The Louvre Museum said Thursday it has agreed to collaborate with Japan's Uniqlo casual clothing chain to sell items including T-shirts carrying images of masterpieces in its collection such as the Mona Lisa.

Under a four-year partnership, the museum will create T-shirts and other clothing items together with the Uniqlo clothing brand for sale online as well as at stores. The items will be sold at Uniqlo stores in Japan and worldwide from Feb. 4.

"I hope that many people worldwide would have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Louvre masterpieces," Tadashi Yanai, chairman and CEO of Fast Retailing Co., operator of the Uniqlo, said in a statement.

Uniqlo Co. said on its website that the partnership is aimed at "offering a wide-ranging program to better familiarize the public with the museum's must-see masterpieces and bring the joy of art in daily life."

The Uniqlo brand will be a sponsor from spring for the Louvre's program that offers visitors a chance to see the museum for free every first Saturday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

It will also support the museum initiative providing guided tours mainly for families on certain days.

Britain's famed graphic designer Peter Saville will take care of the design for men's items.

==Kyodo

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