Jil Sander — the woman, not the label — has signed on to be the creative director of Uniqlo. This might explain why she was spotted at fabric fairs in Paris. The deal marks a return to fashion for Sander, who left her eponymous label in 2004. She'll be overseeing men's and women's clothes for the retailer. Uniqlo will also create a special collection with Sander's very minimal aesthetic.

Uniqlo is no stranger to high-fashion pairings, collaborating in the past with Phillip Lim and Alexander Wang. And Sander's minimalism will fit well with the brand. But her color palette is distinctly more ... black. As British Vogue notes, "Come autumn, though, the big question will be whether Uniqlo's famous paint box palette will be muted in line with the Sander ethos." The collection will debut in the fall of 2009 to much bated breath.

Colourful Return [Vogue UK]
Jil Sander Takes On Design Role at Uniqlo [WWD]