We’re back with another director interview this season. We sat down with Uchida, who recently traveled to Europe, to get some tips on her "travel styling."
Q1: Why did you choose these items for your travel styling?
While travel styling depends on the city and the purpose of the trip, I usually prioritize comfort and fabrics that don't wrinkle much when packed.
Although it depends on the destination, I wasn't heading to a resort this time—I was spending time in the city of Rome. I wanted something that was easy to move around in but still had a bit of an edge, so I took my sequin series along for the trip! The mix of elegant sequins with rougher mesh material creates a stylish look with a sense of ease.
A perfect balance that suits the tone of the city
Q2: Are there any must-have items you take on your travels?
Scarves are an absolute essential! They are versatile items that can be worn around the neck, on the head, or tied at the waist, acting as a great accent to any outfit. Being someone who doesn't handle the cold well, I often find it hard to keep up with international air conditioning. I really don't like AC, so I always make sure to carry a scarf.
It’s often a hassle to style my hair while traveling, but just throwing a scarf over my head pulls everything together, and it’s a great way to add a bit of flair to a simple outfit.
Another necessity for me is a relaxing fragrance. This time, I chose Aesop's "Marrakech" to accompany me on my trip.
Wearing a scarf on my head for the day
Q3: What kind of climate or location did you envision for this coordination?
It was a time of year when the mornings and evenings were chilly, so I focused on layering that was easy to put on and take off. Even with a heavier top, the balance of showing some skin through the slits in the pants creates a nice, relaxed look.
Not showing too much skin is also key to enhancing the elegance
Q4: What do you value most when choosing clothing for spring and summer?
Since styling is lighter in spring and summer, I think it’s a season where the cutting and details of the clothes really stand out. I love styling that combines eye-catching silhouettes or detailed items with simpler pieces. I then finish the look by adding accessories or a scarf.
Q5: Besides travel, how can this outfit be worn in other ways?
I styled this with a long top and knitwear, but as summer approaches, I want to wear it casually with a simple tank top or T-shirt!
The balance between the skin visible through the pant slits and the luster of the sequins makes even a simple top look effortless and stylish.
Q6: Is there an episode from your trip where you felt, "I'm glad I brought these clothes!"?
Because the combination of sequins and mesh is so striking, I often had people stop me on the street to tell me how wonderful I looked.
Making the embroidered top the centerpiece of a modern, monochromatic look
Q7: When choosing clothes, do you pay attention to "who you are spending time with"?
Rather than "who" I'm with, I pay more attention to "where" I'm going. On this trip, I visited St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. This year is the rare 25-year occasion when the Holy Door is opened, which I was very much looking forward to. I styled my outfit to match the colors of the historic architecture and cobblestones unique to Europe.
As an aside, TPO (Time, Place, Occasion) is very important. And cleanliness! Even when mixing vintage or secondhand clothing, I never want to forget the importance of a clean, refined appearance.
The Holy Door that opens once every 25 years
Q8: Is there anything you use as a reference for your styling (movies, books, photos, people, etc.)?
In addition to people-watching on the streets, I love movies and draw a lot of inspiration from them. Since I visited Italy and the Vatican this time, the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," set in Europe, came to mind. It’s a story where four women, including those played by actresses Penélope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson, all fall for the same man. I especially love the feminine, yet elegant and sensual charm of Maria Elena, played by Penélope Cruz!
The director's favorite styling continues next time. Stay tuned!
[Click here for worn items]
GLARE SLIT PANTS
Glasses Case in Suede (long)
GLARE LACE-UP TOP
■Director Profile
Shinobu Uchida
After working in retail, she moved to New York and gained experience in PR and sales. Upon returning to Japan, she worked in showroom sales. She has been in her current position since 2007, running "muller of yoshiokubo" with her husband. She is a mother of two. She has been based in LA since the summer of 2023.
Instagram @uchidashinobu