Clare Waight Keller – designer of Meghan Markle’s wedding dress, former artistic director of Givenchy and former creative director of Chloe – has a new gig. The British fashion designer has teamed up with Japanese retail giant Uniqlo for a new womenswear sub-line called Uniqlo:C. The debut collection will drop at the brand’s Orchard Central Global Flagship, its Ion Orchard outpost and online on Sep 15.
Clare Waight Keller left the fashion scene in 2020 when she exited Givenchy after three years as artistic director. Her gig with Uniqlo:C marks her big return to the industry.
The designs, which span ready-to-wear, bags and shoes, focus on Uniqlo’s concept of “Lifewear”, the company’s shorthand for everyday clothes that deliver comfort and functionality. The lightweight down jacket, for instance, has been treated with anti-static technology, while trenchcoats are made with gabardine twill that is meant to be suitable for the four seasons. These are given the signature Waight Keller touch in the form flou, pleats and a boy-meets-girl aesthetic.
She said: “I have long appreciated its LifeWear design philosophy of technical innovation and functional authenticity. 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.”
Waight Keller puts her signature boy-meets-girl formula for the debut collection of Uniqlo:C
Uniqlo:C is the latest in a string of sub-brands that Uniqlo has created with high-profile designers. It teamed up with German fashion designer Jil Sander from 2009 to 2011 for the well-loved +J line. It was revived in 2020 before being discontinued a year later. Meanwhile, designer Christophe Lemaire currently heads a Paris design team for the Uniqlo U line, which is known for its more contemporary silhouettes.
Ahead, we showcase some of the items you can cop from the collection.
