Renowned German fashion designer Jil Sander is reviving her celebrated partnership with Uniqlo, +J.
Sander is best known for her eponymous fashion label, which was formerly owned by Prada. Sander’s work tends to err on the side of minimalism or relative purity, and the designer is very focused on attention to material and a commitment to flatter the wearer’s body. Speaking to Uniqlo’s LifeWear magazine, Sander described her design process:
“I don’t draw, I design on the body and do many fittings. Thus, I am always conscious of all angles and the three-dimensional form. The fitting process leads to new forms and proportions. …I also keep the customers and their diverse needs in mind. Figures, heights and complexions vary, so I try to interpret the collection with a regard to different combinations and a maximum of variability in mind.”
The original +J collection included tailored blazers, uniquely constructed button-down shirts, versatile and eye-catching jackets, and much more. Although +J is often described as a love letter to wardrobe basics, nearly all the pieces incorporated significant attention to detail alongside some sort of eye-catching patterning, drapery, or construction. While consumers will always need basics for their lives, +J seems uniquely suited to a reintroduction this year.
On the role of clothing in building a better future, Sander stated that “They should be long-lasting and endearing. They should serve the wearer and give her or him the energy and self-assurance which is so much needed in our global reality.” +J originally debuted in 2009, and it was widely lauded for bringing high-end design to consumers during a time of global economic downturn; Thus, it seems fitting (and inspiring) that a collection of affordable, luxurious, and durable basics is set to make a comeback in yet another worldwide recession. While much time has been devoted to conceptualizing what streetwear and fashion will look like in the wake of COVID-19, Sander’s work is a natural and impressive candidate to fill part of that landscape.
The Jil Sander x Uniqlo +J FW20 Collection is set to release this October via uniqlo.com and Uniqlo locations worldwide.. While we currently have no pictures of the upcoming collection, it’s expected that more info will come in the following weeks. You can check out some original +J pieces (from 2009 to 2011) down below. As always, be sure to stay tuned for updates.
