Speakers

Clare Waight Keller studied fashion at Ravensbourne College of Art before earning a Master’s in 
Fashion Knitwear from the Royal College of Art in London. Her graduate collection led Calvin 
Klein to recruit her in New York, where she spent four years before joining Ralph Lauren as Head 
Designer of the Men’s Purple Label, helping launch the line in 1998. 

In 2000, she returned to London as Senior Designer at Gucci, working with Tom Ford during a 
defining era for the brand. Six years later, she became Creative Director of Pringle of Scotland, 
where she revitalised the heritage knitwear house with a modern identity. 

Appointed Creative Director of Chloé in 2011, Waight Keller reinvigorated the Parisian label with 
her romantic and effortless aesthetic. In 2017, she made history as the first female Artistic 
Director of Givenchy, where she relaunched Haute Couture shows and elevated the maison’s 
global stature in both couture and ready-to-wear. 

After leaving Givenchy, Waight Keller partnered with Uniqlo. In 2023, she launched the 
acclaimed Uniqlo : C collection, and in 2024 was named Uniqlo’s inaugural Global Creative 
Director for Women’s and Menswear, overseeing a $23 billion business. 

Renowned for her work with celebrities, she designed Meghan Markle’s Royal Wedding dress in 
2018 and has dressed stars such as Cate Blanchett, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Harry 
Styles. 

Her accolades include Womenswear Designer of the Year at the 2018 British Fashion Awards 
and recognition as one of the world’s most influential designers in Time magazine’s 2019 Time 
100.

Clare serves as a Board Member of the Textile Resource Centre in Leiden, the Netherlands, 
supporting the preservation and study of historic textiles for educational and cultural 
advancement. 

In 2026, she was appointed an Ambassador for Smart Works, championing the 
charity’s mission to empower women in the workplace. The same year, documentary filmmaker 
Frazer Worboys released “Foundations”, the first in a documentary series exploring Waight 
Keller’s personal journey and creative perspective within the fashion industry.
Clare was appointed to the Board of the British Fashion Council in February 2026, joining the 
organisation’s leadership at a pivotal moment for the UK fashion industry. Bringing decades of 
global creative experience, she contributes to the Council’s mission to support British 
designers, strengthen the creative economy, and champion the next generation of fashion 
talent.