SINGAPORE \u2013 The winners of a T-shirt design contest jointly organised by The Straits Times and Uniqlo were announced at the Japanese apparel chain\u2019s flagship store in Orchard Central on Nov 27.<\/p>\n
Their three original designs are launching on Nov 28 as part of the UTme! x ST180 collection, themed Telling Your Singapore Story. ST contributed another three designs. <\/p>\n
The roll-out is one of a series of events in 2025 marking the newspaper\u2019s 180th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The iconic dragon fixture from one of the last remaining old-school playgrounds, in Toa Payoh, is the centrepiece of 46-year-old illustrator Sandara Tang\u2019s winning submission. Its coiled body is festooned with blooms, in a nod to Singapore\u2019s \u201cgarden city\u201d nickname.<\/p>\n
The collaboration could not have come at a better time, as Ms Tang is a fan of both brands.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cI enjoy reading ST\u2019s print edition with my morning coffee, and then my 15-year-old son and husband read it.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd about 50 per cent of my husband\u2019s and my tops, and around 90 per cent of my son\u2019s shirts, are from Uniqlo. We\u2019ve been buying clothing from Uniqlo since it opened its first store in Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n Contest winner Sandara Tang and her son Drake checking out a display corner showcasing winning designs from the UTme! x ST180 contest and T-shirts designed by The Straits Times artists at Uniqlo at Orchard Central on Nov 27.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Meanwhile, Nanyang Technological University undergraduate Justina Low\u2019s design features a camera, pictured with multiple generations of Singapore figures like the samsui women and labourers of the 20th century. The 21-year-old is an aspiring artist.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cI received the news (that I won) in the midst of my exam period. It felt like a breather from all the school stress, a reminder that I am making meaningful progress beyond my studies.\u201d<\/p>\n Lastly, graphic designer and illustrator Daphne Ong\u2019s artwork blends national dishes with Singapore stamps. The 38-year-old said: \u201cSeeing my design on sale at Uniqlo is such a special moment for me. I\u2019m super grateful for the opportunity and it makes my heart so full, knowing that something I created is out there for people to wear and to share our love for food.\u201d<\/p>\n The three winners received $600 Uniqlo vouchers each, a one-year ST digital subscription valued at $358.80 and limited-edition ST180 merchandise.<\/p>\n The UTme! x ST180 limited series is priced at $19.90 in kids\u2019 sizing and $29.90 for adults. It is available until July 31, 2026, on a print-on-demand basis at Uniqlo\u2019s Jewel, VivoCity and Orchard Central stores.<\/p>\n Ms Julia Huang from Uniqlo printing a UTme! T-shirt designed by The Straits Times artist Cel Gulapa.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Every purchase comes with an ST180 limited-edition keychain.<\/p>\n ST\u2019s original T-shirt designs include a print of the very first issue of Singapore\u2019s paper of record, published on July 15, 1845. It featured not news, but descriptions of the publication, notices and advertisements on the front page. A translated excerpt from a book on French history went over pages five and six.<\/p>\n Front page of the first issue of The Straits Times for the UTme! x ST180 collection.<\/p>\n PHOTO: ST FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n A tiger orchid and elusive leopard cat are drawn into a grid of Singapore\u2019s flora and fauna in a second design by ST executive artist Lee Yu Hui, 31, while ST senior infographics journalist Cel Gulapa, 65, depicts the tapestry of national life. The busy illustration captures the MRT, HDB blocks and a wry mynah bird, among other Singapore tokens.<\/p>\n Said ST editor Jaime Ho: \u201cThis partnership with Uniqlo has been a wonderful way to celebrate local creativity, and a great way to end a year\u2019s events and celebrations that marked ST180. We\u2019re inspired by all who took part, whose designs so beautifully capture the stories of everyday Singapore.\u201d<\/p>\n (From left) The Straits Times editor Jaime Ho and artists Lee Yu Hui and Cel Gulapa; UTme! x ST180 contest winners Justina Low, Sandara Tang and Daphne Ong with Ms Ong’s son Luke; Uniqlo Singapore\u2019s chief financial officer Daisuke Hamada, and marketing director Paulene Ong.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Uniqlo Singapore\u2019s marketing director Paulene Ong added: \u201cWe thank our community for bringing their personal Singapore stories to life through diverse and heartfelt expressions of art.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether with The Straits Times, we are proud to transform these stories into LifeWear that celebrate Singapore\u2019s everyday moments.\u201d<\/p>\n Sandara Tang: Our garden city<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: SANDARA TANG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cI wanted to use the dragon playground as the base shape to hold the design together, and I wanted the overall form to roughly resemble \u2018Sg\u2019. I draped plants over it, like how bougainvillea overhangs many of our overhead bridges \u2013 which was my primary inspiration.\u201d<\/p>\n Justina Low: Capturing multi-generations \u200bthrough the camera<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: JUSTINA LOW<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cThe main spark came from the daguerreotype, the earliest form of photography, which means \u2018writing with light\u2019. Different generations walked through the camera lens, taking centre stage. Under the same sun and light, their stories are shared in a timeless newspaper like ST, and the same stories can be translated today.\u201d<\/p>\n Daphne Ong: Food is my playground<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: DAPHNE ONG<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cI wanted to share my love for food in a playful way. Using stamps \u2013 a nod to my childhood collection \u2013 I created frames that give the piece a fun, playground-like design. Parents often say, \u2018Don\u2019t play with your food\u2019, but this is my chance to do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n Cel Gulapa: Capturing the rhythm of life and textures of our home<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: CELESTINO GULAPA<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cSingapore\u2019s identity is a rich tapestry woven from diverse threads. This narrative is highlighted by the smooth, extensive transport system, which is illustrated by using the luggage belt \u2013 a testament to our airport\u2019s efficiency. Despite the urban density, Singapore is deeply committed to nature, integrating green spaces that provide habitats for various animals.\u201d<\/p>\n Lee Yu Hui: Highlighting the native species of flora and fauna that can be found in Singapore.<\/p>\n ST PHOTO: LEE YU HUI<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \u201cMy design is inspired by plastic model kits, where many individual parts are assembled to form an awesome figurine. I wanted to showcase the lesser-known plants and animals that come together to create our beautiful, biodiverse city.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/picture><\/div>
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