The new 2018 Spring/Summer collection items from "UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON," a collaboration between UNIQLO and JW ANDERSON, will be released on April 20th. Prior to that, a press preview was held on April 10th, with Jonathan Anderson visiting Japan and showcasing all the items.

The preview press conference featured Jonathan Anderson and Yukihiro Katsuta, UNIQLO's Executive Officer and Head of R&D, who oversees collaboration projects with designers. Jonathan Anderson commented on the significance of his collaboration with Uniqlo this season, his second since Fall/Winter 2017-18, saying, "I believe in the democratization of fashion. Clothes shouldn't be overly 'exclusive,' but should be 'inclusive,' so they can become a part of anyone's wardrobe. In that sense, collaborating with Uniqlo, whose products are reasonably priced and can be combined with various brands to create clothing that expresses individuality, is meaningful." He also added, "In recent years, I've been wanting to express 'normality.' While keeping the basics of waking up in the morning and mindlessly selecting a jacket, chinos, and socks from my closet, I add elements like the weather and my holiday plans to free myself up." He expressed his deep appreciation for this season's pieces, which are filled with such personal sentiment, adding, "I think I'll be spending the summer wearing this collection."

Yukihiro Katsuta, Executive Officer, UNIQLO R&D Manager, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., and Jonathan Anderson
This season's theme is "Brighton Beach," a resort town in southern England that epitomizes British summer. Inspired by the free-spirited culture unique to Brighton, which is also known as a hub of subculture, the collection features a lineup of unisex basic items that can be freely mixed and layered to create a variety of styles.

The collection features striped T-shirts, dresses, and socks in vivid colors reminiscent of the seaside, based on a soft, sun-kissed color palette of true blue, poppy red, sage green, white, and beige. In addition, the collection includes colorful knit polos, seersucker bomber jackets, JW Anderson staples like striped and patchwork shirts and skirts, blouses and flared skirts with ruffles and ribbons, and more. The collection also incorporates elements of workwear, such as 1950s-style denim jackets and tunic shirts inspired by traditional British police uniforms, showcasing elements of traditional British culture. T-shirts, knitwear, and bags also feature seagulls, an iconic British motif, creating a lineup that evokes the refreshing sea breeze of Brighton. Designer Jonathan Anderson also mentions the seagull motif as one of his favorite motifs, evoking the seaside. The shirts, crafted from soft, refreshing linen cotton, perfectly complement the lightweight nature of the Spring/Summer 2018 collection, expressing a more relaxed, casual feel. Uniqlo also uses its signature luxurious extra-fine cotton, along with fabric from Karahai, a renowned Japanese denim manufacturer, to create the authentic texture of denim. The collection is also well-thought-out in terms of functionality, featuring features like the quick-drying and moisture-wicking "DRY EX" fabric and a wrinkle-resistant, packable parka with durable water-repellent treatment, making it perfect for both the beach and the city. The collection includes 29 items, including 10 women's styles and 19 men's styles (unisex hats and bags, and some unisex outerwear, T-shirts, polo shirts, and knitwear). Prices range from ¥2,990 to ¥5,990 for outerwear, ¥1,500 to ¥2,990 for T-shirts, polo shirts, and knitwear, ¥2,990 to ¥4,990 for pants and skirts, ¥2,990 to ¥4,990 for dresses, ¥390 for socks, and ¥1,990 to ¥3,990 for hats and bags. Both men's and women's styles, including the unisex collection, will be available for purchase from April 20th at UNIQLO stores in 19 countries and regions worldwide, as well as the UNIQLO online store. The full lineup is available at all 58 stores, including the Uniqlo Ginza store, BICQLO Uniqlo Shinjuku East Exit store, Uniqlo Kichijoji store, Uniqlo MARK IS Minatomirai store, Uniqlo Sapporo Esta store, Uniqlo Sendai Izumi store, Uniqlo Nagoya store, Uniqlo Osaka, Uniqlo Shinsaibashi store, and Uniqlo Canal City Hakata store, as well as the Uniqlo online store.

Last updated: April 11th