Her GadgetMatch

Uniqlo S/S 2021: Style and Comfort in the New Normal

Published

January 28, 2021

There’s no need to sacrifice style for comfort — especially in the new normal. Uniqlo’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection is focusing on just that with artistic director Christophe Lemaire marrying innovation with modern silhouettes. We may not be going out as much but that doesn’t mean expressing ourselves through fashion has to go out the window.

Neutral tones and classic cuts make for sophisticated clothing that you can take from your home office to quick errands and walks — as long as you wear your masks, of course. Personally, this writer is quite smitten with the use of sheer fabrics that add a touch of elegance to the whole collection.

But wait — there’s more when it comes to this season’s line up and we’re sharing the preview with you. Here’s what you should be expecting from the clothing technology company.

Jason Polan UT Collection

A partnership that started in 2016 continues even after the passing of designer Jason Polan in January 2020. The New York artist, known for his ambitious work of drawing every person in the city using his pen and notepad, will have some of his sketches featured in the latest collection.

It will also feature drawings from his time in Tokyo that gave us his sketches of giraffes, hamburgers, and tigers. The collection will be available in Uniqlo stores all over the Philippines on 15 February 2021.

Transition Wear

This season also brings clothing that adjusts with you. Keeping you warm when it’s nippy and cool when it’s scorching. The LifeWear line stays true to its functional and practical cause with pieces that move with you. Notable pieces include pieces that incorporate the brand’s new Dry-Ex technology. It dries sweat and moisture quickly, making it perfect for your home workouts.

Uniqlo’s AIRism fabric tech which keeps you feeling fresh as you sweat is also moving to your sheets. No more waking up in the middle of the night — drenched in sweat — during humid Manila summer nights.

Wireless Bra Shape Lift

They say the best feeling after a long day is coming home and taking off your bra. During the new normal, some would say you don’t even have to wear one. But how can you have a wider frame for your Zoom meetings and rock those new tops you never got to wear out? Wear that bra and forget the possibility of pain.

The Japanese global apparel retailer is also launching a Wireless Bra Shape Lift. A bra designed to sculpt and shape the bust without the pain and discomfort of having wires dig around your chest area the whole day. It raises the upper bust area to create attractive cleavage while retaining a light and comfortable fit.

It also has matching panties because nothing says you have your life together other than matching underwear — even when you’re just staying at home.

Ines dela Fressange: Deauville Remembrances

The Uniqlo line this writer waits for every season is definitely Ines dela Fressange’s. Her pieces are always so chic and timeless. This year’s inspiration is Deauville — a refined seaside resort in northwestern France to which Parisians flock in summer which was a notable fashion town in the early 20th century. In fact, it’s where Coco Chanel opened her first boutique in 1913.

Cool pastels dominate this collection along with classic French cuts that pay tribute to an elongated silhouette.

JW Anderson: British Heritage Meets LifeWear Innovation

Jonathan Anderson is also back for another season with pieces that reflect arts and crafts. There’s light linen, cotton, and other naturally textured fabrics in smoky hues. Blanket stitching, floral embroidery, and smocking give the collection a vintage touch.

Hana Tajima Collab

The collaboration with this New York-based fashion designer focuses on cultural diversity and elegant styling that will go with women of all ages.

Photos from Uniqlo

Accessories

Dyson Airstrait: Hair straightening with air, not heat

Less heat, less damage

Published

March 27, 2024

Her

People may now straighten hair without worrying about heat damage. Dyson has launched the new Dyson Airstrait hair straightener, ushering a new era in hair straightening. As the product name suggests, this innovative tool introduces a new way to straighten hair using just air.

The Airstrait has a simple wet-to-dry straightening process. Airflow is accelerated through the two arms’ 1.5mm openings, creating a high-velocity downward blade of air at a specific angle. This creates a controlled downward force to straighten hair simultaneously as it dries.

With the tool, stylers can achieve a naturally straight and shiny finish that maintains the hair’s strength and healthy look. The Airstrait also speeds the process up by about 25%. What’s best is there is no heat damage, unlike traditional straighteners.

