The day after Uniqlo unveiled “The Art and Science of LifeWear” at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle was invited to an intimate round of interviews with the brand’s leaders. From Koji Yanai, who is the senior executive officer of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo’s parent company), to Toray Industries president Mitsuo Ohya and Uniqlo’s creative director Clare Waight Keller, the discussions revealed how style and science work together to support both lifestyle and sustainability.

“Our corporate principle is to contribute to society by continuously innovating in the realm of clothing,” shares Koji. These words serve as a guiding principle to every employee at work. “We are not chasing trends or luxury—we want to be a brand that makes everyday life better through clothing..”

Koji also noted how much they value customers. “We want to be recognized as the apparel brand that listens seriously and carefully to customers’ voices. We receive 30 million comments a year, and those voices directly influence our clothing and stores.” He also pointed out that younger generations expect more, “Good clothing is no longer just about fabric, design, or color—it must also include sustainability. We need to address those issues in our supply chain to earn their trust.”

Turning these insights into tangible creations, Uniqlo works closely with partners like Toray Industries. “We continue to make these innovations not just for fashion, but to make daily life more comfortable and more sustainable,” Mitsuo adds. “Our partnership with Uniqlo allows us to apply our textiles in a way that reaches people everywhere.”

“Every five years, our partnership delivers a flagship innovation—lightweight thermal innerwear Heattech is the first, and many more since. As Uniqlo grows globally, we expand our footprint across Asia to support them,” says Mitsuo, mentioning other milestone releases like breathable and moisture-wicking Airism and feather-light jackets under Ultra Light Down.

While Mitsuo explains the science behind the textiles, Clare brings them to life in designs that offer functionality and style. “Lifewear is about creating things better for every day. I have to look professional but feel comfortable. That’s the balance I bring into Uniqlo—distilling runway aesthetics into essentials.”

Having worked with high-end fashion houses has also helped Clare refine her approach to functional fabrics. “My experience in luxury taught me to understand how natural fibers work. At Uniqlo, I apply that into developing new technological fabrics. It’s like working with the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of fabric.”

She also emphasized Uniqlo’s focus on practicality. “I owned wool jackets that weighed three kilos. Today, I want something hyper-light that I can fold into a suitcase, unpack, and it still looks great. That’s where Uniqlo finds its place.” This combination of fashion sensibility and material innovation makes LifeWear a real-life solution.

“We are not making clothes for a season. We are making clothes for your life. That’s why we call it Lifewear,” Koji emphasizes. From innovative textiles to versatile everyday pieces, Uniqlo delivers style, comfort, and sustainability. Having global ambassadors like Cate Blanchett also demonstrates how it has become part of culture. As Koji put it, “It’s not just clothing, it’s a way to connect with people everywhere.”