On Monday, October 16, UNIQLO announced the launch of “Clothes for Smiles”, a program developed in collaboration with UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic. Through this initiative, the company will establish a $10 million fund and use it to bring smiles to kids all over the world, nurturing their dreams and giving them the tools to build a better and brighter future. A portion of global revenues from the sale of HEATTECH and Ultra Light Down items sold during the 2012 fall/winter season will go to the fund.
“Clothes for Smiles” will be comprised of two programs, at $5 million each. One program will accept ideas from around the world to give children a better tomorrow, and the second will be an initiative to provide support to programs aimed at improving children’s education, through a global alliance agreement signed between UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) and Fast Retailing. The program will initially provide support to Bangladesh, China, Philippines and Serbia, with more countries to follow.
Commenting on the launch of “Clothes for Smiles”, Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President & CEO of leading global Japanese retailer Fast Retailing, said, “I am very pleased to launch today “Clothes for Smiles“, the first fund to be established by UNIQLO, in partnership with Novak Djokovic. This is an innovative CSR initiative in terms of its scale, type of support provided, and its style of accepting ideas for the fund worldwide. “Clothes for Smiles“ will serve as one of UNIQLO’s major CSR activities alongside ongoing initiatives such as the All-Product Recycling Program and the social business.”
UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Novak Djokovic said, “I feel honoured, and indeed very excited, to have collaborated with UNIQLO in developing “Clothes for Smiles“, a totally new program that aims at giving children of all ages a chance for a better future. I hope many people from all around the world will help to support this initiative and in doing so will bring smiles to children everywhere.”
To find out how to be involved in “Clothes for Smiles” and how to share ideas for the Fund/Idea Selection Process, read the full article on www.novakdjokovicfoundation.org.
