The KAWS X Uniqlo collaboration is not just about the sure-to-sell-out tees. This season, a tome is in the offering. Who’s wearing and who’s reading?

As it turns out, Uniqlo is into books. For the latest collaboration, announced very recently, the Japanese brand is going into expanded merchandising drive for the creator of Companion. This time, aside from the saleable UT tees, the fast fashion brand shall be concurrently offering a publication described as an “art book”, featuring solely the works of KAWS. While Uniqlo is no stranger to publishing, having issued the immensely readable Lifewear magazine, the book is, in fact, published by the Austria-based Phaidon Press. As it appears, the clothing retailer is acting as distributor.

According to their Instagram post, Uniqlo is offering “an entirely new project”. Although this is not the first time that the brand and artist come together to put out merchandise, Uniqlo described the launch of the ”KAWS art book” and “Uniqlo UT X KAWS T-shirt collection” as a “world premier”. They further shared that the pair-up is a ”cutting-edge fusion” of book and baju, “combined in an exciting new way.” It is not immediately clear if that means that the paper product will be sold with the garment in a special package or separately. Or, if the purchase of one means a chance to buy the other. Or, how exciting the sale will be. We shall know soon enough.

KAWS X Uniqlo art book and T-shirts will be available from 8 September. Be prepared for the crush. Photo: Uniqlo/Instagram