Judges look at the T-shirts. The design needs to look good on the actual T-shirt. Celebrated artists from different genres participated in the contest as judges. They voted for the Grand Prix winner and Judge's Choice Award winners. The final selection process took more than 2 hours as the judges carefully looked at each T-shirt. The judges are renowned artists. They check the list and the actual T-shirt. Models wore the T-shirts so that the overall balance of the design can be evaluated. Langlands & Bell (photo left) and Hirohiko Araki (photo right) check out details. The 30 works that made the shortlist were on display at the venue. The venue looked like a UNIQLO shop. Artist and judge, Isse Ogata ponder over his vote with a serious face. "It's very difficult to narrow down to three T-shirts". Each T-shirt is a work of free imagination and creativity. Powerful gift of surprise presented as the Grand Prix Winner is announced. The Grand Prix was announced to the drum roll. And just as the winner was announced, the sound of strong Japanese drums reverberated in the room! It was a special performance played for the Grand Prix winner Mr. Tomoyuki Nanno by Za Ondekoza, the Japanese drum group. It was a surprise present to the winner and the crowd was very excited. Then the Judges' Choice awards were announced by the judges. Mr. Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President and CEO of UNIQLO made a remark: "T-shirts are so familiar to daily lives, and they could express the wearer's personality. I believe the T-shirts as media that could conveys messages." Special performance by Za Ondekoza, the Japanese drum group, was a surprise gift to accompany the announcement of the Grand Prix winner. The artists who served as judges and the winners. Comments on Grand Prix and the competition in general by Mr. Isse Ogata. The judges selected the Grand Prix by unanimous votes. Comments for selection included: the design has a solid concept on what the T-shirt is; interesting idea; and the impact of daring to use black & white design. In fact as I walked into the hall where the selection took place, this t-shirt immediately caught my eyes. All in all, there were good collections of high quality designs that connected art and life. Other Finalist >> Mr. Isse Ogata Blessing the future artists Award reception in a relaxed mood. With the artists who served as the judges, the aspiring winners enjoyed conversation with smiles. Reception equipped with DJ booth was filled by excitement. In the rare opportunity of talking face to face with the top artists, winners enjoyed themselves. They got to hear the comments on their works or had their pictures taken with the artists in friendly atmosphere. Lily Franky, in the center back. Two grand-prix winners together. Mr. Nanno, 2006 winner (photo right) with Mr. Younosuke Naitou, winner of the 2005 award (photo left). Mr. Naito reported on the activities he made with the artist support program. I entered the contest because I wanted to make a t-shirt that is out of the ordinary, and simple and new. I thought I'd give it a try but never thought I'd win the grand prize. I'd be thrilled to see different people wearing this T-shirt. I want to take some time to think about how I am going to spend the award money and supplementary prize. The list of winners >>