Since 2005, UNIQLO has run their annual UT Grand Prix T-Shirt design contest and this year attracted a record 5,218 entries. The 2015 Star Wars theme probably had a little to do with the record numbers, especially since the film is one of the most anticipated of the year.
The open-to-all contest caught the attention of designers, artists and Star Wars enthusiasts alike from around the world. Not only were the winners recently announced, (and don’t break the internet but) the tees are now for sale as well at UNIQLO stores in 16 countries and via the online store. Sure, you still have your classic Star Wars tee from the 80’s, but maybe it’s time to retire that collectors item and pick up a new one, if for no other reason than to celebrate the movie’s return to the silver screen.
The Force Awakens…
The panel of judges for the contest included Darth Vader himself, cartoonist Jeffrey Brown, UT creative director NIGO, Lucasfilm executive creative director Doug Chiang, and Star Wars Rebels art director Kilian Plunkett. They decided the Grand Prize winner, the Second Prize recipient, various awards from individual judges, and 12 Runner-Up awards. Four of the 23 nostalgic t-shirts available now were personally designed by the judges themselves and are available in men’s and kid’s sizing.
Grand Prix winner Takuya Saito from Japan spoke of his design saying, “The design features a scene from Tatooine, which appeared early in Star Wars. On the front of the tee is Obi-Wan Kenobi on a landspeeder, while Han Solo and Chewbacca are on the back. The inspiration from the fateful encounter in Mos Eisley is wonderful.”
