From Tokyo to Cebu

Cebuanos waited more than three decades for retail giant Uniqlo to open in Cebu. The store first opened in Japan in 1984. So when news spread of Uniqlo's arrival here, the collective reaction was an enthusiastic "Finally!" The big following the brand has was evident in the more than 500 guests that trooped to the Northwing atrium of SM City Cebu for the pre-opening party two days before the Cebu store officially opened to the public.

During the pre-opening, a well-represented group of trendsetters, local media, influential families and luminaries in their respective fields were in full attendance. The short program began with Uniqlo Philippines Chief Operating Officer Katsumi Kubota addressing the standing-room- only-crowd, "Uniqlo is not fast fashion. Uniqlo makes clothes for life, based on the Japanese values of simplicity, quality and longevity. Our Lifewear concept is 'Simple Made Better'… simple apparel with a not-so-simple purpose to make everyday life better."

A ceremonial sake barrel breaking Kagami Biraki (literally "opening of the lid") - a Japanese tradition that symbolizes opening to harmony and good fortune - was performed to commemorate the milestone. It was led by Mr. Kubota and participated in by SM City Cebu Mall Manager Van Aberia, SM VP of Operations Jocelyn Veloso, Uniqlo SM Seaside Store Manager Steph Mendiola, Uniqlo SM Cebu Store Manager Kat Concepcion, Uniqlo Philippines Co-COO Masayoshi Nakamura, Uniqlo Philippines General Manager Geraldine Sia, Uniqlo Area Manager Kauro Wada,Uniqlo Area Manager Toshiyuki Oga, Uniqlo Marketing Manager Taisuya Kobuchi, and SM Regional Operations Manager for Visayas Sherry Tuvilla.

A fashion presentation highlighted some of Uniqlo's most stylish, staple pieces and models portrayed tableaus depicting travel, corporate and tropical themes.  Everyone was then led to the 1,000 square-meter store for the exclusive shopping experience of guests who got first dibs on the brand's wide range of quality apparel for men, women and kids and the opening week promotions.

Known for high-quality casual wear, Uniqlo offers clothing with innovation and real value. Committed to carrying clothing that focuses on the wearer, product offerings include everyday wear necessities such as premium denim jeans, stylish leggings pants, colorful chino shorts, graphic T-shirts, polo shirts, Supima Cotton T-shirts and innerwear. The product line-up will also include the brand's unique and proprietory collections AIRism, HEATTECH, and Ultra-Light Down (ULD) among others.

Uniqlo has stores in Japan, US, Australia, France, United Kingdom, Singapore, China and Malaysia, among others. In Cebu, Uniqlo is located at the 1st Level, The Northwing, SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City.