Kaws Named UNIQLO's First Ever Artist in Residence

Monday's big reveal from UNIQLO had the fashion world buzzing. The retailer, known for its enduring partnership with the art community, announced a major appointment: Kaws, the world renowned artist and a frequent UNIQLO collaborator, is its first ever Artist in Residence.

This is a significant move for both UNIQLO and Kaws. The contemporary artist, who has partnered with the brand since 2016, will now play a more central role in the creative process. UNIQLO unveiled the news at an exclusive event for its LifeWear collection, held at the Museum of Modern Art, a fitting venue for a partnership so rooted in accessible art.

Kaws will contribute to the development of UNIQLO's LifeWear products, beginning with the highly anticipated autumn 2025 collection. The artist's new role also extends beyond the design studio. He will collaborate with UNIQLO and its museum partners to enhance the brand's global "Art for All" initiatives, bringing artistic experiences to stores around the world.

This new Artist in Residence programme is a natural evolution of UNIQLO's long standing tradition of working with artists and designers. It's designed to bring in new creative voices and concepts, complementing the brand's existing roster of global ambassadors.

Kaws himself expressed his enthusiasm for the new position. "I am thrilled to be taking this next step with my longtime partner UNIQLO to become the brand’s first artist in residence,” he said. “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.”

John C. Jay, president of global creative for Fast Retailing, UNIQLO's parent company, underscored the importance of the partnership. “In our ever-evolving world, art is now more important than ever as an expression of our humanity," Jay stated. “Kaws has been breaking the traditional boundaries of the art world, just as UNIQLO in its efforts to redefine the apparel industry through LifeWear.” Jay believes that Kaws, in his new capacity, will help UNIQLO expand the global appreciation of art and creativity.

This appointment signals a deeper commitment from UNIQLO to its "Art for All" philosophy. With a creative visionary like Kaws now at the helm of a new program, the future of UNIQLO's collections looks more innovative and artistically driven than ever.

For all the latest updates on this and more, make sure you download The Sole Supplier app.