Clare Waight Keller

Clare Waight Keller is a British designer whose career spans Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, Givenchy and Uniqlo. After working across American sportswear, Italian luxury and British knitwear, she became Chloé creative director on 1 June 2011 and led ready-to-wear and accessories until 31 March 2017.

At Chloé, Waight Keller refined fluid womenswear through light tailoring, boyish proportion and an extensive accessories system. The Drew and Faye bags were introduced under her direction, followed by Nile and Pixie; Autumn/Winter 2017 was her final collection. Givenchy appointed her artistic director in 2017 with responsibility across women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories and haute couture, and she later developed the continuing Uniqlo:C wardrobe project.

Waight Keller works through proportion, fabric and the calibration of softness against structure. Tailored coats and jackets establish a frame, while dresses, knitwear and lighter layers introduce drape and movement; detail remains restrained but construction is never absent.

At Chloé, this method supported romantic womenswear and commercially durable leather goods. At Givenchy it expanded into sharper tailoring, menswear and couture, while Uniqlo:C applies the same discipline to repeatable pieces designed for layering and daily use.