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Japanese casualwear retailer Uniqlo opening 2 Houston stores in October

The Japanese casual-clothing retailer Uniqlo has revealed the opening dates for its two Houston-area locations. First up will be Memorial City Mall on October 11, while the First Colony Mall store will welcome customers beginning October 18.

Uniqlo sells selection of men's, women's, and children's clothing that strike a balance between hip style and comfort, offered at affordable prices. It emphasizes thoughtful design and constant innovation. Houston shoppers should be excited to add its pants, sweaters, dresses, jackets, and t-shirts to their wardrobes.

The company was founded in 1984 in Hiroshima, Japan. Founder Tadashi Yanai took over his father’s suiting store and transformed it into the unisex, casualwear line it is today. They now have more than 2,400 locations globally. Their first U.S. store opened in 2005 in New Jersey.

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Window of Uniqlo's Topenga Mall location in California, showing mannequins in puffer jackets and hats.

Courtesy of Uniqlo

The two Houston Uniqlo stores are part of a broader expansion for the brand.

To celebrate the grand openings, shoppers can expect a host of specials and events, exclusive promotions, giveaways, and customer experiences. Each store also plans to engage with the local community through partnerships with nonprofit organizations as part of its Re.Uniqlo circularity program, which emphasizes sustainability and giving back. In Houston, Uniqlo is partnering with Harmony, House Inc., a local nonprofit dedicated to the housing and health care needs of Houston’s homeless population.

The two openings in Houston join Uniqlo stores slated to open in Dallas, adding to the company's Texas footprint. The Galleria Dallas store will open on October 18, followed by The Parks Mall in Arlington and Stonebriar Centre in Frisco locations on Friday, October 25.

“Uniqlo is excited to open five new stores across Texas, an expansion that highlights our dedication to bringing our high-quality, innovative LifeWear and exceptional retail experience to customers all throughout the Lone Star State,” said Yoshihide Shindo, CEO of Uniqlo USA. “We can’t wait to connect with our new Texan neighbors and become a valuable part of their daily lives.”

The Texas openings are part of an ongoing brand expansion, spurred by the company's growth during the 2023 fiscal year. More than 20 new locations are planned for 2024; approximately half of those stores are already open.

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TEXAS THREADS

Shiner and Texas Standard brew up a limited-edition new collab for men

Photo courtesy of Shiner

The limited-edition Texas Standard x Shiner collection blends performance apparel with classic Texas style, including polos, pearl snap shirts, and the brand's signature guayabera.

The new Texas Standard x Shiner collection just dropped, and it is way more than a famous beer logo slapped on a t-shirt. The two Texas brands — one a clothing company known for its made-in-Texas products and an iconic Texas brewery — teamed up to create a limited-edition line inspired by the Lone Star State's unique lifestyle. This capsule collection was designed to fit in everywhere from dance halls and fishing trips to sports games and happy hours.

Shiner has been brewing beer in Texas for more than a century, and this partnership was a great way to celebrate its heritage beyond what’s in the bottle. For Texas Standard, known for modernizing Texas staples with performance fabrics, it was a chance to collaborate with one of the state's most recognizable brands.

"Shiner and Texas Standard already speak the same Texan language, so everything about the collection is authentic, not forced," Joshua Brito, vice president of marketing and direct at Texas Standard, tells CultureMap. "We leaned on the iconic marks and imagery Shiner's built over 100-plus years, then layered in the same authentic Texas details that run through everything we make. One of our goals was to avoid a flat logo lockup merch drop. Every piece needed to be something someone's proud to wear, carrying what Shiner, Texas Standard, and Texas stand for."

Shiner x Texas Standard Inspired by more than a century of Shiner brewing tradition, the collaboration celebrates Texas heritage with apparel designed for everything from brewery patios to dance halls.Photo courtesy of Texas Standard and Shiner

That attention to detail shows throughout the collection, which features graphic tees, a baseball cap, pearl snap shirts, and a reimagined version of Texas Standard's bestselling Guayabera Libre. Rather than oversized logos or novelty graphics, Shiner and Texas Standard focused on design details.

The Guayabera Libre features breathable, moisture-wicking fabric with UPF 40. It includes hidden pockets, mesh venting, and a water-resistant finish. This technical fishing shirt, styled as a Texas classic, was made for both hanging out on a boat and at a backyard barbecue.

While the Guayabera Libre shirt might steal the spotlight, it isn’t the only standout. The Traditions Polo in Shiner Gold features hand-drawn illustrations inspired by Texas culture and Shiner's 100-plus-year history. The Western Traditions Polo incorporates pearl snaps and classic yoke styling with lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric, a signature of the Texas Standard.

"We started with pieces that we already know resonate with our shared audience," said Brito. "The Guayabera Libre and pearl snap shirts we're known for include moisture-wicking, breathable fabric from the start, not added on. From there, the Texas flair came easy."

The collection was designed as a standalone release and is expected to remain online through September on Shiner and Texas Standard’s websites.

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