Clothing repair workshops to be held at RE.UNIQLO STUDIO locations in 11 markets worldwide
Kuala Lumpur, 24 October 2024 – Global apparel retailer UNIQLO marked International Repair Day with a Repair and Upcycling Workshop aimed at promoting simple, hands-on solutions to extend the life of clothing. The event, led by Sewing World, a local organisation empowering woman through skill development, offered participants practical techniques to repair and creatively upcycle garments, encouraging a more sustainable approach to everyday life.
This workshop is part of a global initiative by UNIQLO, which held similar event at its RE.UNIQLO Studio locations worldwide. These initiatives reflect UNIQLO’s commitment to educating customers about the value of clothing care and upcycling, contributing to the circular economy.
The first RE.UNIQLO STUDIO was established at the UNIQLO Regent Street store in London in 2022. Locations have since been opened around the world, with the service available in 50 stores in 21 markets as of the end of September 2024. In Malaysia, RE.UNIQLO Studios are located at: UNIQLO Damansara Avenue Square, UNIQLO Fahrenheit 88 and UNIQLO The Exchange TRX. At RE.UNIQLO Studio, specially trained staff provide repair services to mend holes or frays for as little as RM7, along with original embroidery services with more than 80 designs to choose from, and traditional Japanese “SASHIKO,” a type of decorative stitching used to reinforce or repair garments.
Evelyn Tan, Director of Legal and Sustainability at UNIQLO Malaysia, said, “UNIQLO’s LifeWear philosophy has always emphasized on quality and durability in our clothing. We believe our responsibility extends beyond producing and selling apparel our customers can wear frequently; it’s also about ensure our clothing and materials last much longer. Through today’s workshop, we aim to demonstrate practical ways to extend the life of our LifeWear and promote sustainable practices.”
Through initiatives like the RE.UNIQLO programme and repair workshops, UNIQLO is committed to fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible consumption. By empowering customers with the knowledge and skills to take care of their clothing, UNIQLO encourages a shift towards a more sustainable lifestyle, ultimately benefiting the environment and the community.
Markets where workshops will be held:
Europe: Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain.
North America: Canada.
Asia: China, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea.
About RE.UNIQLO STUDIO
The services offered at RE.UNIQLO STUDIO arose from a workshop on clothing upcycling conducted by customers and staff at a store in Germany. UNIQLO’s repair and remake service has since spread worldwide, with the first permanent RE.UNIQLO STUDIO opened at the UNIQLO Regent Street store in London in 2022. The number of stores offering the service has grown to 50 stores in 21 markets, becoming a favorite of customers around the world. In Japan, a trial of the service began in October 2022 at the UNIQLO Setagaya Chitosedai store, and the service is now available in 13 stores.
(*As of October 9, 2024. Available services vary by market.)
Special website with RE.UNIQLO STUDIO locations and the service menu: https://www.uniqlo.com/my/en/spl/sustainability/reuniqlo-studio
About International Repair Day
International Repair Day occurs annually on the third Saturday in October. The “Repair Cafe” that started in the Netherlands in 2009 with the slogan “Toss it? No way!” has now spread to more than 3,000 locations worldwide. This led The Open Repair Alliance, an educational organization established in London, to declare the first International Repair Day in 2017. Initially, the focus was on repair of electronic devices, but as awareness has grown, it has become a day when people bring various items for repair, including bicycles, shoes, and clothing.
