In a significant move for the fashion world, Uniqlo has appointed renowned British designer Clare Waight Keller as its new Creative Director. Taking the reins from September 2023, Keller will spearhead the design of both men’s and women’s collections, expanding her role beyond her current position as designer for Uniqlo’s women’s project ‘UNIQLO: C’.
Keller’s impressive resume includes designing Meghan Markle’s wedding dress and serving as the first female Artistic Director at Givenchy for three years. During her tenure at Givenchy, she dressed numerous celebrities, including Cate Blanchett, Rachel Weisz, and Charlize Theron, showcasing her exceptional talent in haute couture.
Commenting on her new role, Keller expressed her excitement: “I have been so impressed by Uniqlo’s innovation and its ability to create exceptional products. Working with the people at Uniqlo, I am deeply drawn to the brand and the future they are creating. It is a truly exciting and humbling opportunity to be part of evolving LifeWear.”
Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President & CEO of Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., echoed Keller’s enthusiasm, stating, “We are proud to welcome Clare Waight Keller as Uniqlo’s Creative Director. I am impressed by her exceptional creativity and extensive experience, as well as her outstanding ability to balance her perspective on life. With her, we believe we can evolve Uniqlo’s ultimate everyday wear, LifeWear, to make it richer and create clothes that bring even more joy to our customers.”
Katsuhiro Katada, Senior Managing Executive Officer and Head of Uniqlo R&D, expressed his confidence in Keller’s capabilities: “Through her work on UNIQLO: C, I am confident that Clare Waight Keller is one of the world’s leading creators with a high level of balance in both creation and merchandising. Furthermore, I believe that her aesthetic sense and experience, knowledge, and skills based on her intellect will greatly expand the world of Uniqlo’s LifeWear.”
The highly anticipated ‘UNIQLO: C’ Fall/Winter 2024 collection is set to launch on September 6th, including the first-ever men’s items. Keller’s appointment as Creative Director marks a significant step in Uniqlo’s journey to enrich the lives of individuals worldwide through its evolving ‘LifeWear’ concept, offering comfortable, stylish, and functional everyday clothing.
