Lemaire and Tran depart Uniqlo after decade of creative direction

Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, the creative forces behind Uniqlo U, are ending their ten-year collaboration with the Japanese apparel giant. The duo, who joined Uniqlo in 2016 to lead the newly established Uniqlo U line, have been instrumental in shaping the brand's aesthetic and global appeal.

Their work has been characterized by timeless, practical designs with a modern cut, appealing to a broad international audience. This focus on quality and style, accessible to a wide customer base, has been a significant factor in Uniqlo's commercial success. Fast Retailing, Uniqlo's parent company, reported a 22% increase in sales and a 40% rise in profits in the third quarter, partly attributed to the popularity of the Uniqlo U collections.

In a statement, the designers expressed their satisfaction with the project, calling it an "exciting adventure" and a "great success" in their mission to offer quality, stylish everyday clothing. Their final collection for Uniqlo will be the Fall/Winter 2016 season.

Moving forward, Lemaire and Tran will dedicate their full attention to their own luxury fashion brand, Lemaire. Founded by Christophe Lemaire in 1991, the brand has gained prominence in recent years, particularly within the "quiet luxury" trend. Known for its minimalist, gender-fluid designs, Lemaire has seen its value increase tenfold since 2019, with sales surpassing 100 million euros in 2024, according to Le Monde.

Uniqlo has a history of successful collaborations with prominent designers, including Jonathan Anderson. The departure of Lemaire and Tran marks the end of a highly successful chapter, but the brand continues its strategy of partnering with influential figures in the fashion world.

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Working with Uniqlo and building the team and the concept of Uniqlo U has been an exciting adventure. We consider this project a great success and a dream come true to offer quality, stylish everyday clothing accessible to the widest possible audience.