Buy: Lulu Guinness x Uniqlo Tees

So Uniqlo has been really on it in terms of collaborations these days, turning around capsule collections at a lightening speed that some are even going under the radar. Although I hadn't heard about the British designer Lulu Guinness collaborating with any brand, lo and behold a mini tee-shirt collection just launched for Uniqlo yesterday! Featuring super cute and feminine graphic tees in black, white and blue for just $19.90 a pop! Some with peter pan collars, others with lip prints and others with the face of a girl or a cat are wearable and endearing. Snag them online or in store while they last.

Suno x Uniqlo Designer Invitation Project

I am a huge fan of Suno New York. Since 2008 the womenswear label, by Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty, has been churning out amazing prints with production from Kenya, India, Peru and its home base of New York for a truly global fashion collection. Now Suno New York is partnering with Uniqlo as part of the Designer Invitation Project initiative.

The collection that will hit stores and online on May 20, 2013 is an East-meets-West design approach taken with mixed print dresses, striped tops and floral patterned jeans dubbed "Japanese Americana".

Designer Collaboration: Michael Bastian x Uniqlo

(image courtesy of WWD)

Designer collaborations are a dime a dozen these days - so by default I've become desensitized to them.  After going batshit crazy in the past and lining up to buying something only to never wear it, I've learned to seriously edit down my choices before I even set foot into a store.  However, every rule has exceptions and this is definitely one of them.  2011 CFDA winner Michael Bastian is doing a collaboration with Uniqlo comprised solely of polo shirts.  Bastian has done amazing things with GANT and is one of my favorite American designers so I'm glad he's pairing up with one of my go-to fast fashion retailers, Uniqlo.

Preppy, clean, wearable (IMO: this is the single most important factor when deciding whether or not to buy a collaboration piece) and incredibly affordable at just $19.90, I'm definitely going to try and pick up a few when the line drops on May 20, 2013.

Here's a closer look at the pieces:

(images courtesy of Uniqlo)

Orla Kiely x Unliqo Launch

I love holidays!  No work, time to catch up with friends and to time to see what's new at Uniqlo (why can't every day be a holiday??!)  A couple of  friends were in town and wanted to check out the Orla Kiely collab so we stopped by the 5th Avenue location earlier today. 

Uniqlo X Orla Kiely: Window Display

A couple of days ago on my walk to K-town, I walked pass the Herald Square Uniqlo store on 34th and spotted the new Orla Kiely display window setup. 

 

+J: Fall/Winter 2011 Launch

A couple days ago I hit up Uniqlo to check out the final +J collection. There was a bit of line up in the store but nothing too crazy. The two new stores opening on 34th and 5th Ave will also carry the lineup so fear not in case you don't get a chance to check it out.

Overall - the collection is heavy on outerwear and there was a noticeable improvement in the construction of the outerwear over the previous fall/winter season - definitely a plus. The shapes of the jacket themselves also ramped up this season which was nice to see. Prices for outerwear range from $169.90 - $229.90.

Jackets seemed to be moving quickly - along with size selection so if you're looking to pick up some items now's the time!

If you're a fan of the puffer, there were a few of the quilted down parkas left and quite a few vests.

The jacket shown above left is one of the items on my shortlist - unfortunately, it's launch date is set for late October so for now I'll just have to wait. I love the simplicity of the jacket paired with the oversized collar and hood.

Plenty of blazers in tweed and wool were available including this flannel shawl collar piece (shown above left) and tweed blazer (shown above left). Prices on blazers run from $169.90-$199.90.

The other items that I thought were great were the pants. Slim fitting wool pants all going for $69.90 which can carry you from the office to happy hour.

+J: Fall 2011 Preview

Like so much in life, all good things eventually come to an end - and the +J collection is no different. The longstanding partnership between Jil Sander and Uniqlo has ceased with the final collection to debut this coming fall (le sigh).

This is one of my favorite collabs for great basics so I'm definitely sad to see it go - will definitely be stocking up once this drops in stores.

As usual, the collection will house menswear and womenswear and so far, the outerwear looks pretty slick from the preview pics.

Images courtesy of Uniqlo