Uniqlo: C Spring/Summer 2024 is modern with casual sophistication

“For the first time, I found myself working from London, deeply immersed in my homeland. It was a moment for me to delve into my personal wardrobe and truly discern what I wished to convey. Given the limited range of styles they provided me, I carefully considered which key pieces to include. I also drew inspiration from London itself, a vibrant city with its diverse street style and captivating architecture. In particular, Hackney Wick in East London, adjacent to the Olympic Park – it's kind of completely regenerated with young architects doing new buildings and in different styles. For me, that was an interesting starting point for the colour palette,” she said in an interview with L’Officiel.

Waight Keller drew inspiration from the art scene in South London for Uniqlo: C Spring/Summer 2024, her second collection with the Japanese retailer. “Not only are they in quite a cultural part of London, but they have a very interesting neighbourhood between a bit of countryside and city life intertwined together,” she said.

“I really wanted to observe how people live their lives during the spring and summer. It starts off very fresh in the season, so you're often wanting a lightweight jacket or a lightweight outerwear piece that sort of takes you through the morning when it's a bit cooler… As the day (and season) transition, it starts to get warm. So, you want those beautiful summer pieces that take you through the day, and you can layer up as it gets cooler in the evening.”

The collection’s colour scheme is centred around essential tones that are suitable for any occasion. The collection is characterised by an airy and modern colour scheme ranging from natural ecrus to chino beige, khakis, deeper brown tones, and subtle black. Plus, there’s a palette of brights that complement these muted tones, making for a beautiful contrast between the iconic pop colours and the muted neutrals.

Our favourites? The stunning cotton-nylon jacket with a belt that can be tied so elegantly that it looks great with both trousers and dresses, making it an ideal travel companion. Additionally, there is an incredibly versatile army green trench coat, a pair of new, ultra-comfortable drapey denim, and a stunning emerald green dress with adjustable spaghetti straps that allows you to wear it high or low, with or without a T-shirt. As for the guys, white and black trainers, a baseball cap with a long peak and poplin check, chino trousers with wide legs, wash denim jeans with wide legs, and a crop top are all new arrivals.

For her Uniqlo: C, Waight Keller tapped into her instincts to guide her to create effortless garments. “The attitude of the collection is a mix of sophistication and casualness. These are two worlds that I always love to play with,” she says. Spring and summer are a time for many celebrations, from weddings to garden parties. “I think it’s important to remember that we’re always on the move. So, you want that transitional wardrobe you can take from day to night, that from-occasion-to-casual sort of weekend.”