How UNIQLO Singapore is turning a museum pop-up into its next canvas

UNIQLO Singapore is teaming up with the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) to launch its first-ever museum pop-up, as the Japanese apparel brand looks to make art more accessible through fashion.

Running for almost two months at the ACM lobby, the pop-up will showcase a curated selection from UNIQLO’s UT graphic T-shirt range alongside the new UNIQLO x ACM local UTme! collection. The activation is part of ACM’s upcoming festival “Crossing cultures” and coincides with “A weekend of curiosities”, a series of free arts programmes taking place from 10 to 12 April 2026.

The collaboration taps into ACM’s focus on presenting the art and history of Asia through Singapore’s position as a cosmopolitan port city shaped by trade and cultural exchange. Through the partnership, UNIQLO aims to translate this heritage into wearable art.

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Launching on 10 April, the "UNIQLO x ACM UTme!" collection reinterprets selected museum objects through a contemporary lens. Designs draw inspiration from artefacts such as a candelabra, a pitcher in the form of a dancing woman, and a palampore. These are reimagined by local artists Knuckles & Notch, Gabriel De Souza, SONG, HAFI and Nikkei, each bringing their distinct visual styles ranging from quirky and whimsical executions to bold graphic treatments.

Visitors will be able to preview the collection at ACM before heading to UNIQLO’s UTme! stores at Orchard Central global flagship store, ION Orchard, VivoCity and Jewel Changi Airport to customise their designs.

Beyond the local collaboration, the museum pop-up will also spotlight a broader mix of UT collections, including "NY pop art"featuring iconic prints from Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Other collaboration lines such as Tate Modern and Ukiyo-e "Blue Prints" will also be featured, alongside UNIQLO’s "Peach for all" t-shirts.

As part of “A weekend of curiosities”, visitors can take part in drop-in crafts and creative workshops led by local artists and makers, including Knuckles & Notch, exploring different materials and techniques. The programme will also feature live music by local artists on the ACM Green during the day, followed by outdoor film screenings in the evening.

To drive engagement and footfall to its retail ecosystem, UNIQLO is tying in app-led and retail-based incentives. Visitors who download the UNIQLO app, post on social media and tag UNIQLO Singapore can redeem a SG$6 UT/UTme! voucher, redeemable in stores only.

In addition, with every purchase of an ACM x UTme! T-shirt from UNIQLO Orchard Central global flagship store, VivoCity, Jewel Changi Airport and ION Orchard, customers can redeem complimentary access to ACM’s special exhibitions and all-access areas. Redemptions are limited to the first 100 customers per month until 30 July 2026.

Positioned at the intersection of art, fashion and community, the tie-up between UNIQLO and ACM looks to create a platform for visitors to experience the local arts scene while discovering new interpretations of Asian heritage through contemporary design.

“The concept of 'Art for all' has long been a core part of the UNIQLO LifeWear philosophy with the goal to offer the greatest exposure to art, culture and design to the largest possible audience," said Daisuke Hamada, chief finance officer, UNIQLO Singapore and ASEAN region.

He added, "We’re delighted to take our commitment a step further in Singapore with our first-ever pop-up designed to spotlight ACM’s rich heritage and local artists. This collaboration is one of the many ways we bring to life our belief that art should be accessible and integrated into daily life.”

In tandem, Clement Onn, director of the Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum said, "This partnership with UNIQLO Singapore reflects our shared commitment to making the National Collection more accessible and meaningful to broader audiences. By engaging contemporary creative practice and design, we can interpret these cross-cultural works from fresh perspectives—connecting past and present in ways that resonate with how people live, create, and express themselves today." 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out for more information.

The UNIQLO x ACM initiative also builds on the brand’s broader push into experiential marketing in Singapore. Earlier this year, UNIQLO staged a closed-door takeover of Tanjong Beach Club for its 2026 Spring/Summer launch, transforming the venue into two immersive “Urban Rome” and “Amalfi Coast” environments to physically express its LifeWear philosophy.

Marketing director Paulene Ong told MARKETING-INTERACTIVE at the time that the move away from purely store-led or digital-first launches was driven by a need to spark genuine delight and earned organic content, as consumers become more discerning about paid and influencer-heavy campaigns.

That beach club activation leaned into materiality and context while leveraging long-standing celebrity relationships and Instagram takeovers for amplification. Ong stressed that such experiences are less about spectacle and more about making LifeWear tangible, reinforcing UNIQLO’s positioning as a provider of simple, functional clothing that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

Be part of #Content360 Singapore, 22–23 April 2026, where creativity and culture collide. Explore how AI-driven storytelling is shaping the future of content, gain practical insights, discover new tactics, and learn how the best in Asia are creating campaigns that truly resonate. 

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