Uniqlo launches new Nintendo art line

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 2, 2017

Uniqlo has announced the winners of its UTGP17 global art competition for Nintendo inspired art, the largest design competition Uniqlo has ever held.

Uniqlo received over 16,000 submissions for the competition that was announced last year. Previous contests have been held with partners Disney/Pixar and Star Wars, however the Nintendo competition raked in the most entries.

The entries were personally judged by Mario and Zelda character creator Shigeru Miyamoto.

The grand prize winner, Takashi Kawazoe, was awarded $10,000 from Uniqlo as well as to see his design become the lead piece for the collection.

In a statement released on Uniqlo's website, Kawazoe said, "I was extremely surprised and pleased to receive such a prestigious award for my creation featuring one of Japan's most renowned characters, Mario, as a motif."

The second place winner also hailed from Japan, while the third prize winner is the first-ever Mexican to win one of Uniqlo's global design competitions.

The Nintendo collection will feature 25 different graphics in total, pulling from iconic games and stories including Mario, Zelda, Kirby and Pokemon. It will contain offerings for men, women, and kids. The men's and women's tees will retail for just under $15 and the kid's for just under $10.

The collection will officially launch on May 19.