German designer Jil Sander has accepted
a position with Japanese firm Uniqlo, which will mark the comeback of the designer who left her own label in 2004 over a dispute with the new owners.
The German designer has just signed a "design consulting agreement" to oversee the men's and women's apparel at Japanese retail giant Uniqlo. Sander and executives from Uniqlo's parent company Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., held a press conference here Tuesday to outline the terms of the deal.
"Some of you [have known] me since I have been engaged in fashion but I'm not interested in the past. Let us talk today about the future" the designer, clad in a black knee-length coat, told journalists assembled at the Four Seasons Hotel. "I'm here in Tokyo for something completely different. The challenge for me is to establish a premium quality in a democratically-priced range."
Although Sander will not receive an official title at the company, the designer will take over the creative reins for all the retailer's products excluding accessories and children's wear. The Japanese brand and Sander are also working to develop a special Uniqlo collection, bearing the designer's minimalist look, set to bow for the fall season. Details regarding the collection have not yet been disclosed.
As reported in WWD last week, Sander was spotted at the Première Vision textile trade show in Paris in February, which reignited ongoing speculation she planned to return to the fashion world. Sander famously left her namesake label for the second time in 2004 after clashing with the brand's former owner, Prada Group, and its chief executive officer, Patrizio Bertelli, over creative and control issues.
Uniqlo is actually doing quite well during the recession, which is hitting Japan's retailers hard. Tadashi Yanai, the chairman of the company is Japan's richest man. He is worth $6.1 billion.
German designer Jil Sander has 
