Exclusive: JW Anderson On His Inspirations For His Uniqlo Collaboration

Fashion month may be in full swing in the fashion capitals, but locally, we're very much looking forward to the launch of the upcoming Uniqlo x JW Anderson collection, which arrives in the brand's Orchard Central store and online this Friday, 22 September.

Anderson, who is also the creative director for Loewe, is well-known as perhaps one of the most arts-inclined designer in the fashion scene today. He's jump-started Loewe from a sleepy house known more for its bags into a powerhouse that's become one of the must-see highlights of Paris Fashion Week and a favourite with industry insiders, all within three years. Suffice to say, we're all very excited to snag a piece of the collaboration.

You've seen our picks of the collection - now go behind the scenes with the man himself.

• Japanese art and culture seems to be something you're particularly drawn towards - was that

why you agreed to this collaboration with UNIQLO in the first place?

• UNIQLO is something I wear daily, so it was personal to me and I became very excited when they

reached out to us!

• What is it about Japanese art and culture that appeals to you? 

I’m a huge ceramic collector and I’m obsessed with the Ikebana!

Could you describe your design and conceptualisation process, especially in regards to this

collection?

I wanted to re-propose the timeless British Classics. Every single detail mattered, so it was me trying

on a lot of clothing!

How did having UNIQLO as a partner affect your designs, as compared to when you're working

on your own collections?

I put the exact same energy in everything that I do. Because for me, there is not one thing more

important than the other.

How do you ensure that the identities of both UNIQLO and your own brand are equally

represented in this collection?

Working on this collaboration with UNIQLO made me reflect a lot on my own work! I’ve been going

through a phase of trying to work out where fashion really is right now. It’s as if we have loaded it

with so much that we have no idea what the difference is between anything. What I want at the

moment is a dose of reality. 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.

Like this? Check out our fashion editor's picks of the best pieces from the Uniqlo x JW Anderson collection, Uniqlo's ultimate guide to cosy, effortless dressing, and the most stylish people spotted at New York Fashion Week.