UNIQLO SPECIAL
So, the Danish has the best quality of life in the world according to a report by the American think tank Social Progress Imperative recently. Not surprising coming from a culture who's approach to life is to -- wait for it -- "hygge".
For starters, the word (say "hue-gah") has made it to the English vocabulary. Oxford Dictionary even shortlisted it as the word of the year in 2016, thanks to the number of books about it that popped up and a general interest in that laidback lifestye. To the Danes though, it's really about a well-being-focused approach towards life with comfort and cosiness. Trivia: Danish doctors actually recommend those with a cold to get tea and, you'd guessed it, hygge.
Flash forward to this season and Japanese fast fashion retailer Uniqlo is spreading the word. For this, it turned to the latest Fall collaboration -- and the brand's eighth -- with French style icon Ines de la Fressange. Known for her chic, can-do-no-wrong wardrobe staples, de la Fressange's collection is especially primed for the hygge movement this season.
The 90-piece women's collection comprises loads of sumptuous knitwear like cable knit and Fair Isle sweaters and intarsia colour-blocked pullovers. There is also an emphasis on corduroy which appears on items like mini skirts, suits and Nehru-collared cropped jackets. Topping them off are the idiosyncratic touches such as the signature red stitching around the buttonholes.
But the women are not the only ones to hygge in this collection. For the first time, Uniqlo and de la Fressange has created an 18-piece menswear collection which reflects the same relaxed aesthetic. All the pieces will be stocked exclusively at Uniqlo's Orchard Central store and e-store - the first batch of the collection was launched just last week, with a second batch to arrive on October 20.
Together with Uniqlo, we've gathered our own clique of friends to showcase the spirit of hygge. They are musicians Joanne Cheah and Nicholas Kent Tann from "tropical-pop" band Specific Islander, artist-to-watch Luke Heng, and our very own writer Sofia Kim. Browse through the gallery to see how they channel that movement.
(From left) On Cheah: Polyamide-blend sweater, $49.90, and cotton culottes, $59.90 On Tann: Cashmere sweater, $149.90, and corduroy pants, $59.90 On Kim: Merino wool-blend turtleneck sweater, $59.90 and denim jeans, $59.90 On Heng: Polyamide-blend sweater, $49.90, leather belt, $49.90, and cotton pants, $59.90
(From left) On Heng: Cotton twill trench coat, $199.90, long-sleeve Henley shirt, $29.90, and cotton pants, $59.90 On Cheah: ULD compact jacket, $99.90, cotton long-sleeve shirt, $49.90, and corduroy mini skirt, $59.90 On Kim: wool-blend duffle coat, $199.90, flannel shirt, $49.90, corduroy mini skirt, $59.90 On Tann: Wool-blend chesterfield coat, $199.90, cashmere sweater, $149.90, and wool-blend pants, $79.90
From left: Kim wears rayon wrap dress, $59.90, Cheah wears acrylic-blend vest, $29.90, cotton shirt, $49.90, rayon skirt, $59.90, Heng wears corduroy jacket, $129.90, polyamide-blend sweater, $49.90, corduroy pants, $59.90, Tann wears cotton twill trench coat, $199.90, cashmere crew neck sweater, $149.90, slim fit cotton pants, $59.90, acrylic-blend stole, $29.90
To shop the collection, head down to Uniqlo's Orchard Central flagship store or online.
Like this? Check out our top 10 buys from Uniqlo's latest collaboration with Disney, Christophe Lemaire fans, get ready for a sneak peek of the Uniqlo U Fall/Winter'17 collection and our fashion editor's picks of the upcoming Uniqlo x JW Anderson collection.