Kumakiri, along with patternmaker Masayoshi Toda, Yusuke Wakabayashi, and Tamio Yone started the Beautiful People label in 2007. The line has grown steadily in popularity and the quartet opened their first flagship store in 2011, in Toyko’s Minami Aoyama district. Now you can snag a little bit of designer Hidenori Kumakiri’s genius via his capsule collection for Uniqlo.
I’ve already been shopping the mini-line online. I’m suitably smitten.
My favorite piece from the Uniqlo line is the Cotton Coat, available in natural (my favorite) or blue. Its sleek lines and modern sportswear approach reminds me a lot of the Beautiful People Pre-Spring 2013 collection. I’d pair it with jeans or slim pants for the last days of winter. This spring, this coat will take the chill away from skirts and dresses without stealing the show.
→ Buy the Hidenori Kumakiri for Uniqlo DIP Cotton Coat, $79.90, at uniqlo.com.
This goldenrod-colored 3/4 sleeve sweater (also in red, grey, and natural) looks kind of plain from far away, but has some really interesting detail in the knit up close. The stripes are at kind of an angle and there is a more delicate ribbed detail at the arm holes and hem. Over a crisp white button-down and paired with crops it could vibe offbeat prepster (so Beautiful People), but on its own with a pencil skirt it could head off to work in even a fairly conservative office.
→ Buy the Hidenori Kumakiri for Uniqlo DIP Crew Neck 3/4 Sleeve Sweater, $29.90, at uniqlo.com.
A hoodie is definitely day-off wear, but still worth a second look when it’s this adorable. I like it in basic grey heather… I’m so boring that way.
→ Buy the Hidenori Kumakiri for Uniqlo DIP Sweat Long Sleevehoodie, $29.90, at uniqlo.com.
If you’re down with more severely preppy looks, there are shirtdresses, button downs, and a windowpane-checked polo that comes in a couple standout color combinations. See it all on the Uniqlo site or at your local store (assuming you’re local to NYC or SF). But, I’d make it quick. I’m assuming these fabulous new DIP capsule collections will be selling out fast.
