Uniqlo x Anya Hindmarch uses key motif to create ‘fun’ knit offer

Collaborations continue to be a key feature of the winter season and the latest headline-grabbing link-up is between Fast Retailing’s Uniqlo chain and luxury British label Anya Hindmarch that launches on 23 November.

But despite Hindmarch being best known for its bags, this isn’t a bag capsule. Instead the focus is on knitwear but with a key motif used across the pieces, clearly anchoring the entire offer in the Hindmarch universe.

Uniqlo said the designer brand “is known for championing creativity and craftsmanship, while always adding a touch of fun” and this capsule “reimagines Uniqlo’s knitwear via carefully crafted deconstructed details, playfully overseen by the brand’s iconic eyes”.

So what doe that mean in practice? There are are crew neck lambswool sweaters (£34.90)  in orange, green, navy, and light grey, and the apparent simplicity actually comes with plenty of detail — a contrast-tone single cuff, contrast colour ‘darning’ at the neckline, a sleeve patch, and the cute cartoon eyes that often adorn Anya Hindmarch bags.

The items’ labels feature both brands’ names and there’s also the instantly recognisable embroidered Hindmarch bow.

There’s a Heattech beanie, scarf and gloves in the same colours too, also coming with the eyes and darning details. Plus the line-up does include one bag — a simple packable bag in recycled polyester with a clip-on purse (into which the bag can also be packed). Retailing at £19.90, it comes only in green and black.

Yukihiro Katsuta, Group Senior Executive Officer at Fast Retailing said of it: “I believe the exceptional creativity and modern craftsmanship of Anya Hindmarch, along with its philosophy of valuing customers, fits well with the Uniqlo approach to clothes-making. The infusion of its trademark humour into Uniqlo essential items creates an exciting new collection of LifeWear that we hope will warm the body and mind this holiday season.”