UNIQLO X Nintendo Collection Launch

On, Friday May 19th, Uniqlo celebrated its launch of the UNIQLO X NINTENDO clothing series. The series, meant to connect the gaming empire with Uniqlo’s iconic fashion brand, achieved huge success as the event was quickly filled. The clothing series, featuring Donkey Kong, Pikachu, and Mario (as well as a host of other popular characters) was displayed prominently by the Uniqlo workers at the event.

To add to the Nintendo themed festivities, cheerful cosplayers in Link, Zelda, Donkey Kong, and Mario costumes flooded the Fifth Ave venue with gaming-themed snacks like Doritos, shaped watermelon skewers (served on a bed of grass) and Mountain Dew. Additionally, designated open bars throughout the event served gaming-themed drinks such as “Flower Power” and “1UP”.

The crowd bumped along to the music set by DJ WHUTEVER and every so often, an enthusiastic group would form as a dance virtuoso would show off his moves. The sub-stage, filled with flat screen-televisions, hosted a Mario Kart tournament that quickly became a main event. Twelve people entered and played to win a five hundred dollar Uniqlo gift card, and the competition quickly became heated (but still friendly). People gathered to watch and cheer as competitors decked it out in a multi-tiered 100CC course.

The atmosphere was indeed electric, but what lined the walls of the event could be defined as the very pinnacle of nightly entertainment. Stand-up arcades, each playing an iconic Nintendo rendition, served as the ice breaker for most conversations of the night. The two player arcade aspect served as a genius way to connect and start a conversation between guests of many different walks of life.

At 9:30 pm, when things finally came to a close, UNIQLO X NINTENDO shirts were distributed amongst excited guests. Fifth Avenue soon thrummed with energy as cheering people spilled out of the flagship store and started to head home. Guests could be seen laughing and smiling for blocks indicating the wild success of the evening.

Photos courtesy of Jason Lewis