Training and CHANEL

For the past five years, I have been steadily continuing my training. It holds a high priority in my life; if I had to choose between afternoon tea or training in a given week, I would choose training.

The reason is singular: I want to wear CHANEL’s black tweed jacket even when I become a grandmother.

As Karl Lagerfeld once said, “For those trying to lose weight, there is no healthier motivation than fashion.” My motivation is indeed fashion.

What is Mode?

What exactly is “mode”?

The term “mode” originates from the French word “mode” and is used almost synonymously with the English “fashion.” Therefore, I could rephrase my motivation as being fashion.

However, in Japan, “mode” often carries nuances such as:

• Presenting new values and aesthetics through design and ideas, beyond mere trends or practicality.
• Possessing uniqueness that reflects the zeitgeist or social themes while staying a step ahead.
• Incorporating elements of individuality and self-expression, sometimes challenging conventions, influencing not only the wearer but also the observer.

I found a more approachable explanation:

“Mode is fashion that captures half a step ahead of the times and makes someone a little happier through new values.”

Source: WWD Japan

The Power of Mode

“Mode” is imbued not merely with trend-following but with designers’ philosophies, aesthetics, and questions posed to the era, possessing the power to move people’s “now.” It is indeed propelling my present toward the future, making the power of “mode” immensely significant.

“I Want to Be a Chic Hanger”

While continuing my training, I had concerns that increasing muscle volume might make the arms of jackets, tailored to fit perfectly, feel tight.

When I began to see muscle lines as a change in my body shape, I felt both joy and the anxiety that my concern might become a reality. However, according to my trainer, increasing muscle mass, reducing fat, and toning up would actually make it easier to put my arms through the sleeves.

Karl Lagerfeld said that one should question how they appear when wearing clothes, and I realized he was absolutely right.