EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (2024)

LONDON —Jonathan Anderson was thinking “universal and quirky,” for the first J.W. Anderson collaboration with Uniqlo, a mash-up of urban, collegiate and military-inspired looks and basics in oversized proportions, tartan and stripes.

The 33-piece collection for Uniqlo’s LifeWear, which was first revealed in March, will launch on September 19 in the U.K., followed by other markets. The collection is for men and women with pieces including a duffle coat, an oversized striped turtleneck with ties around the wrists, a crewneck sweater with an abstract fish floating across the front, a tartan down jacket and a matching padded tote.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (1)

SEE ALSO: Uniqlo Enlists Jonathan Anderson to Bring a British Accent to Life Wear >>

“The point of doing this collaboration was that I believe in democracy in fashion,” said Anderson. “What I hope will be achieved is that any age demographic can pick up and find something within the collection to relate to. Doing something with Uniqlo means you come up with a wardrobe which is universal and quirky.”

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Anderson also responded wholeheartedly to the Japanese idea of “reducing something to its essence. It can be culturally, textile, or silhouette-driven, but it’s about the idea of reducing something down so that you can create the most impact.”

Working with Uniqlo these past few months clearly got under Anderson’s skin: For his spring 2018 men’s collection at Pitti Uomo last month, the designer turned out updated takes on men’s wear staples such as the biker jacket, bomber, jean jacket and hoodie, along with the regular-guy T-shirt and cargo short.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (5)

Although those pieces came with prints, details and interesting plays on proportion, the collection swerved from Anderson’s usual exaggerated silhouettes, complex narratives and androgynous extremes.

Last month he told WWD he liked the idea of a white T-shirt and a chino short.

“What excites me is that reduction. You can have embellishment, but I think it’s about pulling back. We’re in a very odd moment in fashion, where it has become sugary and I think sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward,” Anderson said.

Yuki Katsuta, senior vice president of Fast Retailing and head of research and design at Uniqlo, said the new line embodies both labels’ shared vision of elegance, simplicity and individuality — with a strong British accent.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (6)

“We have combined the energy, creativity and traditional touches of J.W. Anderson with our fit, fabrics and functionality, as part of our quest to craft wardrobe essentials that are enduringly appealing,” Katsuta said.

Other pieces include a double-breasted belted trench with a tartan lining, a wool blended quilted jacket, Fair Isle sweaters, striped scarves, ruffle blouses and skirts and color-blocked fisherman knit sweaters. There are also herringbone tweed coats, shirts and knits in extra fine cotton or merino.

Heattech scarves and down jackets with ribbed cuffs and zipper tape are in the mix, too. Prices range from 14.90 pounds for a graphic T-shirt to 139.90 pounds for both the tweed and trenchcoats.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (7)

The collaboration with Anderson, who also sits at the creative helm of Loewe, is the latest in a long line of the retailer’s creative projects with designers and brands. Uniqlo’s best-known collaboration is probably J+, the collection thatJil Sander designed forthe retailer from2009through2011.

More recently, the company launcheda Disney “Beauty and the Beast” collection and has partnered with fashion figures such as Inès de la Fressange and Carine Roitfeld, designer Christophe Lemaireand the PrincesseTam Tam brand. In addition, the artist Kaws hascontributed designs to Uniqlo’s UT T-shirt franchise, whose creative director is Nigo.

The collection puts the spotlight once again on a British designer’s work with a high street giant.Last weekAB said it was linking with London-based fashion brandErdemfor its next designer collaboration. It has tapped director Baz Luhrmann to create the visuals for the campaign. The capsule line will include designerErdem Moralioglu’s first-ever collection for men, and will go on sale on November 2 in selected H&M stores as well as online.

More From WWD.com:

Mirror Image: Jonathan Anderson Looks to His Own Style for Spring

Review: J.W. Anderson Men’s Spring 2018 Show at Pitti Uomo

Gallery: J.W. Anderson Through The Years: A Look Back in Pictures

His Favorite Things: J.W. Anderson Fuses Fashion, Art in Exhibition

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Anderson Takes a Tartan Turn for First Uniqlo Collection (2024)

FAQs

What is the unique selling point of UNIQLO? ›

Uniqlo has a clear vision of its brand.

To provide high-quality, performance-enhanced, basic casual wear at the lowest prices. Its clothing is up-to-date and fashionable, but not trendy. Its fabric innovation and in-house design provide exceptional and unique functional performance.

Who owns JW Anderson? ›

JW Anderson is a UK fashion label, founded by Jonathan Anderson. Anderson originally from Magherafelt in Northern Ireland established JW Anderson in 2008 and subsequently launched his fashion house in London.

What is UNIQLO best known for? ›

Today, Uniqlo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fast Retailing Company Limited and it is known for providing high-quality private-label casual-wear at low prices.

What is UNIQLO's motto? ›

' “'Made for all' [Uniqlo's slogan] is our philosophy.

What makes Uniqlo different or popular for its loyal customers? ›

Uniqlo's products are known for their simplicity, quality, and longevity. The brand focuses on essential items made better with superior fabric and functional designs at reasonable prices. This focus on high-quality, affordable, and inclusive products allows Uniqlo to cater to a broad audience worldwide.

What is Uniqlo's unique pricing strategy? ›

Pricing Strategy

The Uniqlo pricing strategy incorporates mid-range products with prices ranging from 2000 to 8000. The pricing is competitive and the firm distinguishes itself from the competition by using unique simple designs and bright colours.

What is Uniqlo well known globally for? ›

LifeWear. What first began as every day wear, UNIQLO has reinvented in Japan as LifeWear. LifeWear isn't disposable clothing, but perfect components made with quality. We create LifeWear by evolving the ordinary, producing innovations big and small that benefit you ever day.

Does Uniqlo mean unique clothing? ›

Origins in Japan

Initially, the brand was going to be registered as a shortened contraction of "unique clothing". However, in 1988, during administration work in Hong Kong for registering the brand, the "C" in the contracted name was misread as "Q".

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