KAWS and NIGO's UT Collection Is the Resurrection of OriginalFake We Deserve
Companion makes a triumphant return.
The collaboration we’ve all been waiting for is finally here; NIGO, designer for HUMAN MADE and creative director of Uniqlo’s LifeWear UT division, has linked up with legendary artist KAWS for the exclusive collaborative series, gearing to drop online and at all global Uniqlo stores. The collection, which showcases the best of KAWS’ “Companion” character, is a visual and aesthetic throwback to the time of OriginalFake, the artists’ own brand whose flagship store in Aoyama, Tokyo was the epitome of exclusive. Now, the aura of Tokyo-meets-Brooklyn is back for the masses, with a collaboration between art and fashion while bridging functionality and versatility.
When asked about the UT collection — Uniqlo’s line of graphic T-shirts that adds a level of fun and renowned art into everyday wardrobes — KAWS replied “[its a] cool canvas for making my artwork available to people virtually everywhere. I have enjoyed working with the UNIQLO team whose enthusiasm is unparalleled. It is great to be part of the amazing UT platform of my friend and fellow artist NIGO.” The Japanese Harajuku fashion veteran also remarked that he has “created things with KAWS quite a few times before, and we’ve got a lot of respect for each other. This project was no exception. We went through a ton of ideas to come up with some great results. I think the T-shirts and other items in the collection reflect KAWS’s amazing worldview.”
Sure to be a hit amongst the casual Uniqlo customer, streetwear fans and art aficionados as well, the KAWS for UT Collection will be releasing on April 22 online and at Uniqlo stores worldwide.
