From UT Collabs to Global Creative Direction: KAWS Joins UNIQLO in First Artist-in-Residence Role

The Fall/Winter 2025 season marks a new era for UNIQLO LifeWear, with KAWS shaping product design, exhibitions, and global art engagement.

UNIQLO has announced that world-renowned artist and designer KAWS will be its first-ever Global Artist in Residence, marking a significant evolution in the brand’s longstanding relationship with the contemporary art world.
This new role expands KAWS’ collaboration with UNIQLO far beyond product design. For the upcoming Fall/Winter 2025 season, he will contribute to every layer of the LifeWear ecosystem from limited-edition apparel and graphic art to global exhibitions, cultural storytelling, and creative activations across UNIQLO’s retail platforms.

The announcement was made ahead of UNIQLO LifeWear Day in Tokyo, a global event where the company showcases upcoming collections and brand innovations. In celebration of the announcement, a limited-edition KAWS UT collection featuring three T-shirt designs and a special art book was unveiled and released globally on the same day.

“This new position gives me an incredible opportunity to explore creativity in unexpected ways,” said KAWS (Brian Donnelly). “I’ve always appreciated UNIQLO’s democratic approach to art and design, and I’m excited to build on that with a new level of depth and impact.”
The Artist in Residence program aims to bring a deeper sense of cultural relevance and artistic integrity to LifeWear UNIQLO’s guiding concept of creating simple, high-quality clothing for everyone. By formalizing KAWS’ creative involvement, UNIQLO is reinforcing its commitment to merging global fashion with art, accessibility, and personal expression.

With this announcement, UNIQLO is not just extending a collaboration, it is institutionalizing art as part of its product philosophy. KAWS’ influence will span UT graphics, store installations, future product lines, and curated art experiences across markets, further cementing UNIQLO’s unique positioning at the intersection of lifestyle and visual culture.

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