JW Anderson X Uniqlo

 

I love a good designer collaboration especially between a high-end and a high-quality-low-cost brand such as JW Anderson x Uniqlo. This month JW Anderson partnered with Japanese life wear brand Uniqlo to create a line of clothing that was affordable, and most important, wearable.

According to JW Anderson the point of the collab was democracy in fashion; that any age demographic could find something in the collection to relate to. Yet still retain some of the brand’s quirkiness. Works for me!

Heads up though, if you’re looking for an affordable version of JW Anderson’s infamous pierce bags, you won’t find it in this collab. JW Anderson x Uniqlo DOES include a spot-on version of his signature asymmetrical ruffle skirt for less than $50 US. (I purchased the midi-skirt in black).

Instead, look for classic British colors & patterns, as well as candy colored striped sweaters and scarfs. Fair Aisle and cable knit sweaters, trench coats, and duffle coats. And of course a rendition of Uniqlo’s signature down jacket with a JW Anderson touch!

In addition to the skirt I settled on this British Herringbone Tweed Coat, a classic take on key piece #1 The Trench. Anything in Herringbone, Prince of Wales check, Houndstooth, is perfect for Fall/Winter. But it was the sash bows at the cuffs that sold me on this piece. The bows give the coat a feminine touch while playing up the quirkiness for which the brand is known.

 

The last time I checked the Uniqlo site, many of the items are still up for grabs but in low stock. The verdict is still out on whether this collab was “a success” . Since the days of Missoni for Target (aka Missonigeddon) there have been numerous collabs of varying degrees of quality and success with consumers. As the market became saturated with one collab after another, shoppers (myself included) were discouraged by the hype, long lines, website crashes and all-out brawls.

To Uniqlo’s credit they have had much success with other low-key-marketed collabs, such as with Pharrell Williams and Ines de La Fressange.

 

Personally I’d like to keep it low key and not for the reasons that you are probably thinking (more clothes for me!). Actually, when collabs go viral there’s a tendency for FOMO to kick in. People over-consume and then end up with buyers remorse. So my advice to you is not to rush out and grab and go. Rather take time to decide which key pieces will have the staying power that you want in your curated wardrobe.

Let me know in the comments what you think of this collab or your thoughts in general on designer collaborations!

Xoxo, TenKeyPieces