Sonia Rykiel for H&M

H&M Divided Exclusive Collection
[Images via H&M Magazine Autumn 2009]

I have to give H&M props for their stellar stock this season (Autumn/Winter '09). It's a massive wash of black and sequin with splashes of deep berry, emerald green and burnt gold, ravaged denim and exaggerated shoulders. I want so many things I'm finding myself eBaying for items just to be sure I can afford it all.

More H&M Divided Exclusive collection
[Images obviously via Nitrolicious.com]

To ice the cake just a little bit thicker, December 5th brings an exclusive collection of knitwear, accessories and lingerie from French fashion legend Sonia Rykiel. There is nothing on the H&M website but a wordy press release and a portrait of Sonia, and google search for leaked images only produced this:

If the Sesame Street inspired sweater/scarf on the right is in the collection, call me Big Bird cause I'm totally rocking that shit.

Jimmy Choo for H&M Promo Shot

[Photo by Magnus Magnusson. Source: WWD]

Here's a shot of two of the actual Jimmy Choo for H&M shoe designs, to be released November 14, 2009.

Jimmy Choo for H&M this Holiday Season

[Images via JimmyChoo.com]

Never thought you'd own a Jimmy Choo accessory? According to Women's Wear Daily, he's teaming up with H&M for a special capsule collection of shoes and bags for holiday 2009. ZOMG.

It Takes Way Cuter T-Shirts to Fight AIDS

[Images via HM.com]

I stopped into H&M this weekend and saw their latest Fashion Against AIDS t-shirt collection. Like their last FAA collection, these shirts were all designed by musicians and celebrities who can't design for shit. It's really unfortunate, but it's true.

From Katy Perry's disgusting airbrushed bodysuit portrayal of the human digestive system to Dita von Teese's uber-creative "look, it's my eye. I drew my eye." shirt, it's just a sad scene.

Matthew Willamson for H&M: "Meh"

Nothing to get your overpriced panties in a bunch over, is it? These been-there, done-that numbers will be available for higher than usual H&M prices starting April 23. I think the only piece I'd probably do (like, when it's on clearance after nobody else in their right mind buys it) is the cropped jumpsuit. I know it's a bit Air Force/Golden Girls, but it looks comfortable and breezy and I can see myself drinking a neon cocktail in it.

Matthew Willamson Does H&M

Brit designer Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M is officially launching April 23, and should reach all stores by mid-May. It is expected to kick summer off with the promise of lots of color (or colour?) for both women and men.

Check out some of his Spring 2009 collection for the fancy people: here.

H and M Spring: Sneak Peek

Looks like tiered dresses, longer skirts, voluminous sleeves, graphic prints and even the jumpsuit are hitting the racks in the upcoming season. Check out the new promo shots for H&M's spring 2009 line:

[Photos courtesy of H&M. Photography by Peter Gehrke]

Comme des Garcons for H&M: Clown Chic?

From the photos I've seen, this capsule collection is chock full of ridiculous pieces (low-crotched capri pants, anyone?) that don't seem worth the jacked prices (the advertisements featuring the beautiful Missy Rayder with hair styled like my 4th grade bus driver don't help.) But even more unfortunate is the fact I haven't had the opportunity to investigate in person. The collection is in 200 stores worldwide, 8 in the US, and 3 of those are in Manhattan. Two more are in L.A., one in San Francisco and one in Chicago.

So Chicago is considered to be more fashionable than Boston? I know it's not THAT hard to top the land of khaki and loafer, but really....Chicago? Sigh. We've got a long way to go, Boston.

Marimekko Does H&M and Avon

Sketches of Marimekko for H&M
(Illustrations: Liselotte Watkins)

Finnish textile design company Marimekko's collaboration with H&M is set to be released next month and will include a handful of bright retro colored print pieces, including halter maxi dresses.
*** Marimekko have also licenced their 60's-mod Unikko print (pictured above) to Avon for the creation of four limited edition color products, including eyeshadow, face powder, lip gloss and mascara, and a few accessories.
Launch of these products is slated for "late 2008."

H&M Swallows Cheap Monday

H&M is growing. They just acquired another Swedish company named Scandinavian AB, which they'll run as a stand-alone.
You've never heard of them, but you probably know their trendy denim brand Cheap Monday, purveyors of some of the best cut skinny jeans on the market. They also own Swedish store chains Weekday and Monki (ADORABLE homepage with fat birds- check it) and brands MTWTFSS Weekday and Sunday Sun.
Cheap Monday jeans are still mostly under $100 but no, aren't exactly cheap-- hopefully this means we can get them at ghetto prices soon? Regardless- more European influence from a retailer serving America is always a bonus. If you need an explanation as to why, get off my blog.

