LONDON — Uniqlo and Tate Modern haven’t finished celebrating the museum’s 25th birthday. Following a free, weekend-long party to mark the anniversary, the Japanese apparel retailer kept the festivities going by celebrating the five winners of its annual T-shirt design competition.
The brand chose this year’s T-shirt theme, “Create the future — be inspired by play,” in collaboration with the museum and the two worked together to whittle down the 10,000 entrants to five.
“Together — Uniqlo, Tate Modern and with you — we’re trying to build new aspirations, new goals toward creativity,” said John C. Jay, Uniqlo and Fast Retailing’s president of global creative, ahead of the winner announcements.
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Melvin Galapon took home the top prize, the 2025 Grand Prix Award, for his video game-like graphic, which read “Future Now.” Narimichi Takahashi won the Tate Award for his floral design, which he said was inspired both by his daughter’s doodles and Van Gogh’s paintings.
The 17-year-old Ahn Do Eun received the Uniqlo Award for her illustration, an abstract interpretation of a pizza.
“One day I was told off by my dad, and I was so emotional — upset, angry and sad,” she said during her acceptance speech. “However, even at that moment, I wanted some pizza.”
By reimagining a pizza’s toppings as her abstract emotions through her design, Eun said she was able to better process her feelings. “I don’t think creating the future has to do with some brilliant ideas. I believe the best future is achievable by being honest with our own feelings,” she added.
Tate Modern visitors will be able to purchase the shirts at Uniqlo’s on-site pop-up shop, which is open until Sept. 16.
