From July 29 to August 7, 2022, the UNIQLO graphic T-shirt brand, which was introduced in 2003, will celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting the UT Fan Festival at its Orchard Central Global Flagship Store. Customers can anticipate a celebration of all UT and its ideals of culture and expression, including a lineup of new UT collections and enduring favourites, exclusive surprises by local collaborators, and creative activities.
Backstory Of UT
Contents
In 2003, UNIQLO originally introduced the UT brand, which was inspired by the notion that T-shirts may be used as a blank canvas for creative expression. The University of Texas (UT) has a rich history of working with well-known international artists and businesses to excite fans while presenting cultures from the fields of art, music, film, and more. In recent years, the UT brand has added sweatshirts, home goods, accessories, and more to its range in addition to the simple T-shirt.
Kosuke Kawamura, the newly appointed Creative Director of UT, commented, “By offering T-shirts presenting culture from many different genres, it allows the wearer to express their individuality and provide opportunities to encounter new types of cultures they had not known about before. I hope that UT continues to act as a gateway to other worlds, as we work closely with the next generation of artists.”
The UT Fan Festival 2022
A manifestation of this belief, the UT Fan Festival 2022 happening at Orchard Central Global Flagship store presents a lineup of news and activities in collaboration with some of Singapore’s homegrown collaborators to celebrate UT’s spirit of culture and expression, for old and new fans alike. Shoppers can explore the themes of “Create Your World”, “Explore Your World” and “Customise Your World” at the event.
“It is a timely opportunity for us to honour the wonderful community that has brought our designs to life. Through the UT Fan Festival in Singapore, we continue to support our vibrant local arts scene, and hope to unleash this creative spark within our local shoppers as well,” shared Joyce Tan, Marketing Director of UNIQLO Singapore.
Activities Happening At UT Fan Festival 2022
Create Your World
Bringing back two of UNIQLO Singapore’s past collaborators for UTme!, shoppers can express their creativity with in-store activities and novelties by Toby Tan (@tobyato) and Cruddy (@crudddddy).
Orchard Central Global Flagship Store Happenings
1. Portrait Doodles
Enjoy a quirky caricature portrait, doodled by the good folks at Cruddy.
*Open to walk-in UNIQLO shoppers, with any same-day purchase. No minimum spend.
Dates: 30 – 31 Jul & 6 – 7 Aug
Time: 1 – 8pm
2. Stencil Party
Get your favourite UNIQLO T-shirt or eco tote-bag stencilled with UT-exclusive designs by Tobyato.
*Open to walk-in UNIQLO shoppers, with any same-day purchase of a UNIQLO T-shirt or eco tote-bag to be stencilled.
Dates: 30 – 31 Jul
Time: 1 – 8pm
3. Stencil Workshop
Learn how to create unique stencils with Tobyato and customise a UNIQLO eco tote-bag of your own.
Dates: 6 – 7 Aug
Time: 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
*Online registration required, opening from 21 Jul.
All Physical Stores, Excluding Online Store
1. Special Gift: Motel Tag Keychain
APP member exclusive: enjoy a commemorative UT Wear Your World motel tag keychain with one original-priced UT purchased in-stores from 29 Jul – 7 Aug.
Note: 2 designs by Tobyato and Cruddy to choose from! While stocks last. Limited to one redemption per customer.
Explore Your World
Discover the joys of UT and uncover cultures you never knew existed at the UT Magazine Kiosk and the launch of new UT collections and iconic favourites. Shoppers are invited to pick up a complimentary copy of the UT magazine and flip through curated culture stories; interviews with creators and collaborators, the latest product news, fashion stories and more. The magazine will be available across all stores, with a digital version available online.
Relaunch Of Well-Loved, Timeless UT Designs
With the release of its 20th UT Archive collection in August and September 2022, UNIQLO brings back some of its most storied looks. In appreciation of their enduring appeal, the project will re-launch a selection of UTs from its releases during the previous two decades.
The 17 designs pulled from the UT archives highlight LifeWear’s strong underpinnings, which are rooted in international pop culture. Among the designs are a 2003 UT featuring graphic work by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a 2006 Black Jack UT with Osamu Tezuka’s artwork, and a 2009 UT honouring the hugely popular Street Fighter video game franchise. Loyal fans now get a second opportunity to purchase these incredibly successful crowd favourites, which when they were first released paid homage to significant cultural anniversaries.
Other collections relaunched include items from UNIQLO’s long-standing partnership with Disney in the MAGIC FOR ALL Timeless Favourites UT (online and flagship exclusive), alongside iconic Ukiyo-e UTs with designs by three of Japan’s greatest Ukiyo-e masters and a return of timeless masterpieces by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring (selected stores).
Other New UTs To Get Your Hands On
Beyond bringing back iconic collections, UNIQLO will debut new UT collections that nod to well-loved pop culture contents.
1. Mickey & Friends Art By Steven Harrington
Steven Harrington is an artist living in Los Angeles, USA. These UT original designs colourfully depict Disney characters from a unique perspective through his richly imaginative magic.
Availability: Available now
2. Final Fantasy 35th Anniversary
The character designs and visuals that make up the world of FINAL FANTASY are featured in this limited edition T-shirt collection.
Availability: 11 July
3. Peanuts x Reyn Spooner
Infused with the spirit of Aloha, a collaboration with Reyn Spooner and PEANUTS introduces Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang enjoying Hawaii.
Availability: mid July
4. Minecraft
The world of Minecraft is packed with friends, foes and infinite possibilities. Brave adventurers, relaxed crafters and ingenious engineers will all feel at home in this unique, blocky landscape.
Availability: early August
Customise Your World
Exclusively at the Orchard Central Global Flagship store, the widely popular UTme! T-shirt customisation service has allowed shoppers to express their individuality by printing one-of-a-kind designs on UNIQLO’s iconic T-shirts.
Since its inception, UNIQLO Singapore has had the honour of partnering a growing community of collaborators for its local collections, including wheniwasfour, woodandlead, lovage & kennethsbw, troopsonprint and more. Check out these highlights and an upcoming partnership with SGAG to celebrate the Singaporean in you this National Day. Bring home a customised T-shirt with these designs at the UTme! station.
Did you like this article? Then make sure to follow Glitz on Facebook and Instagram for more lifestyle-related information.
