Blanchett Chairs New Women's Writing Magazine
Cate Blanchett will lead the selection committee for Stories She Tells, a Uniqlo-backed magazine dedicated to women's voices.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Fashion
Two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett will chair the selection committee for Stories She Tells, a new magazine launched by Uniqlo in collaboration with the University of Tokyo. The publication is dedicated to women's voices, and its first issue is scheduled for autumn 2027.
Why it matters
The project offers a platform for new women writers, with Blanchett saying her work with language as an actress shapes her hope that the magazine can open a door to creative expression. Chosen authors will receive financial support and mentoring.
The first issue of Stories She Tells will be published in autumn 2027 under the theme 'Connection,' with essays selected through an open call for submissions. Specific selection criteria and the number of contributors have not yet been disclosed.
The players
Cate Blanchett
Blanchett is a two-time Oscar-winning actress who has served as Uniqlo's global brand ambassador since 2025, has been a UNHCR goodwill ambassador for ten years, and is this year's visiting professor at Oxford.
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is the Japanese apparel brand operated by Fast Retailing, which reported annual operating profits of $4.7 billion and launched the magazine.
The details
Essays will be chosen through an open call, and the magazine will combine contributors' writing with academic studies and literary works. The project plans to later expand public events and readings to universities in other parts of the world.
Timeline
December: details of the open call for submissions to be announced
Autumn 2027: first issue of Stories She Tells to be published
Roadmap
The launch extends Uniqlo's ambassador relationship with Cate Blanchett, which began in 2025, into editorial publishing rather than product marketing alone. It also follows Blanchett's ten-year role as a UNHCR goodwill ambassador, reflecting a pattern of pairing her public profile with long-term initiatives.
Writers interested in contributing should watch for the December announcement of open call details, which will define how essays are submitted. Financial support and mentoring will be available to selected authors.
The takeaway
Projects that pair established creative figures with open calls can lower barriers for emerging writers, and the Stories She Tells model of combining mentoring with financial support offers a concrete template to watch as details are released.
What happens next
Details of the open call for submissions are expected to be announced in December, ahead of the first issue's publication in autumn 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Fashion coverage on Wisevoter for context on brand collaborations like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FashionNetwork.