Bad Clothes for a Good Cause

The Good Charlotte Shit Factory: Now Making Clothes (Photo: H&M)

This spring (February in Europe, no word on when it hits the US) H&M will be raising AIDS awareness with an assortment of stuff designed by celebs (mostly pop musicians.) The entire collection, which will also be made of organic cotton, will bear tags that read: "This might be the most important piece of clothing you've ever had your hands on." A quarter of the profits will be donated to YouthAIDS.
A few of the designers: My Chemical Romance, The Scissor Sisters, Rihanna, Rufus Wainwright, Jade Jagger, Timbaland and Good Charlotte.
I know it's for charity and all, but when is it ever a good idea to give famous people a box of crayons and let them "design" things? Good Charlotte's work is, as expected, a total Hot Topic embarrassment. (I'm sure My Chemical Romance will only lower the bar in that same category.) And Timbaland apparently couldn't come up with anything more interesting than a picture of his own head. (See em on Fashionista.com, where I first read it.)
But Jade Jagger, who I'm tempted to slam just cause she's celebuspawn, has some genuine talent. She's always been a great jewelry designer, and it looks like her creations will be the most acceptable. Though I'm definitely still looking for something in neon mesh with the nipples cut out from the Scissor Sisters.

Mari-blech-oh

(Image: H&M, Illustrator: Moa Lindqvist Bartling)

This is the one preview H&M has released so far for their collaboration with the Finnish textile designers at Marimekko. I'm feeling a little "meh" about the color palette here. It's so 70's patio furniture, and I feel like Urban Outfitters killed that about five years ago.
In theory, this pairing could be amazing. Here's hoping this was just a poor choice for the preview.

Marimekko's Spring Fling with H&M

Next April H&M is releasing a capsule collection using prints from Finnish textile designer Marimekko (see the WWD article). Unexpected! But exciting. It might be their best designer collection yet. Which I suppose wouldn't be hard after Lagerfelds Liza Minelli-inspired horror show, Stella McCartney's "meh" collection, and Cavalli's recent mishmash of shit and glory.

If you're unaware of Marimekko, it's hardly demure:

I hope they go for some of the more avant-garde, illustrative prints (like the freaky panda head.) The loud, mod patterns are great, but how much longer can mod stay in the mainstream? I'm dying for H&M to take a risk the way Target's Go designers have. As I always say: It's better to suggest a high waisted pant with a giant bow to some mid-western college girl named Denise, than to never have tried at all...

And for the crafty, you can purchase Marimekko fabric here at Repro Depot. (It's pricy as hell, so if you're a beginner, maybe you should hold off.)

Cavalli for H&M - Pics of Everything!

It was released in Europe first. Check it out here!
and my two cents...

WOMEN:
- The prints: The leopard is the most hideous version of this print I've seen in a while (and I'm a fan of leopard, in general), except on the tights. The zebra is great.
- Standout pieces: the gold beaded flapper mini dress, the black military jacket.
- The tuxedo look: the blouses are total duds, the mini dress is adorable and mod.
- The hardest pieces to pull off, despite their coolness: the leather fringe bolero jacket, and the huge faux fur coat.
- Unacceptably bad: The high-waisted jeans (and you know I love them in theory), and the cheetah print jeans.
- The narrow cut jeans and black pants: we wont know until they're tried on, but they look amazing on the mannequin.

MEN:
The jackets and narrow cut pants are great, but what's up with the skin-tight slutty soap opera man tops? Those should come with a complementary bucket of cologne and tube of Valtrex.

Are You Ready?

The unveiling of Italian designer Roberto Cavalli's collaboration with H&M is just DAYS away. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 8th! And plan to get there early enough to browse before certain assholes ruin the fun by buying entire racks to sell on eBay at a 200% markup.

If you're unfamiliar with Cavalli, think jungle prints, low necklines, high slits- polished rock and roll decadence. So very Italian.

My hope is that his collection challenges women to take it up a notch, and dare to go to dinner, or a club, swathed in a daring red carpet ensemble. Of course you and I have no gala to attend, no premiere or awards ceremony-- but why deny yourself? In my book, there is no such thing as overdressed.
According to H&M:
"The line will consist of iconic menswear, 20 pieces, and womenswear, 25 pieces, including lingerie plus matching accessories."

As far as the menswear... I would love to think anyone besides gay guys will be snapping this stuff up. American men are among the most wardrobe challenged in the world, narrowly beating tribes where loincloths are still all the rage. That is why I propose November 8th be Adopt-A-Hetero Day for friends and lovers of straight men. Pick up one item from this collection, and bring it home for him to try. Because you know what? You can always return it. And it's worth a shot.