Last Updated: 2018.07.24
Fast Retailing Announces New Phase of Partnership with LEMAIRE
FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.
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Fast Retailing today announces that it has taken a minority interest in LEMAIRE, the brand established in France by Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran for the design and creation of contemporary men's and women's ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.
Additionally, Fast Retailing has deepened its partnership with Christophe Lemaire as Artistic Director of the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center, which has been renewed for an additional five years.
"Our appointment of Mr. Christophe Lemaire two years ago was timed to coincide with the opening of our new R&D Center in Paris and the launch of Uniqlo U. This followed a successful initial collaboration, when I was impressed with the outstanding talent of Mr. Lemaire and his experience as a designer," said Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President & CEO of Fast Retailing. "I am pleased to deepen our partnership with Mr. Lemaire even more, and I hope that our new level of involvement will help to facilitate further growth and development of the brand LEMAIRE."
Christophe Lemaire said, "Working with UNIQLO has proven extremely stimulating. I have deep respect for Mr. Yanai's LifeWear philosophy, and we share a common vision of what clothes should be: democratic, functional and qualitative for people in everyday life. I am proud of what my team and I have achieved at the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center these two years, and I am excited to pursue the development of the Uniqlo U line."
Sarah-Linh Tran said, "This partnership is a coherent and natural evolution of Fast Retailing's relationship with the brand LEMAIRE. We fully agreed with Fast Retailing that we will pursue organic growth, and we are very much looking forward to develop the brand with their support and confidence."
About the UNIQLO Paris R&D Center
The Paris R&D Center complements UNIQLO's other research and development offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, New York and Los Angeles. While functioning as product design centers that work collaboratively across the world, these offices also gather information on local fashion trends, lifestyles and new materials.
Chronology of the Partnership
| 2015 | Launch of first UNIQLO AND LEMAIRE collection, Fall/Winter 2015 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Launch of second UNIQLO AND LEMAIRE collection, Spring/Summer 2016 |
| 2016 | Christophe Lemaire is appointed Artistic Director of UNIQLO Paris R&D Center, responsible for the Uniqlo U line of men's and women's apparel |
