Uniqlo’s collections are once again making the headlines with high-profile collaborations. Having already worked in collaboration with designers such as Jil Sander, the giant Japanese clothing retailer has now teamed up with no less than three designers to develop its latest collection. The creative trio will consist of Naoki Takizawa, creative director for Issey Miyake’s men’s line from 1993 to 2006, Kashiwa Sato, one of the most renowned creative directors in Japan who established the ‘Samurai’ design studio, and Thierry Mugler’s creative director Nicola Formichetti, who is also Lady Gaga’s stylist as well the fashion director of Vogue Hommes Japan. Joining the team will also be Japanese company Toray Industries, Uniqlo’s long-term partner which specialises in fibre composite materials.

Piece from Innovation Project

The end result is a collection named Innovation Project, which is characterised by “technical materials and unique designs”, as described by Uniqlo. It offers a functional and modern apparel line with a variety of features such as water resistance, weatherproof, Dry property (quick-drying fabric), heat retention, etc. But this is not the first time that the Japanese retailer uses technical materials, as it already offers a "Heattech" line which uses heat-retaining technology.

Together with Uniqlo’s other popular basic lines, the goal of the new project is clearly to bring something to the market that will make its products stand out from other large chains such as Gap or H&M. In fact, the president of Fast Retailing (Uniqlo’s parent company) has often mentioned that they aim to make Uniqlo the world’s top apparel retailer in a few years’ time.