Vogue x Uniqlo: For the love of linen

For the love of linen, I will tolerate wrinkles, ironing and yes, that slightly rumpled appearance. I have always loved the subtle sheen of this natural fiber and how it feels so refreshing and light against my skin.

Linen quickly brings to my mind the season of spring in Italy, and seeing those very chic Italians in their linen outfits — creased, of course, in all the right places. But those wrinkles are the bragging rights of linen, a fabric Europeans know how to appreciate. Italian fashion designers have always put a big premium on this material.

Linen clothes, like flowers, herald the arrival of spring and summer. Made from the flowering flax plant, which yields fibers producing a smooth and luxurious sheen, linen is at once an extravagance and a practicality. This natural fiber breathes and is perfect in the perpetual heat of the tropics.

Linen is an ancient fiber, and was prized in Egypt as far back as 3000 BC. Back then, only the Egyptians knew how this precious fabric was loomed. The Phoenicians even paid for the sturdy linen that they used for the sailcloth of their ships with gemstones. Through these traders, the fabric made its way to Greece, then to Rome and the rest of Europe.

The best linen is, in fact, sourced from Europe, especially from France, Belgium and the Netherlands whose coastlines provide the damp atmosphere the flax plant likes. Since the plant requires no irrigation, its cultivation is easy and sustainable.

Seeds are sown in the spring and a hundred days later the flowers bloom for just a day. The plants are then pulled up and left to ferment in the fields before they are processed to separate the longer from the shorter fibers.

The premium linen line of Uniqlo uses the longer fibers exclusively for their superior softness. Even if the fabric has a pricey image, Uniqlo offers this warm-weather staple using high quality linen from Western Europe. With temperatures that seem to have soared so suddenly, it’s time to take a look at Uniqlo’s new premium linen line.

Recently, Uniqlo partnered with Vogue Philippines for a Fireside Chat at Manila House to talk about linen, which is becoming more and more popular with Filipinos despite the creasing and the wrinkles.

“This is a story that aligns with our shared values, the celebration of natural beauty, simplicity and authenticity,” says Pam Quinones, fashion director for Vogue Philippines, of the collaboration with Uniqlo. “It’s beautiful to wear something that feels so natural. When the creases start forming, the linen pieces feel looser and casual. Creases add character and show that it’s lived in; creases add more style.”

“Linen transports you to the idea of travel even if you’re in the city,” she adds. “I really like it that when you feel the linen, it takes you to this space where it reminds you to take a pause. It feels like an escape, even if you’re in the middle of this urban jungle.”

Reichelle Vergara, head of PR and Sustainability, Uniqlo Philippines, adds, “Especially for the Philippines, it’s really fit to wear linen at any time of the year because of its breathability. We built our pieces so that you can wear them from day to night.” For versatility, she points out Pam’s outfit, where a men’s linen jacket has been turned into a shawl.

“I like to mix menswear and womenswear to add that bit of tension, so that it doesn’t look so expected,” explains Pam.

For Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Uniqlo’s linen collection suits her hands-on lifestyle. She likes clothing that can take her from walking her dog to the grocery to a meeting.

“I look for pieces that have that instant ‘oomph’ when it comes to styling,” she says. “I like pieces that are effortless and I found that the linen collection of Uniqlo, when it comes to the dresses and the long-sleeve shirts, they all just sit on you, they move with you, they breathe with your body so you’re always in constant motion with them. That’s so essential for me because I can’t feel confident without comfort.”

Jasmine thinks the creases of linen tell a story and advises to read the care label.

As for Pam, she says, “Three fourths of my wardrobe are hard-working essentials that I can mix and match, I can layer, I can wear over and over again. That’s where the Uniqlo linen button-down shirts come in. I like wearing them in different sizes. If I want a super tailored look I’ll do the sizing in small. Sometimes, when I want it easy and relaxed and a looser silhouette, I go for the menswear collection or an oversized XXL.”

On the sidelines of the Fireside Chat, I spotted celebrity chef Josh Boutwood who told me, “We’re loyal Uniqlo fans from head to toe. All my workwear is Uniqlo, all my casual wear is Uniqlo. I put a shirt under my apron and that’s my uniform. Today, I went to Uniqlo with my wife, we had to do a bit of shopping for our youngest son. I saw these Star Wars T-shirts so I grabbed a couple of those. There’s something for every occasion and I absolutely love that about Uniqlo.”

Uniqlo’s linen collections include, apart from the Premium Linen, pieces made from linen blends and linen cotton. Linen blend is linen combined with hybrid nylon yarn while linen cotton uses the shorter linen fibers blended with cotton.

Caring properly for your linen pieces will guarantee them a long lifespan. Here is the proper way to clean your linen pieces, according to Uniqlo:

? First, turn the item inside out.

? Use a laundry net to avoid friction and wrinkles.

? Wash in cold water and avoid harsh detergents. Add fabric softener.

? Stretch and smooth out wrinkles by hand before air drying.

? Hang dry and avoid direct sunlight.

? Iron on low heat while still damp, and put a cloth over the linen item before ironing to prevent gloss.

“What we wear on our bodies affects our well-being,” notes Pam Quinones. “Linen is good for the planet because it’s biodegradable. It’s a circular fabric because when it fits you well, it can be used for a long time.”