Uniqlo and The Museum of Fine Arts Boston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), and global apparel retailer UNIQLO have announced a new collection of UT Graphic Tees inspired by ukiyo-e prints from the Museum’s preeminent holdings of Japanese art. Drawing on the success of earlier collaborations, the “Dark Fantasy” collection comprises four new T-shirts depicting monsters and ghosts that appeared in popular books and kabuki plays in 19th-century Japan. Launching August 12, the designs will be available online, in UNIQLO stores and at the MFA Shop.

The MFA’s collection of more than 5,000 ukiyo-e woodblock prints is among the largest and finest in the world. Visitors can see a rotating selection in the Museum’s Japanese Print Gallery, which was renovated with support from UNIQLO and unveiled earlier this year as part of a suite of newly transformed Arts of Japan galleries. In celebration of these new spaces, UNIQLO is sponsoring a day of free admission and art making at the MFA on September 14 as well as First Fridays—evenings featuring gallery talks, music and specialty cocktails—on August 2 and September 6.

“Our continuing collaboration with UNIQLO embraces the integration of art, culture and fashion, while broadening the MFA’s engagement with a global audience,” said Debra LaKind, Senior Director, Intellectual Property and Business Development at the MFA. “UNIQLO brings art to life, combining style and culture through wearable designs. We’re incredibly grateful for this ongoing partnership, which enables us to share our renowned collection with the world.”

“We are honored to help bring art to all through this special partnership with the MFA, founded in our shared appreciation of Japanese arts and culture,” said Jean Shein, Global Director of Sustainability at UNIQLO. “The Dark Fantasty collection celebrates a style of Japanese art that our customers have loved seeing in our stores, expressed through a T-shirt. We look forward to the launch of this collaboration and our continued work together with the MFA.”

The “Dark Fantasy” collection designs feature elements drawn from seven iconic prints by some of the most renowned ukiyo-e masters: