It’s hard for Uniqlo to top their Jil Sander collaboration (R.I.P.), but this might come close: WWD reports that the brand is partnering with the quintessentially Parisian former model Inès de la Fressange on a capsule collection. De la Fressange is that kind of impossibly chic French woman who simply doesn’t exist in America: She genuinely doesn’t give a rat’s ass about what she’s supposed to look like, but always looks fabulous anyway. She smokes, consumes bread and butter, has short hair, almost never wears heels, and always smiles in pictures, probably because she isn’t dying for a foot rub and a sandwich. We can chalk up most of this to good genes (she’s even said so herself), but perhaps a little bit of her laissez-faire coolness will rub off on us this November, when her Uniqlo line comes out.
De la Fressange has a very distinct personal style; we can probably expect to find lots of cropped slim pants, boyish collared shirts, little jackets, and a sleek black dress or two in this collection. Uniqlo design director Naoki Takizawa provides this information:
We talked regularly with Ines and exchanged views on a number of subjects including fabrics, design, and fitting. Ines’ own lifestyle and approach to fashion closely mirror [Uniqlo’s], and I am very pleased to be launching the new line that we have created together.
Once a muse of Karl Lagerfeld, de la Fressange is currently a creative consultant for French accessories label Roger Vivier, and has previously worked with Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2011, she put out a book called Parisian Chic: A Style Guide, which provides tips on dressing more like her (again, ultimately a rather hopeless endeavor, but inspiring nonetheless).
Other Uniqlo news: They’re also teaming up with Nigo, the founder of street label A Bathing Ape and producer of hip-hop group Teriyaki Boyz, on a special line of T-shirts. Get ready for some long lines come November.