On The Recessionista Racks: Uniqlo x Coca-Cola T-Shirt Collection

Pictured: One of the new Uniqlo Loves Coca-Cola Tees now on sale

I think Uniqlo’s got the recession fashion recipe. They consistently offer cute clothing and designer labels for less. Now they are adding more of colorful, low priced T-shirts to their sales racks.A colorful, fashionable T-shirt priced at $19.90 is something just about everyone can afford. Hot on the heels of their Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo collection, they have bought a collection of colorful tees with Coca-Cola on them to their stores. What’s the back story on this?  Apparently, the collection is the result of a design contest Uniqlo held called Uniqlo’s 8th Annual UT Grand Prix (UTGP.) This T-shirt design contest, whose inspiration this year is Coca-Cola. received over 6,288 design submissions.  The resulting collection offers the ten winning designs inspired by the beverage brand’s design heritage, referencing everything from the contour bottle to its world-renown logo and historic campaign slogans.  The overall winner of the contest is Karrie Lee (Lee Lai Yan) from Hong Kong. She was selected by a panel of judges which included Tadashi Yanai, Chairman of Uniqlo. Her design features a friend of hers sipping on a can of Coke through a straw, graphically arranged in a zig-zag pattern down the front of a black and red T. Interesting huh?

Pictured: My Lulu Guinness for Uniqlo Tee (photo: M.Hall)

Personally, I’m in love with the Uniqlo Lulu Guinness T collection.  I have bought two of the Tees now on eBay and adore them.  They are well made, with finished turned down necklines with the Lulu Guinness designs.  I own both the Lulu cat tees and the bow tee.  Now I’m searching for the London by Night Tee online. Anytime consumers can get an affordable piece of Lulu Guinness style, it’s a win for everyone.  I wonder if the Coca-Cola tees well sell as well.  What do you think?