Four creators testify. Why you can't help but be impressed by UNIQLO's "Inspiring Pants" .
Have you heard of UNIQLO's "Impressive Pants"? The fabric was jointly developed by UNIQLO, textile manufacturer Toray Industries, and UNIQLO's global brand ambassador, professional golfer Adam Scott. and ultra-lightweight. Yet, the appearance is so universal that it could be mistaken for wool slacks or cotton pants. In other words, they are magic pants that make your daily life comfortable on an "emotional" level. The four creators of these pants say they look "great" when they wear them. How did the "Impressive Pants" fit into their lifestyles? We asked them to talk about their impressions in their daily lives and the appeal of the item.
No.01 Mr. Satoyasu Shomura / [ALEXANDROS] Dr. Tatsuya Shomura / [ALEXANDROS] Dr. Tatsuya Shomura / [ALEXANDROS You can immerse yourself in playing the drums with no stress at all.
Satoyasu Shomura is the drummer of the rock band "Alexandros," which has been making great strides since its formation in 2001. He has appeared and headlined at many rock festivals in Japan, and has provided music for a wide variety of TV dramas, movies, and commercials. He released a new album last November and is currently on an arena tour. The tour finale will be held on June 15 and 16 at Saitama Super Arena 2DAYS. He is known as one of the most fashion conscious among the members, having originally worked as a store staff of an apparel brand.
I understand that Mr. Shomura uses not only 's "Impression Pants" but also the "Impression Jacket" together.
village along a (large) riverYes, we have a "moving set-up" in gray, navy, and beige. As for when I wear it, I actually wear it as a stage outfit. I chose the "Kando Pants" and "Kando Jacket" from "UNIQLO" for the arena tour I'm currently on.
I was surprised and surprised that they are for stage use. Why did you select the "Impression Pants" and "Impression Jacket" again?
village along a (large) riverI have always been a big fan of "UNIQLO" and happened to find it at a store, tried it on, and found it to be extremely comfortable. . The most important point in choosing a costume for a drummer is the ease of movement. I was literally impressed by the mobility provided by the stretchiness of the "Impression Pants," and intuitively thought, "This is it! I thought, "This is it!
What are the areas where ease of movement is required for drummers?
village along a (large) river. First of all, it's the movement of the shoulders. How freely you can swing your arms . . The movement of the knees is also important. When you play the bass drum, you have to step on the pedal many times. This item allows me to immerse myself in drumming without any stress at all, because both the jacket and pants fit and follow my body movements. It is truly amazing that this is possible with a set-up. . I have always wanted to wear a setup and perform on stage. . I thought it would have an impact because it is a style that almost no one else is practicing. The "Impressive Pants" and "Impressive Jacket" fulfill that desire.
The "Kando Pants" and "Kando Jacket" have a dry functionality that allows them to dry easily after sweating, but are there any situations where this is useful?
village along a (large) riverI sweat a lot during songs that require intense drum play, but afterwards, when I insert a ballad, I am back to feeling smooth and comfortable before I know it. It keeps my body cool and does not leave a sticky residue when I sweat, keeping me comfortable at all times.
Mr. Shomura used to work in the apparel industry and is said to be an unparalleled lover of clothing. What is the reason for his deep attachment to "UNIQLO" rather than shying away from it?
village along a (large) riverUNIQLO is a standard, basic brand. I am impressed by the fact that UNIQLO has taken the world by storm, and has even established a store in New York City. To me, UNIQLO is like a rock star, and I even admire it. It is a brand that Japan can be proud of, and I can proudly wear it abroad.
The comparison of "UNIQLO" to a rock star is a very musician's point of view and analysis.
village along a (large) riverWhile expanding the base of its standards, it also has a very sharp edge, including various collaborations and challenges to functionality. This is what makes UNIQLO so appealing. I think that those who shy away from this brand probably don't like it because they don't like to eat, but because they don't like to wear it.
