Now that Scotland’s only branch of Uniqlo has been open for over two months, I’ve managed to explore most corners of the Edinburgh Princes Street store. The only area to evade me thus far is the Re.Uniqlo studio, which is up on the first floor.
Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to our daily newsletter , get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. This useful space is the sixth of these offerings in the UK, with the first launching in the London Regent Street store in 2022. It’s unique because, not only does it do alterations – free on trousers priced £19.
90 or above – they also take donations of clothing so they can redistribute to others who need them, and recycle well-loved pieces. They can also breathe new life into old Uniqlo items , with a repair and remake service. That might involve sashiko (a Japanese style of embroidery, involving stitches or patches) or other customisations.
Beside the counter, there are rails of one-off pieces that they’ve upcycled, with colourful prints and designs, all waiting for new owners. I’m visiting for the repair service, as I have a rather embarrassingly moth-eaten Uniqlo cashmere sweater that’s on its last legs. I didn’t realise quite how badly damaged it was, until I took.
