JW Anderson X Uniqlo Fall 2017. Courtesy of Uniqlo
Jonathan Anderson is probably one of the busiest leading lights in fashion. Not only is he the creative director of two major maisons – Loewe and JW Anderson – producing more than 12 collections a year, he’s also just judged Loewe‘s first craft prize, is renovating a house in rural Norfolk, and curated an exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield in the North of England. While one cannot imagine he has much time left in a working week, he keeps going from strength to strength, while retaining his cool in the process.
Courtesy of JW Anderson
So it comes as no surprise that his next venture is a collaboration with Japanese high street store Uniqlo. After a deal was struck last fall, the designer created a 34-piece collection of quintessential British separates that launches online and in select store in the UK on September 19, followed by a global rollout. “Our dream is about total clothing and creating a new heritage, and that’s why we called him. We wanted this concept with the best designer,” says Yuki Katsuta, global head of research and design at Uniqlo.
While the collection is duly noted by Vogue.me as being one to copy/paste into your wardrobe now, we could not help but note that Anderson chose his favorite muse, Moroccan model Nora Attal, for the campaign.
Nora Attal for JW Anderson Spring 2017. Indigital
The model has been on a steady rise in the fashion world since Anderson featured her – as an unknown – in his Spring 2014 campaign, after she was scouted at school aged 14. The premium booking rocketed the model onto the high fashion scene and she has since walked for Versace, Dior, Mary Katrantzou, and Simone Rocha. Naturally, she is a regular on JW’s runway and a go-to model for Vogue titles the world over.
Attal wears the asymmetric denim midi skirt and tartan lightweight technology puffer coat with an effortless cool that unifies East and West aesthetics seamlessly. From Fair Isle and Aran sweaters to puffer coats with Uniqlo’s high-tech fabric so the cover-up is ultra featherweight, this is stated as being Anderson’s most personal collection yet. In an interview with our colleagues at British Vogue, he stated, “I shop at Uniqlo religiously. It’s what I wear every day. It’s probably been the most exciting and the most personal collaboration I’ve ever done because it’s the first time I’ve been designing for myself, what I would want to wear.”
JW Anderson X Uniqlo Fall 2017. Courtesy of Uniqlo
Naturally the Anchor logo – JW’s signature – and initials top off the buttons and rivets of key items, with dashes of tartan and a selection of outdoorsy waterproofs at affordable prices. This is the perfect collection for the traveling Arabian woman who wants variation in her winter wardrobe. The trend barometer is increasingly moving towards millennial streetwear with a premium spin, and with JW Anderson Uniqlo we have the ultimate high street take on the zeitgeist without the hefty price tag. Win/win.
