This is the most concise Uniqlo U collection to date. Why is that?
A more concise collection pushes us to rethink function in our daily lives and new habits to redefine our needs. It’s an exciting exercise. We think a lot about the concept of a refined wardrobe. We aim to make and distribute only what’s necessary by having fewer pieces. Each piece should have a precise function, being used independently but working together by layering to create new functions.
Why was a unisex offering so important to you this season?
It came from observing people around us. It feels like a natural evolution of how we and the people around us dress. We see the garment as an open invitation. It’s more about personality and how an individual interprets and integrates the garment into their wardrobe than gender. The codes of how we are supposed to dress are not as rigid as they once were. Now we can see people becoming very free and creative with their garments. It is a natural step in how we conceive the collection.
The idea of a new take on minimalism is a concept you are constantly refining. How did that take shape this season?
We try to be straightforward, emphasizing how the piece is cut and how the fabric behaves. Simple, high-quality with a practical sense of beauty and refined colors. Going straight to the function influences the cuts and details, and it allows the garment to be versatile, taking on a different role in different looks for different settings or occasions. The more versatile it is, the more timeless it will be. Also, we try to create garments that hopefully all people of different ages, social backgrounds, countries, and regions can understand and adapt to make their own.
Which piece defines the spirit of this collection?
The pocketable long coat because it’s so functional, practical, and versatile. It can be used in so many ways, regardless of age or gender.
How did you and the Paris R&D Center design team develop this season’s color palette together?
The Uniqlo U DNA is colors that are exciting neutrals, rich and refined. It always starts with an instinctive desire for certain tones and colors, fed by artists or photography exhibitions, movies, art books, and people in the streets. Then it’s about finding the right shade, the right combinations of colors, to achieve a palette that feels easy and desirable but also new and exciting.
Many of the pieces in this collection use a cut and sewn technique. Can you explain this concept and why you favor it?
Naturally, there has been an evolutionary shift in the way we dress. The T-shirt is one of the versatile pieces one could own. It’s a wardrobe essential for every one of us. At Uniqlo U, the cut and sew technique allows us to be bolder and more playful with colors. As designers, we can step outside our comfort zone and try new things.