The Art and Science of LifeWear: Uniqlo and Toray at MoMA

Innovation, star power, and new partnerships set the tone for Uniqlo’s future in global and Philippine markets

Global apparel giant Uniqlo marked a milestone on September 15, 2025, with a one-night-only event at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Titled “The Art and Science of LifeWear,” the showcase celebrated 20 years of Uniqlo in the United States and spotlighted its long-standing partnership with Japanese materials innovator Toray Industries.

The event fused art, fashion, and technology with special guests Cate Blanchett who made her debut as the brand’s new global brand ambassador, tennis legend Roger Federer, and contemporary artist Kaws, who was revealed as Uniqlo’s first-ever Artist in Residence.

From left: Mitsuo Ohya, Roger Federer, Clare Waight Keller, Tadashi Yanai, Cate Blanchett, Kaws, and John C. Jay

Uniqlo Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of fast retailing, Tadashi Yanai, emphasized the brand’s core mission in his keynote: “Ever since we launched UNIQLO, our mission has been to better society through clothing. Embodying this mission is LifeWear, created on the strong foundation of our partnership with Toray. Going forward, we will continue to work with Toray to anticipate changes in lifestyles, create clothing that goes beyond the conventional wisdom of the past, and provide customers everywhere with clothing that offers true value and meaning.”

Toray President Mitsuo Ohya echoed this shared vision: “Our shared purpose is to create clothing that makes everyone’s life better. In order to fashion iconic LifeWear that captivates the world, we remain committed to pushing the limits of technology and unlocking the potential of materials to deliver new value.”

Clare Waight Keller, Roger Federer, Cate Blanchett

During the panel moderated by Creative Director Clare Waight Keller, Cate Blanchett underscored Uniqlo’s appeal: “It shouldn’t be a luxury to have good quality, well-made clothes and I think that’s in the DNA of the Uniqlo brand.”

The night concluded with Kaws speaking about his new role, which will integrate art into the brand’s retail and museum collaborations, as well as influence future LifeWear collections.

For the Philippine market, this global showcase reinforces Uniqlo’s positioning as a brand that marries affordability with innovation. These announcements highlight how global design and cultural partnerships will continue to shape local offerings. From technology-driven fabrics suited to tropical weather, to art-inspired collaborations that resonate with Filipino consumers, the event signals a stronger integration of style, function, and cultural relevance.