KAWS becomes Uniqlo's first Artist In Residence

Uniqlo has appointed KAWS (Brian Donnelly, born 1974 in Jersey City) as its first Artist In Residence, a role extending beyond capsule collections. The artist will curate in-store art events globally, collaborate with the brand's museum partners, and develop products for the LifeWear line. John C Jay, President of Global Creative at Fast Retailing (Uniqlo's parent company), stated that KAWS has broken traditional art boundaries, mirroring Uniqlo's efforts to redefine apparel through LifeWear. KAWS expressed enthusiasm for deepening his long-term partnership with the brand. The appointment signals a strategic shift toward permanent creative residencies in fashion, blending curatorial initiatives with mass-market production. The first results are expected with the fall/winter 2025 collection.