Renowned Japanese casualwear brand Uniqlo surpassed $2.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2023. At the heart of its success lies the brand’s philosophy of ‘LifeWear,’ affirms Seneiya Navajas, Senior Manager- Sustainability, Fast Retailing.
Navajas elucidates, Uniqlo's ‘LifeWear’ concept aims to enhance everyday life through thoughtful and simple design. Having over 2,400 stores worldwide and more than 30,000 employees, the brand is dedicated to crafting garments with intention, encouraging longevity and sustainability.
One of Uniqlo's pioneering initiatives is Re.Uniqlo, established over two decades ago, which fosters a circular economy by encouraging the reuse and recycling of clothing. Uniqlo has also donated millions of new and used items to communities worldwide by partnering with organisations like the UN Refugee Agency/.
Additionally, Uniqlo introduced Re.Uniqlo Studios, repair centers in major cities, offering affordable repair services to extend the lifespan of garments. Customers can also opt for Uniqlo's Sashiko service, which adds unique embroidery to clothing, or explore collections of upcycled items, showcasing the brand's commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Despite the labor-intensive nature of repair and upcycling processes, Uniqlo believes in their scalability, leveraging existing infrastructure and collaborating with design schools and emerging talents to transform unsellable items into desirable products.
Uniqlo's commitment to emotional durability aligns with its core values, rooted in Japanese principles such as longevity, thoughtfulness, and respect. The concept of ‘mottainai, conveying regret over waste, encapsulates Uniqlo's ethos of responsibility and sustainability, driving its efforts towards a more conscious and compassionate fashion industry, emphasises Navajas.
