It's confirmed - Lanvin is collaborating with H and M

After a string of high profile Designer collaborations with H&M ranging from Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Madonna, Roberto Cavalli, Kylie Minogue, Comme des Garçons, Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel to a rapidly sold out collection bearing the label “Jimmy Choo for H&M”, one always is slightly perked when hearing that H&M could get another coup.

H&M did designer collaborations at the very beginning of when they became “the thing to do” to open up new markets and make the shareholders *cough*, I mean consumers, happy. This year, in particular, has seen a boom in collaborations between fashion houses and designers such as between Forever 21 and L.A. designer Brian Lichtenberg, Stella McCartney and Gap, Range Rover and Victoria Beckham (I know, weird, right?) and many more; surely prompting H&M to up their game and partner with the notoriously difficult and exclusive art director Alber Elbaz by convincing him or letting him convince himself that the approach would be “making H&M luxurious” rather than Lanvin accessible.

Despite the plans of imminent collaboration with Shiatzy Chen, which is to be launched in November 2010, H&M saw it fitting to push further with even bigger news. With a mysterious and clever build up of a few sneak peak previews the rumours were boiling in the fashionsphere and the pieces trying to be identified.

Today, the rumours were confirmed by Lanvin’s Art Director Alber Elbaz (who, incidentally, is also the head of menswear Lucas Ossendrijver) in a clip to the world, subtitled despite being spoken in English. To view the clip, have a look at the Lanvin for H&M Designer Collection video on YouTube.

The new line will arrive in stores November 23. Will you be there?

(This article was published on LDNfashion.net)

Lanvin, Zara and H and M, OH MY

The High Street has been a jungle of joyful news today.

There's Lanvin, who I have mixed feelings about. On one hand their creative director is the guy who thinks the ONLY thing women care about all over the world is being thin (The Real Runway). This still bugs me but on the other hand Lanvin is the brand that has brought me these shoes as you may witness on my feet on the right to this text. However much I appreciate his clothes, seeing that smug snob saying "We're not going public. H & M is going luxury." didn't go down too well. Even if it's true, saying it with a smug little smile and a bow tie doesn't make it better.

Is it just me or is that offensive on many levels? These are the things I read into this statement: 1. H & M is not luxury (we know that, but bare with me) 2. Lanvin is not for the public 3. Lanvin is not lowering itself to the public 3. Lanvin doesn't care about making it more affordable 4. Lanvin is gracefully "helping" a brand become less public 5. All other collaborations such as Jimmy Choo were lowering themselves by going public 6. It's not "dress for lees", so does this mean the prices will be high? 6. Being "public" is bad 7. Being "public" is lowering your brand

Seriously. I could go on. But judge for yourself. In the end of the day, I know where I'll be come rain or shine, on the day of the launch. Right there, holding the hand and force feeding the tiger and bear (that is the tiger's sidekick H&M) with his delusional "it's not for the public". I am curious to see what all these implications mean and whether I will actually like their collaboration. I will make sure to let you know.



In other news much more joyful to my love for online shopping habits and Zara, they have finally launched their online shop! Oh hooray and joy! The Lion, the one that is secretely scared of the jungle, has launched a head front attack and will hopefully be as welcomed in our arms as Dorothy's. I know I myself will enjoy my freelance breaks on said page. I remember a while ago trying to go to a Zara online shop and landing on their "Home shop" full of bed sheets and other such tingle and tangle that I wasn't interested in. I do think that even us fashionistas can be "understood" based on which their favourite high street store is. My style, if generalizing, can be classified, I think at least currently, as "Edgy Chic", for which Zara is perfect for to get the basics, at least. To cut a long story short, get you butt over to the new online Zara store!