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"You're fine just the way you are."
It is important to acknowledge that"
What does Sophia think about "self-love"?
Chiyono: Indeed, on the other hand, there may be many people who have a complex identity that they cannot use as an excuse for being a foreigner or half-Japanese, and feel that "I should be like this because I'm Japanese." Of course, it's not just nationality, but also because I'm a woman, a mother, or because I'm xx... So, what does Sophia think self-love is?
Sofia: I think the first thing is to love and accept yourself as you are. It may be very difficult, but you can make an effort to become that way, or change your way of thinking little by little so that you can become that way. I think that in itself is self-love. The second thing is to forgive yourself. Many people have a hard time forgiving themselves for mistakes or failures that hurt someone in the past, and they feel guilty. If you feel guilty, it's hard to forgive yourself. If you can't forgive, it's hard to love yourself. But there's no such thing as a perfect person in the first place. Everyone makes mistakes. It's important to acknowledge that and forgive yourself.
Chiyono: Accepting things as they are and loving them, letting go of past guilt and forgiving yourself. I see, that's right. Anything else?
Sofia: It's also important to take care of both your body and mind in a balanced way. Find what makes you feel good both physically and mentally, including the exercise, food, and clothing you choose, and continue doing it.
Chiyono: When it comes to comfort, everyone has different priorities. For example, for me, I feel excited when my skin is in good condition or when I'm wearing my favorite lingerie, so those are my priorities. But for Sophia and others, it might be completely different. That's why you need to take the time and energy to listen carefully to yourself and what you want and what you're lacking. And then, it's important to make up for the elements that you're currently lacking.
Sofia: That's true. However, in reality, we are all so busy with our daily schedules that we tend to put off listening to our inner voice. Some people have so little time that they barely have time to sleep. That's why I think it's important to make time for yourself first.
Chiyono: Everyone only has 24 hours in a day, so time management is a very important life skill. The first step may be to take the time to listen to yourself and take care of yourself at a comfortable pace, whether that be daily, weekly, or monthly.
Sofia: Many of my clients tend to overcommit on a daily basis. For example, they can't say no when someone asks them to do something. People like that first need to face why they can't say NO. Is it because they're afraid of hurting the other person, or because they're afraid that they won't get something if they don't go? I think it will be easier to secure your own time if you think about what to say the next time you're invited.
Chiyono: It's true that if you push yourself too hard, even cutting into your own time, out of fear that turning down an invitation will make you feel like you've lost out or that you'll never be invited again, it can throw off your balance.
Sofia: That's why you need to remember that your own time is important to you. If you don't have time for yourself, you'll get irritated and take it out on the people you like, and you won't be able to perform at your best. It's important to understand that you can't be your best self unless you make it a priority and secure this time.
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What is Self-Love?
Love, accept and forgive yourself as you are"
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There is light at the end of facing the causes of your complexes
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Chiyono: Some of these may be traditional restrictions or assumptions, such as ideas about chastity, that have been created outside of personal experience.
Sofia: I think many people are afraid that if they suddenly wear sexy lingerie that is different from usual, their partner might not love them or accept them. But if he really loves you, he will love you no matter what you wear, so I want you to realize that this is not the case. What suggestions do you have for such people?
Chiyono: When I say sensual design, I don't just mean the appearance, I also think about the texture and the change in feeling when wearing it. So, the design is orthodox, but I make it so that you can feel the sensuality when the high-quality silk material touches your skin, or if it's a negligee, you can feel the silk fibers all over your body when you walk, and you can feel feminine through the touch. Or the feeling of wearing your favorite color, even if you can't wear it as an outerwear. I listen in detail to the feel of the skin and how you want to look when you look in the mirror, and try to incorporate that into the design as much as possible.
Sofia: Creating lingerie for yourself with Chiyono Anne may be a kind of healing process. I think the brand philosophy has the message that every body is beautiful, every body is worthy of wearing beautiful lingerie, and body shape doesn't matter. This is something that Chiyono herself can say because she has seen the bodies of thousands of women, so it's really convincing.
Chiyono: Indeed, as a brand, we have always been saying that we make lingerie for ourselves, rather than for our partners, and many people actually come to make lingerie as a reward for themselves or to increase their motivation. For such people, by showing their true selves to others (me) and honestly telling them what they like and dislike in an open environment (the atelier), they may realize that the things they felt insecure about are not actually something to be ashamed of. I believe that by looking at the finished lingerie, they can remember the feelings and images they had imagined when wearing it before making it, and get a little closer to the person they want to be, which can lead to self-love.
Sofia's Hint:
Quick Training to Start Self-Love
Daily Affirmations
Chiyono: Finally, could you tell us some tips and methods for easily trying to reset your mind in your daily life?
Sofia: Affirmations are something you can do easily, anytime and anywhere. In other words, positive words. For example, say positive words like "I will take better care of myself" or "I will start to love my body" out loud many times a day. There is always a lot of information flowing through our heads, and the more negative people are, the more negative words they hear. To resist this, repeating positive words to yourself will change your thought process. This has actually been scientifically verified. There are many affirmation videos on YouTube, so I recommend listening to them while commuting. Are you doing anything, Chiyono?
Chiyono: I don't know if I can call it affirmation, but before I go to sleep, I try to tell my partner what happened today and what I'm thinking, as if I'm writing a diary. Even if I make a small mistake, I'll do this next time, or I'll change like this from tomorrow. I also write things down on paper. Because of my job, I often absorb things visually, so I feel like putting things in writing makes it easier to accept them.
Sofia: I think writing it down on paper is a great idea. I also recommend sticking the paper you wrote on somewhere you can see it, or taking a photo of it and setting it as your smartphone wallpaper. Different people find different ways to accept it, so it's best to do it in a way that suits you.
Chiyono: Are there any golden words that you would recommend to people who are new to affirmations?
Sofia: The standard affirmation is "I love and accept myself," but some people reject it, saying, "No, I don't love myself or accept myself." In that case, try arranging it into words like, "I am starting to love myself" or "I am starting the process of loving myself," whatever words resonate with you. Affirmations are concepts, not set words, so feel free to start with words that resonate with you.
Chiyono: It's important to continue using words that are comfortable to you. Can you tell us some tips on how to make it a habit?
Sofia: I do it as soon as I wake up in the morning, so I can start my day with a good feeling. However, everyone has their ups and downs, such as when someone calls me and I feel down, or when the weather is bad and I'm tired, so I set my smartphone alarm for lunch and evening and repeat the affirmation words I've decided. I call it the "joy alarm," and when the alarm goes off, I read out five words three times each. It doesn't have to be out loud, and it shouldn't take more than a minute. If you're conscious of smiling at that time, your mood will stabilize. Just smiling releases happy hormones, so I recommend doing it three times a day as a habit.
Chiyono: It's probably similar to a supplement. It doesn't have an immediate effect, but it gradually permeates all of your cells and before you know it, you start thinking that way.
Sofia: When I first saw the affirmation "I love and accept myself," I thought, "What is this? Isn't this stupid? There's no way I can change just by saying something like this." At the time, I really rejected it, but I still wanted to change, so I tried it.
Chiyono: It's amazing how even people who thought like that can change so much. I've seen it on Sophia's Instagram, but I realized I wasn't doing it for myself. When I'm busy, I tend to put it off, but it doesn't take much time, so I thought I'd try to make it a habit starting tomorrow.
Sofia: I think that there is only one person who will always be with you in your life, and that person is yourself. Because you are the only person you will be with for the rest of your life, I want everyone to improve their relationship with themselves, cherish themselves, and create a happy life.
Based on the theme of "Borderless," Chiyono Anne's "Silk Pajama Set" is an item that can be used seamlessly across various boundaries such as gender, age, and body type.
Another plus is that it can be worn in any situation, whether it's relaxing at home, going out or dressing up, depending on how you coordinate it.
This time, together with my friend Sakiko, the director of ADELAIDE, I will be introducing borderless styles for the Silk Pajama Series.
In the photo, she is wearing a men's trench coat.
Find your favourite colour!
Have you found your favorite shade?
"Pajamas are only for sleeping"
Sometimes it's best to forget about that notion and try adding it to your own unique outfit!
Clothing has various meanings and roles for the outside world and for the inner self. It can also be said that each piece of clothing has its own unique "border." For example, a uniform presents the wearer's role and occupation to the outside world. Since a uniform can only be worn by people with that role, it can be said that there is a border there.
As women living in society, we dress ourselves in a way that is in line with what is considered to be a certain way or desirable depending on our position (although the degree of this varies from person to person). These standards include age, occupation, and sometimes marital status. Depending on our position, we are subject to society's demands that we should be roughly within a certain range, even if it is not clearly stated.
I find myself unconsciously conforming to these demands to look "right" and appropriate to who I am. I'm a designer, so I have to look fashionable, and I have to look fashionable.CEOSo I had to look professional, not childish as a woman in my early 30s, but also not too old...etc.
At the same time, fashion can of course cross these boundaries and become a means of self-expression and individuality that escapes the oppression of societal standards for appearance. There are many women who enjoy creatively creating and expressing their own style and appearance.
Among them, the type of clothing I've been interested in recently is pajamas.
Originally, pajamas were worn while sleeping. At best, they were considered room wear. However, the latest fashion trends inspired by pajamas are expanding the boundaries of pajamas in one fell swoop. There are differing opinions on what constitutes pajamas, but I think the common condition for pajamas is that they are "comfortable to wear." There are many different fabrics, cuts, fit, and colors, but pajamas are all comfortable to wear. And they are relaxing. So, what if we could make that comfort available all day long?
The simple yet elegant and sophisticated design is suitable for all ages, social status and genders.TPOIf that's the case, a simple, high-quality pajama shirt can be worn in any situation depending on how it's combined with other clothes and how it's coordinated.20From the 1960s80Clothes that can be worn by women of all ages and above. Clothes that all men, regardless of age, can wear in the same natural way and enjoy wearing comfortably. I believe that this is what can be called the most borderless type of clothing.
We hope that our silk pajama sets will help you experience a relaxing, high-quality, and comfortable experience in your daily life.
Please let us know your thoughts and opinions.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Anne Chiyono xx
We assign many references and meanings to our clothing, both pointing outwards to the world and inwards to ourselves. These can also be considered as “borders” assigned to the pieces of clothing. For example, by wearing a uniform, we are presenting our profession to the world. The uniform is only accessible to people in that field, so that is the border of that item.
As women in this society, we present ourselves (to a degree which differs for every woman) in accordance with the ideals and expectations our society places on us. How we are “supposed” to look and dress. This can depend on our age, profession, even marital status. There are subtle but certain borders in the range of what is “acceptable presentation” for each genre of women.
To be “proper” or be seen as respectable, I sometimes even catch myself molding my appearance to what is apparently appropriate for me: I am a designer, so I have to look fashionable, but I am also a CEO so I have to look professional, I am in my early 30s so I have to look not-too-young, not-too-old, etc.
Of course, fashion can be a break from these borders, an escape from these societal standards in our appearance and translate as a form of self-expression and individuality. Creating, curating, and controlling our own style and overall appearance liberates and excites many of us.
Another garment which I have come to be interested in is the Pajama.
Traditionally, the pajama is exclusively sleepwear, or at least room-wear. However, the recent years of pajama-inspired fashion trends has made the borders of where it is acceptable to wear pajamas more malleable. There could be many interpretations of what defines a Pajama, but I believe all interpretations include “comfort”. Whether it be the fabric, the cut, the fit, or the color palette, pajamas are all comfortable, and comforting in some way.
But't it shouldn't be acceptable to carry that feeling of comfort all throughout the day?
This is where my chain of thought began of which piece of clothing can be the most “borderless”. With the right styling and coordination with other garments, I couldn't think of a general social situation where it is totally unacceptable to wear a simple , good quality “pyjama” shirt. An elegant and understated design can transcend age and social groups, and even flow seamlessly through gender groups and TPO expectations. I wanted to create a piece that can be worn by a woman in her 20s through to 80s , or even a man in in the same age range and still look natural and provide that feeling of comfort.
Through our new “Silk Pajama Set”, I hope to enrich our customers day-to-day ease and quality of comfort. I hope you enjoy wearing our new product, and I look forward to your feedback and any thoughts you may have in return for us at Chiyono Anne!
Thank you for reading to the end.
Anne Chiyono xx
How do you deal with your complexes?
Kaori:It's true that some people say, "I can't go until I lose weight." The gym should be a chance to change your body or something, but the idea that you can't go until you've changed because you feel embarrassed is a bit off.
Chiyono:That's right. I don't make lingerie to show off your perfect body, but rather to help you love your body as it is now, to feel more grateful for it, and to take care of it. I want people to embrace and cherish themselves as they are now.
Kaori:Whether good or bad, you are unique at that time. Women especially have menstruation, and in parallel with the cycle of their physical condition, various flows such as their work and lifestyle come on top of it. In such a fluctuating day-to-day life, it is important to know how to accept yourself as you are. In that sense, I think that a unique item like Chiyono Anne's lingerie can act as a talisman. It is always closest to your body, and only a limited number of people with a personal relationship can see it. That's why I think it's so wonderful to wear something that makes you think, "This is what I'm going to do today."
Chiyono: Thank you! By the way, do you have any complexes about yourself?
Kaori:In my case, it's my height. I played basketball up until college, and if you're over 170cm, you're seen as a big guy off the court. My clothes didn't fit me at all, and I used to intentionally slacken my posture to make myself look shorter. Also, I had a really toned butt from playing basketball, and it didn't bother me overseas, but in Japan, I felt like it was weirdly noticeable, and I was conflicted because I thought a smaller butt would be prettier.
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Whether good times or bad, you are unique at that time.
It is important to know how to accept your existence as you are"
The two people's method for "positive thinking"
Chiyono: When did your way of thinking start to change?
Kaori:It's probably been about the last two or three years. Before that, I would often try to understand what others thought of me and what they wanted, but when COVID-19 came and everything stopped, I had to change, and as a result, I feel like my awareness has changed too.
Chiyono:In my case, when I find myself thinking that I wish I was more like this, I make a list of the things I've been able to do because of this body to bring my attention back to myself. I've become conscious of being grateful for my current situation, but at the same time telling myself that I'm still incomplete, and turning it into motivation to say, "I couldn't do this this year, but I'll definitely do it next year."
Kaori:That list is wonderful.
Chiyono:I also try to focus on what I can do thanks to this body, not on its shape but on its functions. It doesn't have to be something amazing. I think it helps me a lot to remember the basic things, like how I can move freely every day, work, and eat delicious food thanks to this body.
Kaori:People tend to focus on what they couldn't do, but it's very important to look at what you can do now. I feel like many women check themselves negatively, saying things like, "I'm no good here, I'm no good there," or "I'm inferior to that person," so it's definitely a good idea to make a positive checklist. I think that ultimately it will lead to accepting yourself.
Chiyono:Kaori, if you come across someone close to you or a customer who is struggling, how do you deal with them?
Kaori:I try to guess how a customer is feeling today by the atmosphere when they come in. For example, when you're irritated, your heart rate goes up. In those cases, rather than encouraging them with movements that will increase their heart rate, I create a menu with simple movements and training that requires them to breathe slowly to calm them down. Conversely, for those who are feeling down, I first do training that will increase their breathing to burn off energy, and then I tell them that it's okay to let it out if they can. In this way, I feel like I'm following the balance between the mind and body. How about you, Chiyono?
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When you find yourself thinking, "I wish I was like this,"
In order to bring your awareness back to yourself, make a list of all the things you have been able to do in this body up until now."
Chiyono:In my case, I first try to think of ways to do fittings. Some people write that they are not confident about their bodies before making a reservation, so in those cases I move the mirror a little further away and measure their dimensions quickly and accurately. From there, I immediately move on to talking about the design, and in order to help them forget about inferiority complexes and embarrassment and expand their dreams in a positive way, I ask them in depth questions about their favorite colors and how they want to feel when wearing it. Rather than focusing on the shape and size of their body, I value how they feel when wearing it. For example, since Chiyono Anne's products are mainly made of silk, I try to focus on the positive aspects such as the comfort of having your skin wrapped in silk, the feeling that it fits your body properly, the careful support of your bust, and the unique overall comfort. It would be great if you could let go of your complexes and negative thoughts about your body and think that it is "fun" to talk about yourself as you are and what kind of lingerie you want. All that's left is to work hard to make the product exactly as you want it to be.
