Toronto, September 30, 2024 – In honor of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation UNIQLO is proud to announce the limited-edition UNIQLO UTme! T-shirt designs, the exclusive designs showcase the artistic talents of Indigenous artists Blake Angeconeb, Grace Edwards, and Eruoma Awashish, each reflecting the rich heritage and culture of Indigenous Peoples.
These partnerships are facilitated by the National Reconciliation Program at Save the Children Canada which seeks to support Indigenous-led programming and reconciliation. 100% of proceeds from these UTme! designs will go directly to Indigenous organizations. If total donations exceed $5,000 CAD, UNIQLO will match the amount.
“It’s a privilege to be working with such inspiring Indigenous artists as Blake, Grace, and Eruoma,” said Lewis Archer, Save the Children’s Program Manager, National Reconciliation Program. “These limited-edition Truth and Reconciliation designs not only raise awareness for the National Truth and Reconciliation Day but celebrate Indigenous cultures and artistry while raising funds for organizations working in the communities and organizations the artists are from. The funding will support community-led programming that supports Indigenous children and their potential.
From now until October 23, shoppers can purchase these exclusive UNIQLO UTme! T-shirt designs at the following locations: Metropolis at Metrotown (Burnaby, BC), Yorkdale Shopping Centre (Toronto, ON) and CF Toronto Eaton Centre (Toronto, ON).
About the artists:
Blake Angeconeb is an Anishinaabe woodlands artist who hails from Treaty 3 territory. Blake’s primary practice involves acrylics and multimedia on canvas, blending the school of woodlands art with pop culture references. He is part of the Caribou clan and a proud member of Lac Seul First Nation.
Eruoma Awashish is an Atikamekw Nehirowisiw visual artist. Through her works, she weaves a metaphorical language where symbols intertwine. Awashish incorporates spirituality, symbolism, and syncretism into her work.
Grace Edwards is an Indigenous artist from the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation, known for her thoughtful acrylic and oil paintings on canvas. With a focus on realistic portrayals of portraits, landscapes, and still lifes, she aims to reflect the rich beauty of her heritage.
UNIQLO’s UTme! program lets shoppers create their own one-of-a-kind T-shirts and take it home straight away. They can combine designs (like the ones from Blake, Eruoma and Grace), photos, images and texts to create their own original T-shirt.
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About UNIQLO LifeWear
Apparel that comes from the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Designed to be of the time and for the time, LifeWear is made with such modern elegance that it becomes the building blocks of each individual’s style. A perfect shirt that is always being made more perfect. The simplest design hiding the most thoughtful and modern details. The best in fit and fabric made to be affordable and accessible to all. LifeWear is clothing that is constantly being innovated, bringing more warmth, more lightness, better design, and better comfort to people’s lives.
About UNIQLO and Fast Retailing
UNIQLO is a brand of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese retail holding company with global headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. UNIQLO is the largest of eight brands in the Fast Retailing Group, the others being GU, Theory, PLST (Plus T), Comptoir des Cotonniers, Princesse tam.tam, J Brand and Helmut Lang. With global sales of approximately 2.77 trillion yen for the 2023 fiscal year ending August 31, 2023 (US $18.92 billion, calculated in yen using the end of August 2023 rate of $1 = 146.2 yen), Fast Retailing is one of the world’s largest apparel retail companies, and UNIQLO is Japan’s leading specialty retailer.
UNIQLO continues to open large-scale stores in some of the world’s most important cities and locations, as part of its ongoing efforts to solidify its status as a global brand. Today the company has a total of more than 2,400 UNIQLO stores across the world, including Japan, Asia, Europe and North America. The total number of stores across Fast Retailing’s brands is now close to 3,600.
With a corporate statement committed to changing clothes, changing conventional wisdom and change the world, Fast Retailing is dedicated to creating great clothing with new and unique value to enrich the lives of people everywhere. For more information about UNIQLO and Fast Retailing, please visit www.uniqlo.com and www.fastretailing.com.
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. The National Reconciliation Program at Save the Children in Canada works alongside Indigenous children and communities to protect and support Indigenous rights through Indigenous-led and transformative approaches.
Media Contact
For additional information please contact Julie Marshall, Senior Manager, Media:
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.