Behind Uniqlo — Japan’s Answer To Fast Fashion
In Singapore, there’s a colloquial joke that the UNIQLO AIRism oversized tee is the “Uniform of Singaporean Men” where almost every guy owns a piece or two of the same t-shirt, just in varying colours.
I can attest to that, as the comfort, value and quality of their clothing are unrivalled.
As of 2024, UNIQLO operates over 2,400 stores in more than 25 countries around the world without any signs of a slowdown in the pace of its ongoing expansion.
This prompted me to dig deeper into the history of how UNIQLO came about, and how it grew beyond Japan to establish itself as a strong competitor in the world of fast fashion dominated by players like H&M and ZARA.
History of UNIQLO
UNIQLO originated in Hiroshima, Japan, and was founded by Tadashi Yanai in 1984. Initially named “Unique Clothing Warehouse,” the brand started as a small men’s clothing store that focused on providing affordable, high-quality casual wear.
Inspired by fashion brands in Europe and the US, Tadashi Yanai wanted to transform his family’s business from tailored suits to casual clothing and…
