UNIQLO and Cate Blanchett Launch "stories she tells" to Share Women's Stories and Foster New Dialogue and Connections - Inaugural issue of new literary magazine planned for autumn 2027; the University of Tokyo joins as first university partner

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of "stories she tells," an initiative supported by Global Brand Ambassador Cate Blanchett that aims to create more opportunities for women to share their writing, voices and stories with a wider audience. Through UNIQLO's first-ever literary magazine featuring essays selected through an open call and reading events, this project aims to share diverse voices and perspectives across genders and generations, fostering new dialogue and connections. The initiative begins with the University of Tokyo as its launch partner, with the hope of expanding globally through partnerships with universities around the world in the future.

Through its LifeWear philosophy of clothing, UNIQLO has sought to support people in living with comfort, confidence, and freedom. And self-expression extends beyond what we wear. It also lives in the stories we tell through our own experiences and perspectives, and UNIQLO believes everyone deserves to be the author of their own story. Yet not all women have had the same opportunities to share their stories with a wider audience. Through its stores and digital channels around the world, UNIQLO has delivered clothing to people everywhere. We now want to bring that same reach to help encourage connections through the written word.

Throughout her career, UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Cate Blanchett has celebrated the vitality of women's stories. Her commitment to the amplification of diverse voices often kept out of the mainstream resonates with UNIQLO's ongoing exploration of what makes life better, and this project emerged through ongoing dialogue to find a way to channel these ideas into action.

The centerpiece of "stories she tells" will be UNIQLO's first-ever literary magazine, featuring essays selected through an open call, with the inaugural issue scheduled for autumn 2027. The theme for this first issue is "Connection," embodying the desire for connections between people, shared experience, and each person's story within society. The content will focus on conveying women's experiences and perspectives through storytelling, sparking new questions and dialogues among readers. Submissions will be accepted starting this winter.^* Selected contributors will also receive support for their writing activities and opportunities for mentorship through the project. In addition, UNIQLO plans to include academic research papers and literary works related to the theme. Cate Blanchett will chair the selection committee for essays to be included in the magazine.

To incorporate academic knowledge and perspectives and create opportunities for deeper reflection on stories, culture, and society, UNIQLO is developing the project in partnership with the University of Tokyo, in Japan, the home of UNIQLO. Consulting for the literary magazine themes and editing will be provided by faculty members at the University of Tokyo's Center for Coproduction of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IncluDE), which will also jointly produce the content. A reading event to promote the project was held yesterday at the University of Tokyo General Library for 50 students, fostering dialogue among speakers from diverse backgrounds. Following this inaugural program in Japan, the project may expand to include university partners outside Japan, with more editions of "stories she tells" to be announced.

*Details on essay submissions will be announced around December this year.

Comments on the launch of "stories she tells"

Cate Blanchett, UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador

"It's a privilege to work with UNIQLO on this targeted new initiative, "stories she tells", which amplifies the perspectives of female writers. The opportunity to create a fresh platform for creative expression is one I will relish. It will be an honor to connect the selected writers, setting sail at the inaugural Tokyo edition, with a broad global audience through Uniqlo's channels. My hope is that "stories she tells" will help create an open door for engaged, connected freedom of creative expression for a new generation of writers whose voices might otherwise go unheard, and build a connective network across mentorship opportunities".

Serena Peck, Chief Operating Officer, Fast Retailing

At Fast Retailing, we've seen firsthand the power of creating opportunities for people to realize their full potential. We understand the importance of expanding pathways for talent to thrive, but we also believe our responsibility for equitable opportunities goes beyond our own organization. That is why I'm especially excited about the launch of Stories She Tells. By creating a platform for women share their perspectives, we hope to expand opportunities for underrepresented voices and be a positive force to society where every individual is respected.

Teruo Fujii, President, The University of Tokyo

The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) is committed to creating new value for society through diversity and dialogue. I am delighted that this collaborative initiative with UNIQLO, which brings the stories of women around the world to a wider audience, is being launched here at UTokyo. I hope this project will inspire students not only to listen to diverse voices but also to appreciate both the challenges and the joys of sharing their own experiences and ideas. Through this initiative, I also hope that individual voices will help connect people and resonate far beyond our campus, reaching people around the world.

About the "stories she tells" project

"stories she tells" embodies the desire to bring to light the diverse stories told by women. Rather than championing a single solution or specific role model, the project aims to elevate the voices of women with different experiences and perspectives. While the stories and writing at the heart of the project are by women, they are intended to be shared with everyone, regardless of gender, creating opportunities for broader dialogue and understanding.

UNIQLO stories she tells launch commemorative reading event at the University of Tokyo

A reading event to mark the launch of stories she tells was held yesterday at the University of Tokyo General Library for the University of Tokyo students and faculty, and members of the media. University of Tokyo President Teruo Fujii opened the event by sharing his expectations for participating in this project, followed by an introduction of the story behind the project's launch from Fast Retailing's COO Serena Peck, and UNIQLO's approach to diversity. Cate Blanchett then took the stage to give a speech sharing her thoughts and vision for the project.

The main event was a panel discussion facilitated by Kaori Hayashi, Executive Director and Vice President of The University of Tokyo, with panelists Mieko Kawakami, a writer known for her depictions of women's experiences, bodies, and relationships with society, Haruka Ueno and Aki Hoshino, university students leading a student group focused on activities related to women's empowerment, and Cate Blanchett. The panel discussion opened with a reading of an excerpt from one of Kawakami's best-known works, Breasts and Eggs, and concluded with Cate Blanchett reading Clarice Lispector's Belonging, which she selected herself as an essay related to "Connection," the theme of the inaugural issue of the magazine. The panelists exchanged opinions on the theme of "Connection" from the perspectives of their respective fields on such topics as storytelling and the significance of conveying women's voices to society, creating moments for new dialogue and learning.

After the event, a book fair was held in the plaza in front of the library. More than 130 books curated for the project concept were available, with visitors reading in the plaza, chatting with one another over books, and spending time in their own way.

"Belonging," by Clarice Lispector
From Too Much of Life: The Complete Crônicas Translated from the Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa and Robin Patterson
Copyright © Paulo Gurgel Valente, 2022
Copyright © Todas as Crônicas, 2018
Translation copyright © 2022 by Margaret Jull Costa & Robin Patterson
Afterword copyright © 2022 by Paulo Gurgel Valente

Top of page

Group News