When Clare Waight Keller’s latest Uniqlo: C collection was released last month, her fans were delighted.
Did Meghan inspire her wedding dress designer’s new Uniqlo collection? Clare Waight Keller’s line bears a striking resemblance to pieces worn by royalty
Meghan Markle has praised new Uniqlo designer Clare Waight Keller as a “beautiful friend” and said she has “many pieces” from her new collection.
Which may not surprise eagle-eyed fashion observers, as many pieces in the line appear to be inspired by the Duchess of Sussex.
Waight Keller, who gained widespread recognition after designing Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding dress during his tenure at Givenchy, was recently named creative director of Uniqlo.
He now oversees both the Uniqlo:C line, which he developed last year, and the brand’s core collections.
The autumn/winter 2024 collection features neutral tones, soft fabrics and layering pieces, elements that seem to suit Meghan’s style perfectly.
Clare Waight Keller, who gained widespread recognition after designing Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding dress during her tenure at Givenchy, was recently named creative director of Uniqlo.
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 royal, Meghan showed great loyalty to Waight Keller, frequently wearing his designs for Givenchy.
She chose the brand for a series of major 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 Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga with the Prince Harry.
It will be interesting to see if Meghan stays loyal to Waight Keller following her move, which could mean a shift toward a more casual look 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, taking inspiration from London’s iconic Brutalist monument, 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’m thrilled to be launching menswear alongside womenswear for the new collection,” Waight Keller said in a press release.
‘I’ve always loved the interplay between the utility of men’s clothing and the feminine elements of women’s clothing. In these collections, the two are seamlessly combined 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, taking inspiration from London’s iconic Brutalist monument, the Barbican.
The collection’s clean lines and slate color palette bring a more androgynous touch to Waight Keller’s typically feminine fluidity, creating versatile designs that can fit perfectly into anyone’s wardrobe, including Meghan Markle’s.
The Duchess, who has a penchant for oversized outerwear and neutral tones, would likely be drawn to these pieces, which closely reflect her signature style.
Meghan has showcased countless wool coats from the likes of Max Mara, Anine Bing, Smythe, Mackage and Erdem, which cost up to £4,198.
Considering this collection reflects Waight Keller’s high-end aesthetic, Meghan might be drawn to the wool-blend double-breasted coat which feels much more luxurious than its £109.90 price tag suggests.
Similarly, the £20 Heattech cashmere-blend turtleneck in olive resembles the one Meghan wore on TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people on The Row.
The Duchess, who has a penchant for wool coats, would probably be drawn to these pieces, which closely reflect her signature style.
Meghan often opts for neutral color palettes, such as gray or camel.
The £20 Heattech cashmere-blend turtleneck in olive is reminiscent of the one Meghan wore on TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people on The Row.
The new collection features a well-balanced color palette of grey, khaki, navy and black, with soft accents of pink, white and beige, adding a subtle touch of warmth to the neutrals.
Trench coats have been given a makeover and become timeless styles that will quickly become must-have outerwear pieces.
There are also short vests, perfect to combine with knitwear, elegant single-breasted blazers, Versatile work dresses and standout accessories.
Uniqlo is the latest addition to Clare Waight Keller’s impressive resume, which boasts several luxury brands including Pringle of Scotland, Chloé and, of course, Givenchy.