Gu Launches First Fall Collection by Creative Director Francesco Risso

Gu marks a new chapter Monday with the launch of creative director Francesco Risso’s first fall collection.

The Italian-born designer, who was formerly Marni’s creative director, designed fall 2026 with a new approach around six lifestyle concepts. In addition, the collection symbolizes the Japanese apparel retailer and sister brand of Uniqlo‘s “comprehensive renewal of the brand’s product line,” the company said in a statement.

“Gu is a business with tremendous potential and a key driver of the Fast Retailing Group’s next phase of growth. As we welcome Gu’s 20th anniversary, we will take on the challenge of evolving into a global brand together with Francesco Risso, a world-class creative talent. We are confident that the new Gu will be embraced by customers around the world, further expanding the brand’s potential,” Tadashi Yanai, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., said.

Additionally, Gu’s new chapter was said to be inspired by the Japanese word “Jiyū,” meaning freedom. Here, this means easy modern wardrobing that allows customers to embrace creativity and individuality through confident, curious and expressive fashions.

Each lifestyle concept features a complete wardrobe for its own characters, and emphasizes personal styles through mix-and-match fashions. The distinct lifestyle concepts include Gu Minimal, Gu Classic, Gu Playful, Gu Utility, Gu Sport and Gu Cozy.

“What interests me most about clothing is its ability to accompany life. The wardrobe of today needs to feel grounded and accessible, yet also leave space for imagination, individuality, and play. The six lifestyle concepts are an attempt to reflect that reality; everyday dressing can be both practical and expressive, familiar and surprising,” Risso said in a statement.

“I’m excited that the future of Gu will emerge as a conversation between what we create and how people choose to live in it. It goes beyond product; Gu will ultimately be shaped by the experiences, interpretations, and emotions of the people who make the clothes their own,” he continued.

Highlights of Gu Minimal, which feature monochrome, streamlined and simple styles, include the men’s fine-gauge knit V-neck cardigan and women’s faux-leather balloon-hem jacket. Gu Classic, a nostalgic and casual style with ’70s influences, includes a men’s pleated tapered pant and women’s baby jacket while Gu Playful, which embraces colorful layering and patterns, features unisex color canvas sneaker and men’s superwide jeans.

In Gu Utility, which leans into functionality that blends city to the outdoors, key styles include a men’s warm waffle crew neck T-shirt and women’s trending 3D barrel jeans, while Gu Sport, said to be inspired by ’80s to ’90s sportswear, has streetwise heavyweight sweat cocoon hoodies and a warm padded stand jacket. Rounding out the lifestyle concepts is Gu Cozy, centered around loungewear and innerwear in pastel hues and soft textiles, with satin relaxed pants and a warm pointelle crew neck T-shirt.

“Gu is now accelerating its evolution, starting from the products themselves. By combining customer-centered product development with the creativity of Francesco Risso, we have newly realized apparel that balances expressive design with a high level of refinement. I think customers will be pleasantly surprised by the prices of these products,” Tomokazu Kurose, president and chief executive officer of Gu Co. Ltd., said in a statement.

The collection, priced $4.90 to $129.90, starts to roll out Tuesday; the entire fall collection will be available to shop via the brand’s e-commerce and global stores starting July 24.