I think that the "Kando Pants" and "Kando Jacket" can be conservative when worn as a set-up, depending on how they are worn. Of course, I think it is very possible to wear them in that way, but do you have any particular way of wearing them or any particular style of wearing them?
village along a (large) riverBecause it is so basic, it can be freely tweaked and customized. In my case, I mix and match high-brand items to add a bit of a twist, or I wear an open-collared shirt as an inner layer to give it a slightly badass rock 'n' roll feel. No matter what brands or items are combined, they do not fight with each other at all. I will start my Asian tour in June 2019, and I'm thinking of wearing this "inspiring set-up" on stage.
No.02 Jerry Ukai / Art Director, Illustrator . I think these pants would be totally safe to wear in the mountains.
As an art director and illustrator, Jerry Ukai works on catalogs for apparel brands , CD jackets for musicians, and more. His magazine series led him to become more and more involved in the deep world of the outdoors, and he is well versed in a variety of activities, mountaineering being at the top of his list. At the same time, he is actively involved in "Ultra Heavy" activities with stylist Akira Ishikawa and artist Ryuji Kamiyama. Recently, he has also been expanding his activities as a novelist.
How do you feel about the comfort of the "Impression Pants"?
jellyVery nice . I think the weakness of slacks is that they make you look like a schoolteacher and they feel tight when you sit down. But this one overcomes that weakness. I think it's totally doable for a day trip up a low mountain, and I'd be happy to see more items like this.
What specifically did you like about it?
jellyIt was thinner and lighter than I expected, which was great. Also, I like the fact that I can wash it at home, which is comforting.
jellyYes . I decided on this place as soon as I found it. . It was in shambles at first, but little by little I took care of it and fixed it up myself. . It's a place with steps, so there's a lot of squatting and climbing up and down.
Is that why you are so careful about the clothes you wear?
jelly. ease of movement is very important. But in my case, if the design doesn't fit me, I won't pick it up. There was a time when I used to be particular about specifications, but if I focused only on that, I would end up looking like an athlete.
What kind of clothes do you like?
jellyI like American clothes that are anything but. That said, there was a time when I was in my 20s when I adored beatniks, and I used to play jazz with my friends. Back then, I would wear cardigans with slacks like these, and sneakers on my feet. I like to break up tight clothes.
Earlier, you said, "I can totally wear pants that impress me for a day trip up a low mountain. When you climb mountains, do you choose pants that are both functional and well-designed?
jellyWhen I go into the mountains, I am concerned about making sure that the person I am in the city and the person I am in the mountains do not become different people. I want to go to the mountains as I normally am. I can't go on a three-day, two-night traverse, but I can go on a low-altitude hike in casual clothes. When I watch Jim Jarmusch movies, I see people walking through the woods wearing slacks with a universal design like sensational pants. I think that's totally fine.
I know that "Ultra Heavy," in which Jerry participates, works with a similar concept.
jelly. It's exactly the same thing. Everyone is so concerned about the specs, but haven't you forgotten your true style? That's what I'm saying. Normally, I might change my clothes when I go to the mountains, but I am glad to know that one pair of these pants is all I need.
What do you expect from "moving pants" in everyday situations?
jellyMy daughter has been attending kindergarten since April , and I have been taking her to and from school by bicycle. These pants don't feel tight when I am pedaling, and I can really use them in my daily life. Also, when I go out for a drink with friends, I wear a suit on purpose. I sit on the ground and intentionally get them dirty (laughs). (Laughs) These pants are washable, and I think they will come in handy on such occasions.
No.03 Mr. ZEN / Parkour Athlete Ideally, he should be like a normal guy but actually be able to move.
Parkour is a sport that trains the body through movement by utilizing the surrounding environment, such as handrails and stairs in the city. ZEN, who has been spreading the appeal of parkour through the media and on stage, first encountered parkour at the age of 15, and moved to Los Angeles the following year to train. He is so talented that he entered a world parkour competition only 3 years after starting parkour, and was named as a finalist after passing the qualifying round in first place. He is currently active not only as a performer, but also as a choreographer and model.
ZEN, please tell us how you got into parkour.
ZENWhen I was in junior high school, a friend showed me a video. I was shocked to see that humans could move like this! I was shocked. As I watched their acrobatic dances, which looked like video games and cartoon characters, I became more and more captivated by them.
ZENI liked to play outside , but I didn't do club activities. . so parkour changed everything in my life. As I practiced with my friends in the neighborhood sandbox, little by little I would learn new moves. I think that is a part of human potential that is different from the person I was before yesterday. That was very interesting to me, and I still cherish that feeling.
