UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador AYUMU HIRANO x UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project

Jul 25, 2024 NEWS
Ayumu Hirano on the charms of UNIQLO’s secondhand clothing
Snowboarder Ayumu Hirano, who won the gold medal in the halfpipe competition at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has a unique style that’s popular not only among his peers, but with people of all generations. We spoke with Hirano about the UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project, a new initiative from RE.UNIQLO.

“I’ve loved fashion since I was a child, and I’ve always been a fan of secondhand clothing,” he says.

“The charm of pre-owned clothes is that each item has a different expression depending on how it was used in the past. The fact that you don't know what you’ll find until you get to the store is another reason I became hooked on it.”

“The UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project is an initiative to sell secondhand clothing inside UNIQLO stores. I think it’s an interesting idea, especially because people who come to stores to buy regular products will be introduced to secondhand clothing, and feel the excitement of finding a special item that suits them. For me, another important aspect is the reuse aspect, with clothes that one person no longer wears becoming someone else’s favorite item.”


What is the UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project?
RE.UNIQLO is UNIQLO’s initiative towards creating a more circular society, and the UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project was launched as part of this effort.

Pop-up stores are currently open at UNIQLO Setagaya Chitosedai (Tokyo) and UNIQLO Tenjin (Fukuoka) for a limited time until Saturday, August 31.

These stores sell three types of used clothing: pre-owned items that have been inspected and thoroughly washed, clothes that have been upcycled with a dyeing process, and BIORESTORE items that have been treated with enzyme detergents to remove surface fuzz, restoring their color and firmness. Another UNIQLO Pre-Owned Clothes Project pop-up store will also be opened in the UNIQLO PARK Yokohama Bayside store for a limited time from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, August 18.

Ayumu Hirano

Outfit Items
Shirt: Jersey Overshirt
T-shirt: Uniqlo U Crew Neck T-shirt
Pants: Chino Shorts


Items selected for reusable secondhand clothing are those with simple designs such as outerwear, shirts, and jeans. All clothing is carefully washed and sold at a reasonable price. Some of the items were first sold in the 1990s, and feature distinctive, vintage UNIQLO tags.

Used clothing is upcycled and re-dyed using technology from Komatsu Matere, a long-established fabric manufacturer. In addition to dyeing at high temperatures, items are processed under conditions that have a sterilizing effect, helping to remove the distinctive odor common to old fabrics. Items are available in four colors (pink, dark green, blue, and gray), and feature a washed-out texture that can’t be produced by ordinary laundering. With these pieces, customers are able to enjoy the true charms of secondhand clothes, with each piece being unique.

Ayumu Hirano

“I enjoyed looking through the secondhand UNIQLO clothing on offer, especially because of their basic designs” says Hirano. “Other secondhand clothes might also have nice colors, silhouettes, and sizes, but I always feel like I didn’t want to wear logos… So I like the simple designs of these vintage UNIQLO items.”


Ayumu Hirano: Stylish fits with secondhand UNIQLO


Ayumu Hirano
Blue monotone brought to life through unique dyeing process
A blue-dyed striped T-shirt, layered with a blue-dyed checked shirt, and a blue-dyed hoodie worn over the top. By combining items with the same tone, the mixture of patterns produces depth and balance.

Outfit Items
Hoodie, Shirt, T-shirt: Secondhand
Jeans: Relaxed Ankle Jeans

* Secondhand clothes are not sold through the online store. Items can only be purchased at the pop-up stores in Japan.


Ayumu Hirano
A mature look with a basic dyed shirt
A basic shirt dyed in pale khaki is complemented by black jeans. Underneath the shirt, Hirano wears a tank top for a mature look.

Outfit Items
Shirt: Secondhand
Tank top: Dry Color Ribbed Tank Top
Jeans: Wide Straight Jeans

* Secondhand clothes are not sold through the online store. Items can only be purchased at the pop-up stores in Japan.

Ayumu HiranoPerfect balance and relaxed styling
A relaxed, casual style with a pink-dyed checked shirt and beige chino pants. Wide pants provide the best balance.

Outfit Items
Shirt: Secondhand
Tank top: Dry Color Ribbed Tank Top
Pants: Uniqlo U Wide-Fit Chinos Pants

* Secondhand clothes are not sold through the online store. Items can only be purchased at the pop-up stores in Japan.


Hirano’s essential fashion advice, as told to Japanese men’s fashion magazine MEN’S NON-NO:

Ayumu Hirano

“The most important attitude is to focus on the things that you like, rather than obsessing with trends. Try wearing things that you think you might like, and use a process of repeated trial and error. As you search, you’ll discover for yourself what works for you and what doesn’t, and find that perfect fit.”

* Secondhand clothes are not sold through the online store. Items can only be purchased at the pop-up stores.



POP-UP STORE INFORMATION


UNIQLO Setagaya Chitosedai (Tokyo)
Schedule: Until August 31 (Saturday)
Address: Carino Chitosedai 1F
3-20-1 Chitosedai, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0071
(Store pick-up location: Right rear from the Men’s side entrance)
Phone number: 050-3355-6633
Business hours: Mon-Fri 11:00am - 8:00pm, Weekends and holidays 10:00am - 8:00pm
Open year-round

UNIQLO Tenjin (Fukuoka)
Schedule: Until August 31 (Saturday)
Address: Mina Tenjin 1F/2F
4-3-8 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka 810-0001
(Store pick-up location: Next to the fitting room on the 1st floor)
Phone number: 050-3355-7819
Business hours: 10:00am - 8:00pm
Open year-round

UNIQLO PARK Yokohama Bayside (Kanagawa)
Schedule: July 19 (Fri) to August 18 (Sun)
Address: 6-5 Shiraho, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa 236-0007
(Store pick-up location: Next to the registers on the 1st floor)
Phone number: 045-350-5057
Opening hours: 10:00am - 8:00Ppm
Open year-round



MEN’S NON-NO Online Publication


https://www.mensnonno.jp/fashion/478986/

Staff Credit


Photos: Yuichi Sugita 
Hair & Make-up: Akane Yamasaki 
Stylist: Akio Hasegawa