Kaws becomes Uniqlo’s first residential artist

Uniqlo naming global clothing retailer InsideThe contemporary artist is known for his reimagined pop culture icons and unique street aesthetics, and it is its first inhabitant artist. The announcement marks a new stage for the brand’s long-term partnership with artists, expanding its partnership beyond its product range and becoming a broader cultural program.

In this newly created role, Kaws will work closely with Uniqlo for various projects in its “all art” philosophy. These include global art events at flagship stores, collaboration with museum partners and shaping new life jacket products. The first life jacket series developed under the guidance of KAWS will be launched in fall and winter 2025.

“I’m excited to take the next step with my long-term partner, uniqlo, to be the brand’s first residency artist,” Kaws explain In the official press statement. “In this role, I hope to use the art world and global creatives to curate the next generation of Uniqlo collaborators. I look forward to creating exciting new lifestyle costumes.”

Kaws: From graffiti to global collaborators

Brian Donnelly, known for his artist nickname, Kaws, has made up for high-end art and pop culture. His breakthrough came in 1999 in Japan, when he introduced his phenomenon companion figure with the cult brand Bounty Hunter. This character – a form like Mickey Mouse with a skull that can emanate the head and face – redefines the world of designer toys and becomes a central theme in his practice, from collectible vinyl toys editions to huge outdoor sculptures on holidays such as holidays such as giant inflatables, huge inflatables, floating on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong in 2019, floating on the art foundation of 2019.

His relationship with Uniqlo can be traced back nearly a decade, starting with the 2016 UT (Uniqlo T-shirt) series. Since then, Kaws has created multiple collaborations for retailers, each of which has sparked a global buzz. Some highlights include the 2017 playful Kaws× Peanuts series, 2018’s Kaws× Sesame Street and 2019’s summer series, which attracted record crowds and sold out almost immediately. Some of the artist’s recent projects include Kaws Tokyo in 2021 for the first time with the accompanying art book in 2023 and with Kaws + Warhol in 2024.

Uniqlo’s Philosophy of All Arts

Uniqlo’s appointment is not only a tribute to past success, but also a reflection of the broader commitment of Japanese brands to make the art work. For more than a decade, Uniqlo has established partnerships with major cultural institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate in London, the Louvre in Paris and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. These collaborations are part of it Life service Concept, clothing and creativity intersect with everyday life.

John C. Jay, president of Fast Retailing Global Creative, the parent company of Uniqlo, emphasized the importance of this chapter. “In our ever-evolving world, art is now more important than ever. “As the artists we live in, Kaws will help Uniqlo expand the global appreciation and engagement of global art and creativity. ”

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