Since launching 10 years ago in 2014, the UNIQLO / INES DE LA FRESSANGE PARIS collection has explored the timeless nature of French chic. The past 10 years of this collaboration with Ines de la Fressange combine to form a single melody, a concerto that makes LifeWear shine. Drawing to a close, the grand finale.
Her concept is French chic, based on authentic quality and individual values, unconstrained by price or brand. It is a mixing of genres in a wide range of items, from luxury to vintage, for universal appeal.
2022 Fall/Winter
INES DE LA FRESSANGE
Ines talks about her thoughts on the 10-year collaboration, her approach to craftsmanship, and her message to fans.
Please tell us three design keywords and a design theme for this season.
Quiet luxury, elegance, casual chic.
2022 Spring/Summer
The color palette is also very calm and chic. What was the inspiration behind your color selection?
I always think UNIQLO is sold worldwide, worn by all kinds of women of all ages and styles, so I was looking for universal colors that would put forward the personalities of everyone and bring however this Parisian touch made of sobriety and refinement.
LAST COLLECTION
What was the most important point for you in this collection?
I made more than 20 collections for UNIQLO, and I often meet women who tell me they kept items from many years ago. I am very flattered, of course, but I think some clothes can be a real solution and help these people. So, I wanted this last collection to be like a resume of what women need in their wardrobe to cope with all kinds of situations. It's a condensate that can be seen as advice that sticks with one of my mottos: Less is more.
2017 Spring/Summer
Looking back over the past 10 years, please tell us about your best memories, episodes, and any products that you have a special attachment to.
I particularly remember a black dress that I wore for the advertising campaign of the first collection, we took the picture next to the Ritz Paris and the feeling was truly haute couture. Also, I remember a collection with many tweed jackets photographed in Montfort-l'Amaury, which is an old French village. We really had the impression of being in last century, it looked rather like pictures in a magazine rather than advertising. Quality is not only in products but also the way you sell them.
2014 Spring/Summer
What kind of communication did you have between you and Naoki in the process of creating the collection? Please tell us about any memorable episodes.
Of course, Naoki and I were very sad, thinking it was the final collection. We made so many clothes that had so much success, and many of them came back in our memories; some looked so elegant, some were successful against all odds, and some items we were so proud of.
Since the first collection, Naoki and I wanted to give the best at affordable prices, and we didn’t want to remake things but rather find the connection like a legacy. The main idea was to prove style and elegance were not linked to wealth. Also, everything should be easy to mix with each other, knowing that we rarely have the space or the desire to have too much and that dressing up should be easy, quick, and playful. Each season, we could find new things but keep this French style that fits in so many countries.
With Naoki, we have always worked with a lot of serious laughs, and above all, trust and complicity. I am very sad this wonderful experience will stop but totally sure I’ve gained a real friend, so this is the best.
2015 Spring/Summer
What is your message to your fans?
“Fans”?!! (laughs) I would rather say “friends.” I know many women have been expecting the collection to arrive for a few years and often would go to the shops or on the website the very first day, so they will be disappointed now, but my advice would be to keep going back to UNIQLO and dare to also look at the men’s collection for themselves because there is often great things for women.
