Uniqlo just opened a new store in Paris, France, and clearly knows how to target Parisians—by putting ads on the baguette wrappers at your local boulangerie. [Paris, 10/9/09]

Uniqlo has been trying hard to keep up with the Topshops and H&Ms of the world lately by announcing new initiatives and designer collaborations. Yet, the Japanese retailer seems to be lacking in direction—last week’s debut of its Jil Sander collection didn’t quite live up to fab collab standards. Now Uniqlo has just announced that they’ve teamed up with Walt Disney to release a line of Disney-themed products next month.

Is this move to satisfy Japanese American fandom? Uniqlo trying to be ironic? Or, the more likely scenario…an attempt to produce something cute. Or, as they say in Japan, kawaii. [WWD]

When word got out about Jil Sander‘s collaboration with Uniqlo, we were excited. The designer, who was first known for her chic office wear for women and then for her edgy minimalist creations, ranks high in sophistication. However, the first few images of +J, her line for the Japanese retailer, are disappointing. Meant to be “classic basics,” the pieces come off as bland and boring. There’s little to covet in this collection of button-downs, sweaters, coats, and pants. The only item that retains a touch of Jil Sander’s contemporary aesthetic is a short, brown waistcoat with a Mandarin collar.

Due out in the fall, +J includes over 100 pieces—so let’s hope the rest of the collection has more flavor. More images after the jump. [Grazia]

It’s no secret that the Gap has been struggling in recent years to keep up profits and keep the attention of buyers. The denim giant may be doing worse than we thought because rumors have begun circulating that Uniqlo is considering purchasing the business. While at first this takeover would seem unlikely (Uniqlo’s presence in the United States is nowhere near as strong as the Gap’s), Uniqlo actually comes from a rather strong empire called Fast Retail, founded in 1984 by Tadashi Yanai. Yanai reportedly has been looking for new ways to break into the American fashion market. So what would a Gap under Uniqlo regime look like? We have to admit that we’d be interested to find out. [PSFK]

The Gap has joined forces with the venerable Whitney Museum to design a line of t-shirts celebrating the Whitney Biennial. The t-shirt above is not from that collection—it’s from Uniqlo, a Japanese chain that’s similar to The Gap. See, the Gap t-shirts are retailing for $28, but Uniqlo’s line of T’s with influential artists is only $15.50 and, we think, so much cuter. [Uniqlo.com]