Designed for multiple hair types

The Airstrait runs on a specifically-engineered Hyperdymium motor, a 13-blade impeller that spins up to 106,000rpm and generates 3.5kPa of pressure. Like Dyson’s hair care range, the Airstrait features intelligent heat control that measures the airflow’s temperature to ensure there is no damage.

Users may switch between two styling modes: Wet and Dry. The Wet and Dry modes are pre-set with specific heat and airflow combinations for the best results. A Cool mode is also available to set the style. Moreover, the airflow control has two speed settings, low and high. Drying, meanwhile, can be set to cold shot or root drying.

The science

Dyson has constantly invested a lot financially in research and technology development to craft innovative products in its specific industry. In creating the Airstrait, Dyson engineers studied every detail, from airflow dynamics to hair structure. They also considered thermal, mechanical, and chemical damage and their effects to hair health.

In the end, the Airstrait works based on one key principle. In styling hair to a new shape, hydrogen bonds from each hair strand are broken down. Traditionally, this is done through heat or moisture. But Dyson came up with a tool that just lets water weaken the hydrogen bonds, and then style hair with the optimum level of heat and controlled airflow.

Price, availability

The Dyson Airstrait is available starting April 16 in two colorways: Bright Nickel/Rich Copper and Prussian Blue/Rich Copper. It is priced at PhP 33,900.

Those interested in preordering may already do using this link: Dyson Airstrait

Her GadgetMatch

Filipina who created Window Garden joins Google Play program

More indie games to come?

Published

March 24, 2024

Her

Filipina-owned CLOVER-FI Games is taking the next step to build more accessible mobile games through Google Play. One-woman developer and publisher Camilla Santiago is representing the country at Google Play’s Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program this year.

Her CLOVER-FI Games studio is behind hit local game Window Garden. The idle game lets players plant and decorate their own virtual indoor garden while relaxing in chill vibes, lo-fi music, and a cottagecore aesthetic. It was released in October 2021, back when Santiago learned app development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Windows Garden has since amassed a million downloads. In almost three years, it has been received well by gamers with a 4.7 rating based on more than 8,200 reviews.

Google Play IGA

The Google Play IGA is a 10-week course designed for high-potential indie game studios. The program allows these startups to access the best of Google’s programs, products, people, and technology to be able to build and improve a successful organization.

The last Philippine representative in the program was Ranida Games, which had created one-on-one fighting game Vita Fighters. Through IGA, the title received benefits, allowing the developers to improve it.

Like Ranida Games, Santiago’s CLOVER-FI Games is just getting started. Her studio’s goal is to ultimately create more cozy-themed games that are accessible to everyone through mobile platforms.

With the help of the IGA, Santiago will be equipped with the necessary skills and experience needed to create another potentially successful title just like Window Garden. We can only wait as she empowers Filipinas through her craft.

Her GadgetMatch

Dyson unveils ‘most intelligent hair dryer’ yet

The Supersonic Nural

Published

March 18, 2024

Her

During its global launch event in Seoul, South Korea, Dyson has unveiled its “most intelligent hair dryer” yet: The Dyson Supersonic Nural.

The styling tool harnesses Dyson’s new automatic Nural sensor technology to protect scalp health and enhance hair’s natural shine.

One of the Dyson Supersonic Nural’s key features is a Scalp protect mode which is activated by the Nural sensors.

This automatically reduces the dryer’s heat as it nears a person’s head, protecting the scalp from damage. The process is done by having the sensors recognize when the dryer is already nearing the person’s head.

In addition, the Supersonic Nural’s LED light automatically changes under Scalp mode, depending on the distance from the head. Users will see yellow for low heat, orange for medium heat, and red for high heat, for convenient usage.

Moreover, the tool intelligently remembers your last used heat and airflow settings and will apply them the next time it is in use.

Price, availability

The Dyson Supersonic Nural comes in two color palettes: Ceramic Patina and Topaz or Vinca Blue and Topaz.

The entire package will come with five attachments, including two new ones: