Off the Court and Under the Kit

Since Novak Djokovic’s first appearance in UNIQLO at the French Open last May 2012, the tennis ace has had a hand in designing his signature tournament kits, working with UNIQLO’s design team and high-tech fiber manufacturers to create the ultimate performance wear. Sound familiar? Now add innerwear.

While performance wear has influenced ready-to-wear for decades, UNIQLO may be the first brand credited with creating underwear inspired by elite performance wear. Renamed “innerwear,” AIRism is a collection of t-shirts, underwear, boxers, camisoles, tanks, pants and tops for men, women and kids.

This May, Djokovic fronts the ad campaign for UNIQLO’s innovative, performance-driven AIRism collection, along with American Ballet Theatre (ABT) principal dancer, Polina Semionova.

“When I’m playing, the smallest things can get on my nerves,” said Djokovic. “Perspiration is one of them. But now, I don’t worry about it. I feel the perspiration drying instantly. AIRism also fits to the body really nicely and stretches to fit my most strenuous moves. This was a new sensation for me. I totally forgot I was wearing it.”

Developed in Japan, AIRism was born out of a collaborative project between UNIQLO and two cutting-edge fabric manufacturers, Toray Industries and Asahi Kasei. The Djokovic performance wear collection (launched prior to the 2012 U.S. Open) utilized Toray Industries’ advanced technology.

For men’s AIRism, UNIQLO used fibers that are a mere .008 millimeters thick, approximately 1/12 a strand of hair. Tiny spaces in the fabric make it ultra-absorbent and quick-drying, and the increased surface area in contact with air means that moisture is quickly dissipated.

Djokovic says he wears AIRism both, on and off the court, “I don’t just wear AIRism during a match, but also in everyday life. At first, I thought it isn’t necessary to wear anything underneath, but actually, it’s very comfortable to wear AIRism under knits and shirts because it’s very thin.”

For women’s AIRism, UNIQLO incorporated cupro, a derivative of cotton. Known as the breathable fiber, cupro possesses outstanding moisture absorption properties.

Polina Semionova, principal dancer at the ABT, liked the results, “I was excited to try AIRism and experience it in training. I felt like I was born in it. I didn’t feel it on my body and at the same time, it was there.”

Both agree that AIRism’s unique features are the fabric’s stretchiness which allows it to fit snuggly, but not tightly, and a cool-to-the-touch sensation that is smooth and soft against the skin.

Six-time Grand Slam tournament champ thinks it’s alright? Principal dancer of the ABT? Looks like we’ll be getting our AIRism on.

AIRism is available at UNIQLO stores in the U.S., as well as online at UNIQLO.com.