First Look: Inside the New Uniqlo at Metrotown

High-designed simple, quality basics in ultra-tech-forward fabrics—cue the stampedes.

It’s finally here! As what can only be described as one of the most highly anticipated store openings of the year (with Muji a close runner-up), Japanese mega-retailer Uniqlo will finally launch in Vancouver on Friday, October 6 at Metrotown.“Vancouver was always at the top of our list,” says Uniqlo Canada COO Yasuhiro Hayashi. And it already seems like the brand, known for their simple, quality basics will fit right in. “We want to be locally connected, to be part of the city,” Hayashi adds. “We’re not here to change people’s lifestyles, we want to be supporting them.”The 20,000-square-foot shop is stocked with perfect-for-Vancouver staples: ultra-light down vests that can be packed into a compact carrying pouch (we already want one for our morning commute); heat-retaining tees and sweatshirts; designer collections from JW Anderson and Hermès artistic director Christian Lemaire—and as the cold weather begins to settle in Vancouver, we can’t wait to layer them all. Take a peek inside the new store below.

Pictures from Uniqlo’s #NaturalUnion campaign can be seen throughout the store; in addition to the Vancouver cityscapes, you’ll see some local faces (Riverdale‘s Hayley Law, Kissa Tanto‘s Joël Watanabe, Tight Club‘s Keighty Gallagher, Thisopenspace‘s Yashar Nejati), all part of Uniqlo’s efforts to better connect with our city.

The JW Anderson collection features bright pops of colour, bold strips and a whole lotta plaid.

The Uniqlo U collection (designed by Christian Lemaire), on the other hand, features timeless fall staples: Merino wool sweaters, water repellent trench coats and on-trend wide-leg pants.

Another nod to Vancouver: viewed from this direction, the Lifewear display features a daytime shot of the harbour, but it’s a nighttime shot of the same landscape that appears when viewed from the other direction. Outfits that can seamlessly change from day to night? Yes, please! Similarly, the other side of the display features views that change from nature to city.