Monday was a big night for Uniqlo. Not only did the company host a star-studded event for its LifeWear collection at the Museum of Modern Art, it also revealed that it has tapped its longtime collaboration partner and popular pop culture artist Kaws to serve as its inaugural Artist in Residence.
In that role the contemporary artist will work with the retailer on the development of its LifeWear products, beginning with the fall 2025 collection. He will also partner with the company and its museum partners to enhance Art for All events at its stores globally.
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Uniqlo has a history of working with artists, designers and other creatives and the new Artist in Residence program will serve to amplify that by introducing new collaborators and creative concepts. It is intended to be complementary to Uniqlo’s global brand ambassadors.
For more than a decade the company has worked to enhance the appreciation of art while educating and increasing public access and engagement through its Art for All program. Among the institutions it has worked with are the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate, the Louvre and the Boston Museum of Fine Art.
“I am thrilled to be taking this next step with my longtime partner Uniqlo to become the brand’s first artist in residence,” said Kaws, who has collaborated with Uniqlo since 2016. “In this role I hope to tap into the art community and global creatives to curate the next generation of Uniqlo. I am looking forward to working on exciting new kinds of LifeWear.”
“In our ever-evolving world, art is now more important than ever as an expression of our humanity. Kaws has been breaking the traditional boundaries of the art world, just as Uniqlo in its efforts to redefine the apparel industry through LifeWear,” said John C. Jay, president of global creative for Fast Retailing, parent of Uniqlo. “As our artist in residence, Kaws will help Uniqlo to expand the global appreciation and participation of art and creativity for all.”
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