There’s nothing new about collaborations between fashion designers with fast fashion retailers but when it births a new fabrication technology, especially from Heattech creator Uniqlo, we should pay attention.
“The idea came from Alex,” Yukihiro Katsuta, Group Senior Vice President of Fast Retailing, who manages and leads Uniqlo’s global research and development told Her World over an interview during the collection’s global press conference in Taipei.
“He said to me, ‘Yuki, maybe we can try to have a natural and synthetic fabric together.’ And I told him, ‘Let’s try’.” Katsuta said, “We succeeded in developing two new fabrications this time round—the sheerest and lightest AIRism for women and the cotton-blend AIRism for men. This would not have happened without Alex. If we had thought about it, we would already have done it!”
We asked Wang how involved he was in the design collaboration and he laughed while Katsuta interjected, “The question should be about what he wasn’t involved in!”
Wang attempted to reply, “This is tough… Maybe the packaging? I even helped to pick the catering. I look at every detail.”
When asked about his favourite pieces, Wang said, “I love that there is so much versatility in these pieces. You can wear them to bed and you can also wear them out, like the cropped tops and bike shorts, which are my favourites.”
Sheerest-ever AIRism fabric for the women’s range
Developed to feel like ‘second skin’, the AIRism fabric allow wearers to enjoy camisoles and slips so smooth, light and comfortable, they almost forget they are wearing them.
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, this new fabric is supportive but not constrictive, making it perfect for innerwear such as bras and bicycle shorts.
First-ever cotton blend AIRism for men
Comprising of a premium cotton finish and an AIRism interior, the men’s collection includes T-shirts and tank tops that are comfortable yet sufficiently thick enough to wear as innerwear and regular outerwear.