UNIQLO is celebrating Filipino craftsmanship through Re.UNIQLO Studio’s Special Artisan Patches. More than decorative pieces, the designs carry the stories of artisan communities across the country and are meant to help keep long-standing traditions alive.

The patches were created by artisans from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) Schools of Living Traditions (SLT) as part of Uniqlo Philippines’ “Filipino Artisan Patches for the Celebration of 70 Years of Japan-Philippines Friendship.” The milestone marks seven decades since the two countries normalized diplomatic relations in 1956, a relationship that today spans trade, development assistance, and a large Filipino community in Japan. Proceeds from the sale of every patch go directly to support SLT, in partnership with the ABS-CBN Foundation.

SLT is a community-based educational program established in 1995 by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. It is designed to safeguard and pass on arts, crafts, oral traditions, rituals, and music to younger generations, helping protect these traditions from disappearing amid modernization. The community-based transmission model echoes the approach emphasized in the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which the Philippines ratified in 2006.

Re.UNIQLO Studio is the brand’s in-store sustainability initiative aimed at extending the lifespan of LifeWear items through repair, recycling, and embroidery services. Extending garment life is a central lever in circular fashion: research by the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates that keeping clothes in active use for an extra nine months would reduce their carbon, water and waste footprints by around 20 to 30 percent each. Through its Special Artisan Patches, the program reinterprets Filipino heritage in collaboration with artist and art director Wilson Limon and local artisan communities. The patches were handcrafted by artisans from the Itneg community of Abra, the Panay Bukidnon community of Iloilo, and the T’boli community of Lake Sebu, using traditional embroidery techniques to transform Uniqlo alteration fabric scraps.

The patches showcase the distinct textile traditions of each community. Itneg artisans are known for handwoven textiles and embroidery with geometric patterns. Panay Bukidnon artisans practice panubok, a traditional hand embroidery technique marked by intricate geometric and traditional motifs. T’boli artisans are widely known for their t’nalak weaving tradition — abaca-fiber cloth woven by the community’s “dreamweavers,” whose patterns are traditionally drawn from dreams, and a craft brought to national attention by the late National Living Treasure awardee Lang Dulay — and also practice traditional embroidery.

Customers who want a patch may bring a Uniqlo item they already own or purchase a new one in-store, choose their preferred artisan patch and placement, and have it sewn on for P300, including the embroidery service.

The collaboration runs until Oct. 31. The Special Artisan Patches are available at the Uniqlo Manila Global Flagship Store and branches at SM Mall of Asia, Bonifacio High Street, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, Greenhills, Nuvali, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Davao, Davao Roadside Store, and SM Lanang Premier.