When Clare Waight Keller’s latest Uniqlo: C collection launched last month, her fans were delighted.
Did Meghan inspire her wedding dress designer’s new Uniqlo collection? Clare Waight Keller’s line bares a striking resemblance to pieces worn by the royal
Meghan Markle has praised Uniqlo’s new designer Clare Waight Keller as a ‘beautiful friend’ saying she has ‘many pieces’ from her new collection.
Which is perhaps no surprise to eagle-eyed fashion watchers as many pieces in the line seem to be inspired by the Duchess of Sussex.
Waight Keller, who gained widespread recognition after designing Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding dress during her tenure at Givenchy, was recently appointed as Uniqlo’s creative director.
She now oversees both the Uniqlo: C line, which she was brought on to develop last year, and the brand’s core collections.
The autumn/winter 2024 collection features neutral tones, soft fabrics and layering pieces – elements that seem perfectly suited to Meghan’s style.
Clare Waight Keller, who gained widespread recognition after designing Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding dress during her tenure at Givenchy, was recently appointed as Uniqlo’s creative director
Meghan Markle’s wedding dress was designed by Claire Waight Keller. Above: Meghan kissing Prince Harry outside St George’s Chapel on their wedding day, May 2018
During her time as a working royal, Meghan showed strong loyalty to Waight Keller, frequently wearing her designs for Givenchy.
She chose the brand for a number of significant royal firsts in 2018, including an engagement with Queen Elizabeth, Royal Ascot, a solo event at the Royal Academy of Arts and her royal tour of , New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga with Prince Harry.
It will be interesting to see whether Meghan remains true to Waight Keller following her move, which could mean a shift to a more casual appearance in the future.
The ‘C’ in Uniqlo: C represents both a new chapter for the brand and the first initial of its designer, Clare Waight Keller.
In the latest range, the focus shifts towards a more urban aesthetic, drawing inspiration from London’s iconic Brutalist landmark, the Barbican.
This season also marks the introduction of a menswear capsule alongside the usual womenswear offerings, expanding Uniqlo and Waight Keller’s fluid, wearable and movement-oriented designs to a broader audience.
‘I am thrilled to be launching menswear alongside womenswear for the new collection,’ Waight Keller said in a press release.
‘I have always loved the interplay between the utility of men’s clothing with the feminine elements of womenswear. These collections see the two combine seamlessly in palette, fabrication and style, creating a wardrobe of truly interchangeable pieces.’
In Uniqlo: C’s latest range, the focus shifts towards a more urban aesthetic, drawing inspiration from London’s iconic Brutalist landmark, the Barbican
The collection’s clean lines and slate colour palette bring a more androgynous edge to Waight Keller’s typically feminine fluidity, creating versatile designs that can seamlessly fit into anyone’s wardrobe – including Meghan Markle’s.
The Duchess, who has a penchant for oversized outerwear and neutral hues, would likely be drawn to these pieces, which closely mirror her signature style.
Meghan has showcased countless wool coats by the likes of Max Mara, Anine Bing, Smythe, Mackage and Erdem, costing up to £4,198.
Considering this collection reflects Waight Keller’s high-end aesthetic, Meghan might be drawn to the wool-blend wrap coat that feels far more luxurious than its £109.90 price tag suggests.
Similarly, the £20 Heattech cashmere-blend turtleneck top in olive bears a resemblance to the one that Meghan wore from The Row in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list.
The Duchess, who has a penchant for wool coats, would likely be drawn to these pieces, which closely mirror her signature style
Meghan frequently opts for neutral colour palettes, featuring grey or camel
The £20 Heattech cashmere-blend turtleneck top in olive is reminiscent of the one that Meghan wore by The Row in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list
The new collection features a well-balanced colour palette of grey, khaki, navy and black, with soft pink, white and beige accents, adding a subtle touch of warmth to the neutrals.
Trench coats have been refreshed into timeless styles that will quickly become go-to outerwear.
There are also cropped down vests, perfect for layering over knitwear, sleek single-breasted blazers, versatile work dresses and standout accessories.
Uniqlo is the latest addition to Clare Waight Keller’s impressive resume, which boasts a number of luxury brands, such as Pringle of Scotland, Chloé and, of course, Givenchy.