EXCLUSIVE: Uniqlo Teams Up With FIT on an Upcycling Collection
Uniqlo has announced its collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology and its Design and Tech Lab (DTech Lab) for a limited-edition upcycling collection called Re.Live.
The 11-piece collection of knitwear, outwear, shirts, jumpsuits and accessories was developed using completely non-sellable and non-wearable Uniqlo products from the Re.Uniqlo program — created in 2022. On Dec. 13, the collaboration will be available to purchase at the Japanese retailers’ global flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York at the Re.Uniqlo Studio and retailing from $39.90 to $89.90.
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Five of FIT’s students from the Class of 2024, three from the Fashion Design and two from the Advertising and Digital Design programs worked together as a team to collaborate on the collection from its inception and design to the final collection and campaign rollout.
Fashion Design students Bridgette Schaeffer, Sam Cho and Nuo Cheng were guided by professor Juliana Cho. Each was assigned a theme and descriptive adjectives that matched their design ethos to create three collections. The trio sorted through boxes of Uniqlo’s returns and chose garments such as the Pocket Shirt, Slashed Woven Cargo Jacket and Clashing Stripe Button Up — looking for strong silhouettes and details to make their selections — to give them a new life.
Schaeffer’s collection Craftland focused on “handcraft stitch work and fabric manipulation.” Cho’s collection Re-Automation focused on “gender neutrality and utility.” Cheng’s collection Modern Anatomy focused on “timelessness and sophisticated details.”
Under the tutelage of professor Joe Staluppi, Andrew Grechko and Minjeong “MJ” Park, from the Advertising and Digital Design program, analyzed Uniqlo’s current plans and marketing techniques to cater to environmentally conscious consumers for their in-store posters, social media and UX/UI digital design development.
“Our biggest challenge as a team was creating designs that the Re.Uniqlo studio staff could reproduce and scale,” Schaeffer said. “The clothing we worked with was a random mix, there were not many duplicates to choose from. With the guidance of professor Cho, we were able to create varying designs that could be replicated. The most rewarding part of this collaboration was seeing all of our pieces come together at the final photo shoot. While each designer has varying aesthetics, we produced a very cohesive collection.”
Schaeffer said that as a design student soon entering the industry and noting the fashion’s vast polluting practices, she feels a responsibility to help create a change and make a difference in the world.
“Internationally respected brands like Uniqlo have incredible reach and a loud voice,” Schaeffer said. “Uniqlo taking part in this collaboration with FIT not only shows their commitment to environmental responsibility but pushes other companies to follow suit. While initiatives like this one may be small in the grand scheme of the industry, they help to amplify the sustainability conversation in spaces where it is needed.”
As part of FIT’s Innovation Center, the DTech Lab has helped students in revolutionizing the creative and retail industries by merging design-forward thinking with emerging technologies.
Michael Ferraro, executive director of FIT’s DTech Lab, explains the partnership with Uniqlo was a natural fit, as the lab has a collaborative approach and extensive experience in creating transdisciplinary projects.
“Upcycling unsellable apparel is an excellent way to give a new, extended life to products that could easily end up in the fashion waste stream,” Ferraro said. “FIT students have been very vocal about their passion for creating a more sustainable fashion industry. Emerging FIT entrepreneurs have developed innovative business ideas that look to enhance transparency and traceability for apparel.”
“In the rapidly evolving world of fashion technology, this project illuminates the power of collaboration as the student, faculty and industry team develops a creative and impactful solution, notably advancing sustainability within the industry.”
Maria Dziedzic, managing director of Uniqlo’s Global Innovation Center, notes that the larger Re.Uniqlo Studio was created to address a consumer interest in shopping that promotes circularity — and FIT’s commitment to innovation aligns with Uniqlo’s goal of extending the life of clothing and its LifeWear philosophy.
“By joining forces with FIT, we’ve been proud to not only support and contribute to the education of future industry leaders, but also gain new insights and styles that enhance the brand’s ongoing dedication to improving and enhancing our products and services,” Dziedzic said.
Despite the initial launch created by the student of FIT as a limited-edition run, Dziedzic said Uniqlo is committed to having the designs live on by incorporating them into Re.Uniqlo Studio’s range of upcycled offerings. Based on the impact and reception following the release, the company hopes to expand this initiative to additional locations.
“We have had a relationship with FIT for many years now, and recognize it as a hub for emerging talent and cutting-edge ideas,” Dziedzic said. “The DTech Lab specifically spoke to our brand ethos of improving and evolving apparel through thoughtful design and technology, and we see tremendous value in partnering with FIT students, leveraging their perspective to reimagine repair and upcycling.”
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