Streetwear meets gallery vibes. Global apparel giant UNIQLO has officially announced that KAWS, the contemporary artist behind those instantly recognizable COMPANION figures and pop culture crossovers, is joining the brand as its first Artist In Residence.
In this new role, KAWS will work on art events across UNIQLO’s global flagship stores and with the brand’s museum partners, expanding on the “Art For All” philosophy. More exciting? He’ll also be helping shape future LifeWear collections, with the first drop set for Fall/Winter 2025.
“I’m thrilled to take this next step with my longtime partner UNIQLO,” KAWS said. “I hope to tap into the art community and global creatives to curate the next generation of collaborators.”
UNIQLO says the appointment isn’t just about fashion, but about pushing boundaries of creativity.
“KAWS has been breaking the limits of the art world, just as UNIQLO redefines apparel with LifeWear,” said John C Jay, President of Global Creative at Fast Retailing.
Why this matters
KAWS and UNIQLO go way back. Their collabs are legendary and have sparked hype across the globe:
-
2016: UT KAWS
-
2017: KAWS × Peanuts
-
2018: KAWS × Sesame Street
-
2019: KAWS: Summer
-
2021: KAWS Tokyo First
-
2023: KAWS UT Artbook
-
2024: KAWS + Warhol
Now, as Artist In Residence, KAWS won’t just be dropping tees, he’ll help shape new collaborators, creative concepts, UT Grand Prix competitions, and even future LifeWear products beyond UT.
Translation? Expect bigger things, more culture-crossing moments, and collections that go beyond hype.