thank u
text-design by sergey telidchenkovlad milovskiidesign:
for non commercial purpose
2023
(VI)
course:
U
U
LONGREAD
read aboutFuture
LifeWear
Essentials
The world-class designers and patternmakers
in the Paris design team reimagine everyday clothing using innovative materials and new, contemporary silhouettes.
Uniqlo's U Spring Summer 2020
uniqlo u seamless sleeveless
t-shirt
Uniqlo u hooded long coat
Uniqlo u High-Rise Jeans
Uniqlo U is a collection
of future LifeWear essentials
Each season is designed with the highest precision in pursuit of a simplified, modern wardrobe. UNIQLO research and development centres are places for experimentation, trying new ideas, and innovation. The Paris R&D centre is just one of many: we have similar sites in Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, and Los Angeles.
Uniqlo U is a collection of From our Research and Development Centre in Paris, artistic director Christophe Lemaire brings his talent and luxury brand expertise to Uniqlo U collection.future LifeWear essentials.
For experimentation, trying new ideas,and innovation.
Christophe Lemaire
has been designing his namesake collection since
and Artistic Director of women’s ready-to-wear at
Born
nationality
He has also served as Artistic Director of
1965
FRANCE
hermes
lacoste
1991
Christophe Lemaire was appointed Artistic Director of the UNIQLO Paris RD Center in 2016, where he and his handpicked team
of designers create the Uniqlo U collection.
The brand, which focuses on elevated pieces for everyday life, completed two very successful capsule collections with Uniqlo (both of which were called Uniqlo x Lemaire). When the time came for a third collection, however, Lemaire wanted to take his role at Uniqlo one step further, even if it meant personally devoting less time to his growing independent brand.
He adds just a splash of sartorial romance instead of a bucket’s worth. In doing so, the designer and his eponymous Parisian label have developed a feverish following commonly reserved for more theatrical, provoking designers. How excited can someone get over roomy pleated trousers or a boxy workwear jacket? In the case of Lemaire, the answer is very.
q-.01
I’m interested in the very real dimensions. I’m interested in the poetry of reality.
I’m not a designer who is very interested in baroque or in fantasy or in the fantastic side of fashion. This exists and this is important, but
Christophe Lemaire might be menswear’s foremost realist. If the lion’s share of luxury fashion opts for fantasy, Lemaire proudly makes clothes that stay tethered to reality.
I try to bring as much taste, smartness, quality, functionality, and aesthetic qualities to everyday clothes. I think we all have those particular pieces of clothes that we really like, because it ages well, because it fits you well, because you feel comfortable, and you feel confident in those clothes. All those aspects of good design are what I’m interested in. I’m trying just to do good clothes, clothes that you need as much as you want.
“
If I really think about what drove me from the beginning to become a designer, it is really the idea of trying to make everyday life a little bit better—to make it more functional, more desirable, to improve quality of life somehow. Through designing clothes, I try to bring solutions to people, and I’m interested in the everyday relationship we have to clothes.
What is it about Uniqlo that made you dream of working there?
q-.02
My personal favorite is a simple crewneck sweatshirt for men that I wear every day, just because of the quality of it. It’s a French terry. It’s quite heavy and round.
My personal favorite is a simple crewneck sweatshirt for men that I wear every day, just because of the quality of it. It’s a French terry. It’s quite heavy and round. We were actually surprised to be able to do that for Uniqlo, because even in the good sportswear, streetwear brands, you can’t find that quality.
It’s about trying to propose, every season, the perfect wardrobe of elevated basics.
”
For me, Uniqlo is an amazing environment. They have an amazing production system, and they have this capacity of bringing the best quality at the best price. There is something very democratic about it.
What was the inspiration for the Uniqlo U collection?
When we met with my team to start the very first collection, I told them, «Let’s forget about themes and mood boards. Let’s start from a different point of view. You have to leave for two months all of a sudden. What would you put in your suitcase? What are the twenty essential pieces that you will need and how would you design it to be cool, and you’ll want to wear it?» That’s just a different approach.
Not only is “U” the first letter of “Uniqlo” but the letter’s phonetic association with the word “you” compellingly echoes the brand’s philosophy: “U represents the very essence of Uniqlo.
“Uniqlo explains the presence of the twelve U’s in the line’s logo as follows: “Twelve is a ubiquitous number of everyday life: twelve months, twelve hours, and twelve years in the Chinese zodiac. Each of the twelve constituent statements with starts with ‘U have’ to emphasize that the collection is the fruit of the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center’s teamwork and cohesion. ”
After six seasons, the logo eventually evolved to include a single central «U».
Y
O
U
photo: maris mezulis
design: ciguë
©
151 RUE ST HONORÉ, 75001 PARIS 2016 / DELIVERED
TOTAL AREA:
>
MATERIALS
polished concrete,
solid oak,
glass,
ribbed glass,
felt,
white epoxy coated steel,
Corian,
waxed natural brass
608 m2
Ciguë and uniqlo’s artistic director Christophe Lemaire overhauled the 608 sqm space to deliver the atelier for Uniqlo U. This research and development center explores Uniqlo’s LifeWear collection which focuses on experimenting with advanced materials and techniques.
With this, the Paris atelier has recently been opened, the space based on a single level and organized across a L-shaped floor plan. The offices, clothing studio, working and fitting area all flow one after the other and is designed with the same approach- giving a consistent character throughout.
L-shaped floor plan
FW2020
The Uniqlo U Fall/Winter 2020 collection
droped on September 17, 2020
FW2021
The Uniqlo U Fall/Winter 2021 collection
droped on September 17, 2021
SS2022
The Uniqlo U Spring/Summer 2022 collection
droped on January 28, 2022
“A Sense of Ease.”
For Spring/Summer 2023, Uniqlo U, designed by Christophe Lemaire, continues to offer timeless essentials built on the idea of capsule wardrobes. The simple and clean attire keeps premium materials at the forefront in its latest range, dubbed “A Sense of Ease.”
droped on February 11, 2023
ss
23
“Layering is key in our silhouette, and activewear fits completely in that concept. It's a base that can be worn on its own to exercise and as the first layer for a modern and chic look, from yoga to the art gallery.”
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