When did you first develop an interest in fashion?
ZEN. and that's also when I started doing parkour. The clothes they wear are culturally influenced. For example, they sometimes put two pairs of size 3XL sweatpants together to make them thicker in order to emphasize their movements. By the way, I did that once upon a time (laughs). . I became interested in fashion when I learned that there is more to it than just how it looks. Recently, I also like to imagine the designers' intentions when I watch fashion shows.
Do the "Impressive Pants" fit ZEN's style?
ZENOne of the elements I value is "urban. I don't want to make too much of a difference between my practice and my daily life. Parkour is essentially an extension of everyday life in the city. . Naturally, the same is true for the attire. These pants have the look of clean slacks, but they are easy to move in. I was surprised.
Did you have any problems at all moving?
ZENThere is none! It stretches, it's lightweight , and it dries quickly. After moving, I'm more concerned about the stickiness of my T-shirt.
I see.
ZEN. Personally, I would like to pursue an original style that does not lean toward skate or hip-hop. . So my ideal style is to wear clothes designed for, say, a date night, and look like a normal guy, but actually be able to move.
. called "inspiring pants," but we are using a similar name for our worldwide distribution.
ZENThat's what UNIQLO is all about. I was impressed as well, and I will tell my friends overseas about it (laughs). As I mentioned earlier, one of the important cultural elements of parkour is to respect existing styles while pursuing an original attitude. . I would like to explore a new form of parkour by wearing these pants.
No.04 Masataka HABA, President of BACH , Book Director The goodness of uniforms that can be worn safely in any TPO overlaps with the "impression pants".
The job of a "book director" is to select and direct bookshelves in libraries and bookstores. Masataka Haba is a leading figure in this field. After working at Aoyama Book Center Roppongi, he joined J.I. Corporation, an editing production company, and learned editing from Jiro Ishikawa. After becoming independent, he established BACH, of which he is the president. In addition to selecting books for libraries in Japan and abroad, as well as for department stores, hospitals, and zoo libraries, he also edits and publishes books and handles everything related to books, connecting books and people.
As a "book director" whose main job is to select books, do you move around outside the office much?
range (e.g. of voice). perhaps, it is different from the image. We will shape the book selection and presentation according to the required scene, such as a library or bookstore, but it is actually a series of physical labor. First of all, we conduct interview work with actual users when selecting books, and we carry about 50 books in a suitcase. Also, carrying and arranging thousands of books on site to build bookshelves is surprisingly hard work. The only time I can relax is when I am reading in my bedroom (laughs).
Then, it seems that there are many situations in which "inspiring pants" would be useful.
range (e.g. of voice)The stretch makes it easy on my knees. I'm quite happy about this, as my job requires a lot of standing and sitting, which puts a lot of stress on my knees. . Also, it stretches around the waist, so I don't feel stressed. But what I find most interesting is that it is presented in a package that looks like a uniform.
Uniform? School?
range (e.g. of voice)Yes . Uniforms have a mindset element that makes you feel tight, but they are also rather tough and can handle anything. They can be used for studying in the classroom, playing soccer in the schoolyard after school, and even for weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. They can be worn in any TPO, and the ease with which they can be worn overlaps with the "Impression Pants. Of course, these pants are stretchable and dry quickly after washing, so they are much more functional than so-called school uniforms.
In today's fashion scene, functionality tends to be valued as much as or more than design.
range (e.g. of voice)Indeed . It is a matter of course that it should look good, but it is also important to ensure that there are more surprises and pleasures than that. In my work, I have decided not to create a library as a mere interior design. Books are only as good as their potential to be read, and I would never neglect a user-friendly design. In this respect, appearance and function are inseparable. On the other hand, if there are too many functional things in a library, it may lose its freshness.
What does that mean?
range (e.g. of voice). For example, with clothing, I thought that the functional aspect has almost reached the extreme when I put on these pants. Then, I am concerned about items that are not so functional. I am attracted to items that are unbalanced, unbalanced, and contain personal passion, as if it were the grudge of the creator. That is why I would like to enjoy coordinating such clothes with "moving pants".
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