Fast Retailing hires Lars Nilsson as creative director

Fast Retailing Co. Ltd, parent company of Uniqlo, has taken on

designer Lars Nilsson as creative director of its two European brands, Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse Tam Tam. The Swedish designer is known for his men's wear line, Mr. Nils, as well as his previous tenures working at fashion houses such as Nina Ricci, Bill Blass and Christian Dior.

Nancy Pedot, CEO of Comptoir des Cotonniers and Princesse Tam Tam revealed to WWD that the first six months of Nilsson's new position “will be dedicated to accompanying the implementation of a research and development project in terms of creative inspirations, trends, style, silhouettes and fabric”.

A company's spokesperson stressed that Nillson position is “a new job” and that he will not be a replacement for the company's former artistic director, Amélie Gillier, who left her position last November after working for the company less than a year. His new role will be more “global”.