Kaori:It's very important to be sympathetic to the other person's image. Many people focus on their weight as the purpose of going to the gym, but I try to ask them about the image they have when they reach their target weight. I listen to whether they can become that image if they achieve their target weight, and what they want to do when they become that image, and then I think about the best menu each time. I face customers one-on-one, but it's the customers themselves who actually do it. In the extreme, we can't do anything. For example, we are like a car navigation system. If you enter your destination, we can suggest several routes, whether it's the local or the highway, but sometimes people who choose the highway don't get it right and change their route to the local roads, and some people can get there smoothly, but some people drive in the wrong direction or stall and wait for the JAF. Anyway, I think it's all about thinking about what's best for each day and making suggestions. Also, it's difficult to spend every day at 100 points, so if you work hard for about five days, you should eat what you like and spend two days doing what you like. It's very important to know what makes your body happy. There are many supplements, but if you detox once, your body will be cleansed. The first step in supporting a child is to subtract rather than add, and to get rid of what is unnecessary before adding what is truly necessary.
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It is important to know what makes your body happy.
Very important"
Chiyono:It's reliable. That's what it means to listen to your body. Instead of just putting in things that are considered good, think about what you really need. However, it takes a lot of courage and confidence to make that decision, so it's also connected to self-love. Among my customers, there are quite a few who worry about the change in the shape of their breasts after giving birth and breastfeeding, or the area around their stomach after giving birth, but I think that such changes are not something to be ashamed of at all, and that it's not a "bad" look or shape, and that it's natural that they will change from their previous self because they have become a mother. Because children grow thanks to those breasts, I think they are truly precious. Of course, if you want, you can put in wires to push up or correct them, but rather than just correcting them and making them "beautiful," I try to make positive use of the fact that I have these breasts, and correct their shape as a finishing touch at the very end, because the current state is beautiful in the flow of a woman's life. I hope that it will be a time to return to yourself, and that it will be an opportunity to start a new self-love from there, or an opportunity to find a new self or the person you want to be. From the moment you come across your favorite colors and fabrics and think together about the design that will make your dreams come true, to the moment you wear the completed lingerie, it's an exciting experience. As the years go by, you can have it repaired if necessary and use it with care. I hope that these experiences will become like a talisman that shines brightly in your life, and that even when you become a grandmother, you can pick it up and remember "This is what I was like back then."
Kaori:In that sense, these bespoke items that allow you to mark each stage of your life are great because they mark who you are now and remind you of what you were like at that time by wearing them.
Chiyono:Although Kaori and I each have different approaches to interacting with customers, I feel we have a lot in common in that we build relationships that are like one-on-one life partners.
Kaori:Many of my customers remain beautiful without ever forgetting their femininity, and I think this lingerie is one of the elements that makes them beautiful. Even if they have a boyish appearance, they choose feminine underwear that others can't see. It's the only part of them that can't be seen from the outside, so they can be the most honest with themselves. I think that because it's something that's so close to them, many people stay in contact with us for a long time.
Kaori's Hint:
Quick Training to build a body that looks good in lingerie
Hint ① Under Band Training
Chiyono:Finally, I would like to ask you to share some exercises that our readers can easily do at home. A common problem with customers is that the underside of a bra needs to be tight enough to support the breasts, but if it is too tight, it digs into the flesh at the sides and creates a gap. Are there any exercises that can easily tone up the back and sides?
Kaori:For a simple one, reach your hands back and twist your thumbs outward from the base of your shoulders. Then bring them back and twist them again. If you do this while pulling your arms back as far as possible, you will also pull your upper arms, which will make your chest feel open. After doing this a few times, your shoulders will naturally drop.
Chiyono:It also helps correct slouching. Your neck will look slimmer and your bust will be in a better position.
Kaori:Then, just stretch your back. Stretch your arms straight up and then drop them straight to the side. They will fall smoothly. I think it will look nice if your shoulder blades are open.
Hint ② Hip Training
Chiyono:Another problem is around the hips. If the position of the pelvis is misaligned and the stomach sticks out, it can be difficult to maintain a beautiful shape of the hips. Is there a reset technique that can lift the hips by returning the pelvis to the correct position?
Kaori:If you often sit at a desk, the area around the base of your legs is often stiff. In that case, I recommend putting one foot on a chair, placing your weight on your front leg, and stretching it out. Be aware of stretching the base of your thigh. For advanced users, it is more effective to bend the leg stretched out behind you and pull it towards your back.