What you wear can make a statement. Clothing is an important necessity although our styles and preferences change every day, the pieces we choose to wear can say a lot about our personality, our current mood, and even our beliefs. In short, what we wear sends a message.

This is what global apparel retailer Uniqlo intends to do with their charity T-Shirt project, "PEACE FOR ALL;" to send a message of how “a single T-shirt has the power to spread peace.” From simple graphic shirts emboldened with encouraging words to slightly more elaborate designs that feature a world that’s bright and colorful, "PEACE FOR ALL" offers more than just another T-shirt to add to your closet, but one that can bring about change and send a message of hope.

This year, Uniqlo introduces three new designs in the collection created by three photographers from the internationally renowned photographic cooperative Magnum Photos, featuring shots of ongoing humanitarian efforts in communities around the world.

The Beat Asia visited the exhibition at the Uniqlo Manila Global Flagship store in Makati and discovered the story behind the latest designs and how the brand supports communities both locally and globally through their sustainability initiative.

Making a 'Peaceful' Fashion Statement

Launched in 2020, the PEACE FOR ALL project is a collaboration between Uniqlo and over 38 contributors and collaborators from celebrities and creatives to icons and athletes who came together to design simple T-shirts for a cause; shirts that embody themes like peace, love, and harmony.

Since its launch, Uniqlo has sold more than five million t-shirts worldwide and was able to raise more than JPY1.5 billion (approximately US$10 million), proving that a simple tee can go a long way.

Moreover, 100% of the profits from the sale of these shirts are donated by Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing, to three international organizations namely: PLAN International, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the United Nations Refugee Agency, and Save the Children.

At the exhibit, we got to see the latest additions to the collection as well as the previous designs which are all available in-store and online. The shirts featured heartfelt and impactful messages such as “There is no alternative to peace,” “Challenge and change the world,” and “Diversity moves the earth.”

But the highlights of the exhibit were the three graphic shirts hung front and center featuring shots of a child creating a butterfly shadow puppet, a rainbow, and a collection of photos with flowers, banderitas (little colorful flags), and a pair of kittens.

Uniqlo Philippines Head of PR and Sustainability Reiny Vergara told us more about the latest collection and what it stands for.

“For the newest lineup, each design depicts moments of humanitarian activities done in different countries by our three partner organizations. We have shots by Cristina de Middel in Vietnam for PLAN International; by Olivia Arthur in Romania for Save the Children; and by Lindokuhle Sobekwa in Ethiopia for UNHCR,” she said.

Also at the exhibit were rows of beautiful photographs on display depicting candid shots and daily life scenes of children and individuals in various parts of the world, captured by the aforementioned photographers.

“What distinguishes it from the past collection is Magnum Photos — their organization. They really had three photographers capture the communities of the organizations that we are helping,” said Reiny.

Indeed, the new "PEACE FOR ALL" designs show Uniqlo’s peace contribution activities around the globe and gives customers who have supported the project so far a glimpse of the beneficiaries. The exhibit illustrates how each partner makes good use of the funds raised through the project and presents a great opportunity for Uniqlo customers to witness the positive impact of their participation.

“When you wear a 'PEACE FOR ALL' t-shirt, you are not just supporting a cause, you are also showing everyone how a single t-shirt can have an impact. We really believe in the power of clothing.”

Healing the World One Shirt at a Time

Each of the three photographers’ unique styles and perspectives gave this collection a more in-depth and meaningful look into the lives of the communities being supported by the three organizations.

Plan International, a global nongovernmental organization (NGO), that advances children’s rights and equality for girls in more than 80 countries featured their ongoing activities in Vietnam where Kristina captured various efforts to prevent child marriage in far flung provinces, as well as the renovation of school dormitories, water and hygiene facilities.

On the other hand, English documentary photographer Olivia Arthur covered Save the Children’s support for families that fled the war in Ukraine to Romania, showcasing the children’s daily life in a counseling hub in Bucharest. The organization works to make children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation a reality worldwide.

At the event, we had the honor of meeting Atty. Iya Gallardo, UNHCR Head of PH Office, who told us about Lindokuhle Sobekwa’s documentation of the organization’s global relief efforts in Ethiopia.

“We commend Mr. Sobekwa for his work for the third largest refugee hosting country in Africa. As you know Ethiopia is home to over 4.4 million displaced people,” she said.

“In Ethiopia, as well as in other emergency hotspots such as Sudan and Ukraine, UNHCR teams have been on the ground delivering humanitarian aid protection. But behind these figures are human stories of women, children, and the elderly, and Mr. Sobekwa was able to capture the lives of the people in refugee camps who were forcedly displaced from their homes. You will see how we strive to provide them with food, daily necessities, and education. So, through the lens, along with Uniqlo, we hope to give a voice and face to these communities.”

Uniqlo and UNHCR have a shared commitment to refugees and have been partners with Fast Retailing since 2007 through clothing and cash donations, as well as other non-financial support.

In the Philippines, Uniqlo was reportedly instrumental in supporting the organization’s various relief efforts including the three-day campaign last June in commemoration of the National Refugee Day and World Refugee Day, which drew over 600 participants nationwide.

“It is significant for us since the Philippines has a longstanding tradition of welcoming refugees from all over the world. And today with ‘PEACE FOR ALL,’ Uniqlo does not only provide support through shirt sales but also through global awareness. We thank you for your continued support and partnership as we continue to spread awareness on global forced displacement,” added Atty. Iya.

More than just a graphic tee, the "PEACE FOR ALL" collection is a statement of one’s efforts to make the world a better place and is a reminder that it takes small steps to make big things happen. One shirt bought by millions will surely make an impact as proven by the brand’s ongoing project.

“When you see the images, even though they live a life of hardships, you will see their smiles, their positive demeanors. And in our line of work, hope is really the most important thing. The hope for a better tomorrow, a brighter future for each and everyone in the communities that we support and connect with,” she added.

Take part in Uniqlo’s global initiative by purchasing a shirt that send messages of hope, dreams, and better days to come. The "PEACE FOR ALL" collection is available in all Uniqlo stores nationwide and online for only P790.

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