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C’mon Japan, give Canada Uniqlo!

Posted by Wayne 30 March 2008 16 Comments

UNIQLO

Ever since Uniqlo opened up retail outlets in New York, I’ve desperately wanted the mainstream Japanese chain to come to Canada. Unlike H&M however, I find Uniqlo’s range of clothing to be better made and of higher quality. For example, Uniqlo’s infamous S-00X series jean is made with premium selvedge denim – a type of material known for its tighter weave and historical roots. Although Uniqlo’s offerings may not be as funky and runway driven as H&M’s is, they do offer some really neat items and also tend to collaborate with third party designers.

Over the past weekend two up and coming designers, Tim Hamilton and Juliana Jabour both released capsule collections for Uniqlo. I have to say, I like the route this company taking by introducing wearable collections by lesser known but still prominent designers. Uniqlo’s past collaboration with ex-Cloak designer Alexandre Plokhov (now with Versace) was very refreshing to see as well. If I still haven’t convinced you guys just how cool this retail chain is yet, be sure to take a look yourselves at www.uniqlo.com

> images courtesy of uniqlo.com

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16 Comments »

  • Chris Tsang said:

    I agree. I love uniqlo! They have some crazy jackets.

  • geekigirl said:

    i would soooooo love a uniqlo here

  • ThatGirl said:

    I definitely know what you mean – love the colours and the value!

    how are you geekigirl? :)

  • izumi said:

    Agreed. Whenever I go back to Japan, I stock up on Uniqlo because the quality is amazing. It’s minimalistic and the colours are beautiful.

  • davor said:

    Here here! I was just in NYC over the summer with some friends that went out to Japan to work and they took me to Uniqlo. I loved that place… I could have spent too much money there. I’d love to see one in Toronto, nice and big like the NYC one.

  • Shane said:

    hehehe

    i live in shanghai, and we have tonnes of UQ here. though, it’s like UG lite, (think Tims or McD’s at the Gas Station…) But Lite is better than NONE!

    you are so right, though it’s more basic and minimal, that’s what we need. H&M’s “disposable” clothing can only go so far…

    I have some UQ items that I bought 41/2 years ago when I first moved here that I am still using to this day.

    The underwear lasts a long time, and the socks are pretty good quality. Look at the range of dress socks for crissakes… every damn colour in the book.

    my only gripes… need to bring back last seasons “comfort socks” and the mesh-like underwear from 2 seasons ago. those mothers would breathe in the summer, and had that amazing quality that mesh has as an insulator… they actually retained warmth in the winter…

    if you don’t know, you don’t realise what you are missing…

    give me UQ for my body, and Muji for my home, and I’m set for life!

    Cheers, Shane from Shanghai via Toronto/Calgary

  • Thao said:

    I was just about to order some HEATTECH shirts and I went on to check them out. Unfortunately, they don’t ship to Canada. It was going to be my first online purchase too! I am deeply disappointed and saddened. I was looking forward to keeping cozy this winter. :(

  • Andrea said:

    My first Uniqlo experience was when I was in Hong Kong. I didn’t buy anything then which was pretty darn silly, but when I went to London this past month, I hit up the store and did some major shopping (lots of sales and good deals!!). There are so many great basic pieces and the quality is a cut above H&M…in fact, I wouldn’t even begin to compare the two, Uniqlo is a different class of clothing. If they ever opened a store in Toronto, I’d go crazy!!! Until then, I guess I have to go on majorly huge shopping sprees at the NYC Uniqlo every year.

  • soulglo said:

    I’ve gone on binge shopping sprees at Uniqlo’s in NYC, Tokyo, HK and London and although I love Uniqlo as much as anyone, I actually don’t want them to come to Toronto because it would make it less special. Uniqlo would then turn into Gap or H&M.

    Uniqlo please stay away from Canada!

  • Gloria said:

    So true – Uniqlo doesn’t seem to be that appealing at first, until you get a second look. I wouldn’t mind them coming to Toronto – things are getting a little mundane in terms of shopping as of late!

  • js said:

    loooove Uniqlo!! We should sign a petition of some sort to bring Uniqlo to Canada!

  • JJ said:

    I really love the cutting, colour & value. I hope Uniqlo in Canada soon

  • Theresa said:

    YES!! I totally agreee!! I just discovered the brand myself on my recent trip to Japan and totally love it. Reasonable prices plus higher quality than H&M…love it!!! =D They really should open some up in Canada!!

  • Gail said:

    I was just in Tokyo last week and you are right that at first glance, the clothing didn’t seem to be special. But they really are! The quality is excellent. The prices are amazing. I wonder if we can have the same prices if they come to Canada. I really really want Uniqlo to come to Canada (Ottawa, ON). When I was in Shinjuku, Uniqlo was everywhere, like a Starbucks is or Shoppers Drug Mart.

  • Andrew Paris said:

    Cheaper for me to fly to NYC and do all my seasonal shopping at Uni Qlo then to buy in Toronto.
    Uni Qlo is fashion retail heaven.

  • Tony said:

    Its not, “come on Japan, give Canada uniqlo” but literally, “come Canada, stop sucking at shopping”.

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