Uniqlo has appointed Clare Waight Keller as its new creative director, a move set to redefine the brand’s design direction.
- Waight Keller has been instrumental in designing Uniqlo: C since 2023, garnering respect for her creative prowess.
- Her illustrious career includes notable positions at Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy.
- She gained international recognition for designing Meghan Markle’s wedding dress.
- Waight Keller will lead Uniqlo’s mainline collections, including menswear, from autumn/winter 2024.
In a significant move, Uniqlo has appointed Clare Waight Keller as its new creative director. This decision follows her successful tenure as designer for the Uniqlo: C womenswear line, a role she has held since 2023. Waight Keller’s appointment is anticipated to inject a fresh creative energy into Uniqlo’s fashion offerings.
Waight Keller’s career is distinguished by her leadership roles at several premier fashion houses. She has played pivotal roles at Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy. Her influence in the fashion industry was notably solidified when she designed the wedding dress for Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, in 2018. This achievement marked her as a leading figure in fashion design.
Adding to her responsibilities at Uniqlo: C, Waight Keller will now oversee the mainline collections, including menswear, starting autumn/winter 2024. This expanded role is expected to leverage her extensive experience and creative vision to elevate Uniqlo’s product offerings.
Tadashi Yanai, the chairman, president, and CEO of Fast Retailing, Uniqlo’s parent company, expressed confidence in Waight Keller’s ability to transform LifeWear. He commended her originality and consumer-centric approach, believing her leadership will make Uniqlo’s offerings even more appealing to customers.
Yukihiro Katsuta, Fast Retailing’s senior executive officer, highlighted Waight Keller’s unique balance between creation and merchandising. He emphasized her keen aesthetic sense and intellectual capability as instrumental in broadening Uniqlo LifeWear’s appeal. This endorsement underscores her strategic importance to Uniqlo’s future growth.
Waight Keller herself has praised Uniqlo’s innovative spirit and exceptional product development. She expressed her enthusiasm about contributing to the brand’s evolution, remarking, “It is very exciting and an honor for me to be involved in the evolution of LifeWear.”
Clare Waight Keller’s appointment represents a strategic leap forward for Uniqlo, promising an exciting new era in fashion innovation.
