CHRISTOPHE LEMAIRE APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF UNIQLO

Japanese retailer Uniqlo has appointed contemporary designer Christophe Lemaire as artistic director of the newly established Uniqlo Paris R&D Center and the new Uniqlo U line.

The first Uniqlo U collection has been created with Lemaire’s dedicated Paris team and will be unveiled in Paris in early July. Uniqlo U features innovations in keeping the “LifeWear” philosophy of providing comfortable clothing that matches all lifestyles. The line will launch worldwide from the fall/winter 2016 season.

“I am delighted to welcome Mr. Christophe Lemaire as a member of the Uniqlo team,” said Tadashi Yanai, Fast Retailing chairman, president and CEO. “I have time and again been astonished by his outstanding talent in working together to create the Uniqlo and Lemaire collection. I look forward to seeing more of the innovations that he inspires, and I am confident that his tremendous experience and talent will thrive at Uniqlo.”

“In working on the Uniqlo and Lemaire collection, I found Uniqlo’s commitment to product development, high quality, and teamwork truly impressive and inspirational,” added Lemaire. “It is a challenge and a joy for me to be part of the team designing Uniqlo LifeWear – everyday clothing that resonates with people worldwide.”

Lemaire previously served as artistic director and in similar roles for such renowned global fashion houses as Lacoste and Hermès. Together with Sarah-Linh Tran, he created the Uniqlo and Lemaire collection, which debuted in October 2015 and was completed with a spring/summer 2016 range that launched in March this year.