The second installment of our interview with muller director Shinobu Uchida.
This time, we delve into more personal topics, such as her favorite spots in LA and her own personal styling.
―What are your favorite spots in LA?
Markets are held all over the place on weekends, so I often visit them. There are all kinds, from small ones you can see in about 30 minutes to larger ones that are well worth exploring. There are a lot of great finds, and the patches I used for the "Wrappin' Bag w/Wappen" were things I discovered at a market.
San Clemente, south of LA, was originally a Spanish colony, so it features a cityscape with an exotic atmosphere. I also love Newport Beach because you can feel the vastness of the ocean nearby, and as someone who simply loves the sea, it’s one of my favorite spots. For restaurants, I often go to République and HAUTE CAKES CAFFE.
―Since you love vintage clothing, could you tell us your recommended styling?
My basic philosophy is to combine the new with the old. That’s how I create a sense of "ease." Also, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to place more importance on things like a "clean look."
For example, a vintage T-shirt paired with a linen one-shoulder dress. Actually, the shirt has holes from wear and tear, but by combining it with muller, I can style it so it comes together well.
―Is there anything you are conscious of when styling?
When you're in your 40s like me, there's this tacit awareness that you should "avoid revealing clothes," "can't wear short skirts," or that "because you're X years old, you have to do this." I try not to worry about those "invisible restrictions" that you feel as you get older, and instead think about "how I want to be" when I style myself.
One of the reasons I love it here since moving to LA is that there are people of all ages and genders who are confidently enjoying their own style. It’s so cool when a person’s unique character, honed by their experiences, fits perfectly with their clothes. In that sense, rather than dressing for someone else, I want to enjoy fashion by thinking about how I want to express myself.
―How would you mix vintage and muller?
muller is a brand that originally started with 15 dress styles, and "womanhood" is at the core of the concept. The femininity we envision incorporates elements of elegance. With that in mind, when I think of coordinates, if I'm going for a casual look, I balance it out by wearing heels or pairing it with a sophisticated bag.
―You mentioned you enjoy mixing muller with vintage clothing, but is there any other way you would like to see people wear muller?
I don't have a specific vision of "I want people to wear it this way." Ever since I started the brand, the feeling that has stayed with me is the joy of imagining the clothes I’ve created being welcomed into a customer’s wardrobe. Rather than wearing muller from head to toe, I would be happy if people enjoyed creating new styles by combining them with items they already own.
This is a bit of a tangent, but back when I hadn't been running the brand for very long—I think I was in my late 20s or early 30s—I heard a story through a buyer that I still can't forget.
A woman in her 70s bought a muller dress and asked to have the hem altered. I never actually got to meet her, but I was so touched that a woman who could be my senior in life had chosen to pick up a piece of muller clothing. I really hope people of all generations will pick up our clothes and enjoy styling them in their own unique way.
That concludes our interview with the muller director, Vol. 2.
How was it?
We plan to continue bringing you articles like this from time to time, so please look forward to them!
■ View the items worn here
This time, we delve into more personal topics, such as her favorite spots in LA and her own personal styling.
―What are your favorite spots in LA?
Markets are held all over the place on weekends, so I often visit them. There are all kinds, from small ones you can see in about 30 minutes to larger ones that are well worth exploring. There are a lot of great finds, and the patches I used for the "Wrappin' Bag w/Wappen" were things I discovered at a market.
San Clemente, south of LA, was originally a Spanish colony, so it features a cityscape with an exotic atmosphere. I also love Newport Beach because you can feel the vastness of the ocean nearby, and as someone who simply loves the sea, it’s one of my favorite spots. For restaurants, I often go to République and HAUTE CAKES CAFFE. ―Since you love vintage clothing, could you tell us your recommended styling?
My basic philosophy is to combine the new with the old. That’s how I create a sense of "ease." Also, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to place more importance on things like a "clean look."
For example, a vintage T-shirt paired with a linen one-shoulder dress. Actually, the shirt has holes from wear and tear, but by combining it with muller, I can style it so it comes together well.
―Is there anything you are conscious of when styling? When you're in your 40s like me, there's this tacit awareness that you should "avoid revealing clothes," "can't wear short skirts," or that "because you're X years old, you have to do this." I try not to worry about those "invisible restrictions" that you feel as you get older, and instead think about "how I want to be" when I style myself.
One of the reasons I love it here since moving to LA is that there are people of all ages and genders who are confidently enjoying their own style. It’s so cool when a person’s unique character, honed by their experiences, fits perfectly with their clothes. In that sense, rather than dressing for someone else, I want to enjoy fashion by thinking about how I want to express myself.
―How would you mix vintage and muller? muller is a brand that originally started with 15 dress styles, and "womanhood" is at the core of the concept. The femininity we envision incorporates elements of elegance. With that in mind, when I think of coordinates, if I'm going for a casual look, I balance it out by wearing heels or pairing it with a sophisticated bag.
―You mentioned you enjoy mixing muller with vintage clothing, but is there any other way you would like to see people wear muller? I don't have a specific vision of "I want people to wear it this way." Ever since I started the brand, the feeling that has stayed with me is the joy of imagining the clothes I’ve created being welcomed into a customer’s wardrobe. Rather than wearing muller from head to toe, I would be happy if people enjoyed creating new styles by combining them with items they already own.
This is a bit of a tangent, but back when I hadn't been running the brand for very long—I think I was in my late 20s or early 30s—I heard a story through a buyer that I still can't forget.
A woman in her 70s bought a muller dress and asked to have the hem altered. I never actually got to meet her, but I was so touched that a woman who could be my senior in life had chosen to pick up a piece of muller clothing. I really hope people of all generations will pick up our clothes and enjoy styling them in their own unique way.
That concludes our interview with the muller director, Vol. 2.
How was it?
We plan to continue bringing you articles like this from time to time, so please look forward to them!
■ View the items worn here
■ Profile
muller of yoshiokubo Director
Shinobu Uchida
After working in retail, she moved to New York, where she gained experience in PR and sales. Upon returning to Japan, she worked in sales at a showroom. She has been in her current position since 2007. She works together with her husband to run "muller of yoshiokubo." A mother of two, she has been based in LA since the summer of 2023.
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