Uniqlo Teams Up With Acclaimed Fashion Designer Clare Waight Keller For A New Label

Clare Waight Keller, former artistic director of Givenchy and creative director of Chloé, is set to herald a new era for UNIQLO’s womenswear with the launch of UNIQLO : C, a new, permanent label under the global retailer. The letter C was selected to represent curiosity, conversation, city, clarity, connection, creativity and of course, the designer’s name. Launching on Sep 15, 2023, the collection will feature the British fashion designer’s distinctive designs: Contemporary silhouettes, fluid designs and delicate use of colour.

Over the course of her decades-long career, Keller has often been praised for revitalising heritage brands and helping them achieve commercial success. With her extensive experience in delivering comfort and functionality, it should come as no surprise that UNIQLO : C promises to deliver refined ready-to-wear separates that feel tailor-made. 

Starting off strong, one of the key pieces from the collection is a classic trench coat, reimagined in a four-season gabardine twill. Other highlights include PUFFTECH blousons and coats, knife-pleated maxi skirts in satin as well as relaxed sweaters, cardigans and UNIQLO’s iconic round-shoulder bag in an oversized iteration. 

“I am honoured to have been asked to create a new label for UNIQLO. I have long appreciated its LifeWear design philosophy of technical innovation and functional authenticity,” said Keller in a press statement. “I have always admired the Japanese aesthetic of subtlety, simplicity and detailed perfection, so to be able to work with the UNIQLO team to craft a new sensibility for my womenswear collection on such a global scale is a truly exciting opportunity.”

“UNIQLO : C marks an exciting new chapter in the design of UNIQLO women’s wear. I believe Clare’s wealth of experience and her designs that fully appreciate the modern woman will usher in a new standard of LifeWear for women,” said Yukihiro Katsuta, Fast Retailing Group Senior Executive Officer and Head of R&D for UNIQLO. “We hope to continue to work with Clare for a long time to come, creating collections full of energy and sensibility that will delight the wearer.”

The UNIQLO : C collection is priced between S$14.90 and S$199.90.

This article was originally published on Harper's Bazaar Singapore.