Make Way For Uniqlo: Ciao OMG

The sign is up on Broadway, and Japan’s answer to The Gap is coming. Actually, Uniqlo has been here for a few months, but you might have missed it in its current trial run on Greene Street. In fact, Uniqlo has been charming The Shophound since they opened a pop-up store on Lafayette street last fall to promote its first US stores in New Jersey. Another temporary store opened for the holidays in the space left vacant by the sadly missed Bagutta Life, and it was so successful that it became permanent, or at least until Uniqlo could make its full Manhattan debut on Broadway where their "global flagship" will be their largest store anywhere. Yes, they are taking the place of an OMG Jeans store but, really, aren’t there enough of those on Broadway? We don’t miss it. What do we love about Uniqlo? Find out after the jump.

We love the low, low prices, and the remarkably high quality. In fact the prices are more Old Navy than Gap. We love the simple styling and the subtle details that suggest that the product is still designed for Japan and has not yet been homogenized by the forces of the American market. We love the great underwear. We love the cashmeres in a rainbow of colors that are about the same price as a T-shirt at Barney’s. On out last visit, we found a huge selection of silk screened tees in a variety of designs. Some were collaborations with traditional Japanese businesses, while others had signed designs by art students from, among other places the Royal College of Art, London and Parsons, The New School for Design. Specially priced at $9.99 (regularly a whopping $15.50) they were at least the equal of anything at the Co-op or Scoop, if not much better. We can’t wait for the full store.

Uniqlo 76 Greene Street, SoHo, 546 Broadway opening Fall 2006

Comments

[pantagleize]

UNIQLO has leased the basement, 1st & 2nd Floors at 546 Broadway. Each floor is approx. 17,500 ft. sq. Currently those floors are completely separated, but UNIQLO's architects are doing major interior renovations -- removing vast expanses of floor joists between those floors and installing escalators / stairs / glass between the floors to open up the spaces. Word is that part of the 2nd floor will include work space for UNIQLO's design / business teams.