KAWS takes on an official role that includes product development, event curation, and scouting the next generation of creative partners.
Summary
- KAWS has been appointed as UNIQLO’s first Artist in Residence, formalizing a long-term creative partnership.
- The new position expands the artist’s role beyond T-shirt designs to include developing other LifeWear products and curating future talent.
- The first collection from KAWS in this new capacity is scheduled for the Fall/Winter 2025 season.
UNIQLO and KAWS are taking their creative relationship to a new stage. The global retailer announced that the contemporary artist, known for his subversions of pop culture figures, has been appointed its first Artist in Residence. The move solidifies a partnership that has produced a series of popular T-shirt collections since 2016.
The new position extends the artist’s influence beyond graphic tees. As Artist in Residence, KAWS will contribute to the development of future LifeWear products, with a debut collection planned for Fall/Winter 2025. The role also has a curatorial dimension. KAWS will introduce new creative partners to the brand, propose design concepts, and participate in the UT Grand Prix competitions. His duties will also involve joining events at UNIQLO stores and with the brand’s museum partners, supporting the company’s “Art For All” philosophy.
“I am thrilled to be taking this next step with my longtime partner UNIQLO to become the brand’s first Artist In Residence,” KAWS said in a statement. “In this role, I hope to tap into the art community and global creatives to curate the next generation of UNIQLO collaborators. I am looking forward to working on exciting new kinds of LifeWear.”
This appointment seems to be part of a strategy to integrate art more deeply into the brand’s core identity. John C Jay, President of Global Creative of Fast Retailing, 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. As our Artist In Residence, KAWS will help Uniqlo to expand the global appreciation and participation of art and creativity for all.”
The partnership has a consistent history, with previous joint projects including collections with Peanuts and Sesame Street, as well as drops connected to a KAWS art book and the work of Andy Warhol. This new title suggests a more permanent and wide-ranging presence for the artist within the UNIQLO framework.
