[Update 8 Sep 2023] Possibly timed to coincide with the release of his Uniqlo collection, KAWS will also be releasing plushies of BFF, Accomplice, and Companion. Firm release details haven’t been disclosed but with this news coming from the man himself, they should be announced soon so stay tuned!

[Update 25 Aug 2023]

KAWS x Uniqlo UT Collection Is Dropping on 7 September

Following yesterday’s teaser, KAWS and Uniqlo have confirmed that their 2023 KAWS UT collab will launch on 7 September 2023. Their latest team-up consists of three t-shirts and two sweaters, all featuring illustrations from KAWS’ What Party exhibition with KAWS’ signature Companion and BFF characters taking the centre stage once more. T-shirts are priced at US$24.90, while the sweaters will be going for US$39.90.

The Most Comprehensive KAWS Artbook, Published by Phaidon

But that’s not all. The partners have joined hands with Phaidon, premier publisher of the arts, for a book that spotlights KAWS’ colorful art and its impact. The book, simply titled Artbook KAWS Edition, is the latest addition to Phaidon’s Contemporary Artist Series.

Uniqlo said in a statement that this book is “the most comprehensive study on one of contemporary art’s most influential and much-loved forces.”

The KAWS Artbook will be an Uniqlo exclusive release and will set you back by US$49.90.

KAWS and Uniqlo are returning for another team-up, according to a post teased on the social platforms of both the artist and the Japanese streetwear retailer.

Announcement Video of KAWS x Uniqlo 2023

The short Insta video shows KAWS’ iconic Companion figure push through a wall of art books and revealing a white t-shirt that features What Party: Tide, his artwork from 2021. Captioned “New project. Coming Soon.” with no further information, it will be the partners’ first creative endeavor together in two years.

What Can You Expect from the latest KAWS x Uniqlo Collab?

Given that the KAWS and Uniqlo had joined hands on a couple of UT projects previously, and the appearance of what looks like a new KAWS x Uniqlo UT, it is safe to assume that the first UT crossover between the longtime collaborators since 2021 is set to arrive soon. Highsnobiety predicts that 2023’s team-up will “presumably deliver UNIQLO UTs emblazoned with imagery from KAWS’ What Party exhibition.”

More Than Just Another Uniqlo UT Project

On top of this, yesterday’s teaser video also showcased piles of books featuring the same What Party: Tide artwork. Publisher Phaidon and the hashtag #artbook were both tagged in the post, indicating that the American artist might be releasing a book, alongside the Uniqlo collab.

No additional release details are available but we will keep you posted on the latest developments once we have them. Meanwhile, take a look through past KAWS x Uniqlo collabs via the top slider above.

In related streetwear news, Our Legacy x Satisfy have teamed up on an all new technical apparel collection.