How the Givenchy designer behind Meghan’s wedding dress has created… The coolest Uniqlo collection yet

While we are in these cash-strapped times, nothing pleases the heart — or pocket — more than a designer collaborating with a High Street brand.

When the designer is Clare Waight Keller, and the High Street brand is Uniqlo, it’s a reason to be cheerful. 

She may not be a household name, but Waight Keller’s designs are high profile. It was she who created Meghan Markle‘s wedding dress in 2018, during her three-year tenure as creative director of Givenchy.

A global audience of 1.9 billion watched as she crouched to arrange the bride’s satin train. It was a rare public appearance for the Birmingham-born designer, 53, who prefers to let her designs steal the limelight.

Roll-neck jumpers, £34.90 each, and pleat skirt, £49.90, both uniqlo.com. Trainers, £195, meandem.com

Quilted coat, £109.90, zip-neck jumper, £39.90, pink knit, £29.90, all uniqlo.com. Jeans, £50, weekday.com. Trainers, £65, adidas.com

Check jacket, £79.90, zip-neck jumper, £39.90, print dress, £49.90, cross-body bag, £24.90, all uniqlo.com. Boots, £230, boden.co.uk

Her latest ones, for Uniqlo, are destined to do just that. The 41-piece collection, called Uniqlo: C, is a stylish, affordable distillation of the sort of looks that have made Waight Keller such a sought-after name.

One who has worked for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Chloe and Tom Ford, as well as Pringle, the Scottish knitwear label. It’s this wealth of experience that she has brought to Uniqlo — and it shows. Anyone in need of an autumn wardrobe refresh need look no further.

For those on the hunt for outerwear, there’s a twill trench coat (£109.90), a collarless fleece coat (£59.90) and a quilted blouson jacket (£79.90) in earthy shades.

Knitwear includes an oversized cardigan (£34.90) and a high-neck jumper (£34.90) that look as stylish as they’re cosy. 

Other key styles include a pleated colour-block skirt (£49.90) and wide-leg corduroy trousers (£39.90). 

Beige mac, £109.90, pink and beige knits, £29.90 each, pink cords, £39.90, all uniqlo.com. Trainers, as before

Roll-neck jumpers, £34.90 each, print skirt, £49.90, both uniqlo.com. Baseball cap, £55, meandem.com. Boots, £109, whistles.com

Corduroy jacket, £79.90, and trousers, £39.90, both uniqlo.com. Trainers, as before

Colours veer between subtle navy, peach and beige to brighter — but tasteful — shades of lemon and cobalt, all designed to complement each other.

While designer/High Street collaborations are commonplace these days, Uniqlo’s go the distance. And Waight Keller has focused on the sort of wardrobe staples that you’ll love, not just this autumn, but for many more to come.