Celia Birtwell to collaborate with Uniqlo

The great Celia Birtwell, whose bold prints are synonymous with the 60s and 70s, has released a capsule collection in collaboration with high-street favourite Uniqlo.

Birtwell’s signature colourful prints have been given a new lease of life and re-worked into an exclusive range of 70s style culottes, jeans and shirt dresses alongside Uniqlo’s trademark basic jersey separates.

Taking prints from her archive, including some that have only before appeared on designs for interiors, Birtwell and Uniqlo added a contemporary twist to the iconic patterns. “I flew to Japan and we selected several prints, particularly from my home collection, which I never thought you could use, but I am surprised and delighted with everything,” the designer explained.

Birtwell’s bold prints of organic shapes lend themselves well to the modern structured Japanese designs of Uniqlo. The quirky patterns give interest to the simple shapes of pyjama pants and shorts, whilst the pretty button detail and ditsy prints give femininity to the collection.

This will be the designer’s second collaboration with a high-street giant. In 2006, Birtwell collaborated with Topshop and released an 11-piece collection that sold out in minutes. There’s no doubt that her latest range will be just as popular, as shoppers will be buying Birtwell designs but at Uniqlo prices.

“I am very pleased with it, but you never dare get beyond yourself. I really hope it will be a success…I am feeling very confident and I don’t normally say that, but it looks very good,” she revealed.

It seems nothing can stop the 71-year old’s ambitions and, though she is busy with this current project, Birtwell already has plans for the future. “I have nothing set in stone,” she said, “but I have a few ideas of what I want to do. It keeps me busy and that’s why I like it.”

Hollie Bracciale

The collection launches in Uniqlo stores nationwide on Thursday 21^st March with prices starting from £9.99.