Uniqlo gives the fleece a makeover
Fleece was once a fashion no-no — expensive, dull and pedestrian. But if anyone can get people excited about such a practical basic, it is retail giant Uniqlo, which has enlisted top creative director Nicola Formichetti to give the humble garment a new lease of life.
The "urban fleece" is aimed at the younger generation and comes in a flurry of pop colors, each at a very low price — just under ¥2,000 for the majority of the lineup. To mark the launch, the Uniqlo Shibuya branch is showcasing "Fleece Wonderland," a special installation by artist and designer Yoshikazu Yamagata of WrittenAfterwards fame, the centerpiece of which — a large "Fleece Monster" made from more than 100 fleeces — should make you feel warm and fuzzy for the winter. (S.T.)