Clare Waight Keller

Clare Waight Keller has always been a master of adaptation. From Calvin Klein to Chloé, from the knitwear classicism of Pringle of Scotland to the modern elegance of Givenchy, she has consistently proved that versatility is her forte. Most recently, Waight Keller took the reins as creative director of Uniqlo in September 2024, bringing her refined sensibility to the global stage of accessible fashion. Her vision at Uniqlo is expected to be rooted in her knack for blending practicality with a sense of modern luxury – something she honed through her wide-ranging career.

Waight Keller’s trajectory began with an unassuming focus on knitwear, studying at Ravensbourne College of Art and then the Royal College of Art. Her graduate collection caught the eye of Calvin Klein, who brought her onboard right out of school. She made her mark at CK Calvin Klein and eventually became a designer for the women’s mainline collection, gaining valuable experience in an iconic American fashion house before moving on to Ralph Lauren, where she led the design for Men’s Purple Label. In 2000, Tom Ford enlisted her for Gucci, putting her alongside industry peers like Christopher Bailey and Francisco Costa.

Chloé called next. Waight Keller’s time at the French maison, from 2011 to 2017, was notable for its quietly powerful femininity – fluid lines, natural palettes, and a laid-back sophistication that tapped into the spirit of the Chloé woman. Then came Givenchy. When she was named the first female artistic director in the storied brand’s history in 2017, Waight Keller took the legacy of Hubert de Givenchy and made it her own. Under her leadership, Givenchy’s menswear, womenswear, and couture found a new vitality, most famously demonstrated in Meghan Markle’s wedding dress, which exuded modern grace and timeless romance.

Though she stepped down from Givenchy in 2020, Waight Keller’s impact on contemporary fashion is undeniable. Now, at Uniqlo, she’s entering yet another chapter—one that sees her distilling all that experience into pieces that are as effortlessly wearable as they are beautifully crafted. Waight Keller is a creative who thrives in evolution, always surprising, always ahead of the curve.