Jil Sander shares her style philosophy

Jil Sanders fifth and final +J collection goes on sale at on Uniqlos website overnight (technically, at 1:00AM on Thursday).

By ELLE UK and NonePublished: 07 September 2011

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What feels like an end to accessible minimalism is also a triumphant collection of greatest-hits pieces.

There are all of the just-so wool skirts, snappy button-downs and cashmere-blend coats weve come to expect, with the added frisson of Arizona Muse modelling the look book.

To mark the release of the collection, the publicity-shy Sander shared her thoughts on style with the Guardian. From this exegesis we learn that Sanders favourite music is by Bach, that if she hadnt become a designer, she might have pursued architecture; and that she her dearest fashion wish is this: If I had the power, I would ban leggings.

Here are a few more excerpts from her considered take on fashion:

Even I, a designer, do not know why a certain proportion feels dated or why another one feels exciting at a given moment. I leave that to the cultural historians and theorists.

Good design in my view takes the best from the past and transforms it into something fresh. The dynamics and proportions of a great piece of contemporary design correspond in a mysterious way with attitudes of the moment, as well as with tendencies in other fields of art and design.

My only period of rebellious dressing was the 70s, when I remember wearing a snakeskin coat by Ossie Clark. Aside from that, my rebellion has consisted of designing the clothes I wanted to wear, which were non-existent on the womenswear market.

I like to think that I have taught Uniqlo how far a "basics" company can go in the direction of quality, style and modernity. For my part, I learned how to design the best possible collection with limited resources.

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