THE DESIGNERS
Carol Lim & Humberto Leon
The vibrant and colourful world of KENZO is the focus of this year's designer collaboration.
KENZO is a Paris-based luxury brand that forgoes demure French chic for a kaleidoscopic jungle with a global beat. They don’t shy away from boldness or the liberal use of patterns and textures. KENZO’s creative directors, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, tap into global youth culture, creating clothes that realise a universal, no-rules, pan-everything vision. “Being able to speak to an even wider audience and reach people that may not know what KENZO is, is really exciting,” says Humberto. “Each piece has meaning, relevance and importance. That was our mission from the beginning.” Humberto and Carol have designed a collection that exemplifies the bold world of KENZO. This collaboration was also a chance for them to reflect, remix and expand on their archives, as well as honour Kenzo Takada, the Japanese design visionary who founded the label in 1970. The unique collection is a result of celebrating the past and melding it with the present and future. The shapes and silhouettes are modern and fresh. Many of the garments are reversible, a hallmark of KENZO, and boast high-quality craftsmanship. “We wanted to make collectors’ items,” says Carol. “Pieces that will last.” There's a balance of street-inspired gear and outré items, such as ribbon dresses, kimonos and neon faux fur jackets. The KENZO x H&M collection of menswear, womenswear and accessories will be available worldwide, online and in 250 H&M stores from November 3rd.
FROM THE CAMPAIGN
HOW IT'S BEING WORN
The official stars of the collaboration (from left to right): Suboi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chloe Sevigni, Chance the rapper, Iman, Rosario Dawson and Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
(read more about them in the link below the photo)
Photo H&M
“The list of people in the campaign, it’s incredible - people who stand for more than just what meets the eye. So having these seven people who represent a span of things in their own lives to us feels really deep and meaningful,” says Lim. “That’s what the campaign is about. When you see the collection on a range of our subjects, they look killer. Just wait until you see Iman,” she enthused. “I mean she’s in her sixties and she makes us all look like we should just go home. She is inspiring. The way she carries herself is amazing.”
Photo VOGUE
Julia Kuczynska, Polish fashion blogger of MAFFASHION, was one of the first bloggers to photoshoot the new collaboration and is seen in head to toe KENZO X H&M
Photos GALA
Jessica Alba stepped out as one of the first celebrities to wear the collaboration at Paris fashion week
Photo WHO WHAT WEAR
Find more KENZO X H&M street style looks HERE
FAVOURITE PIECES
When it comes to the designer collaborations with H&M, I tend to gravitate towards individual pieces rather than the full ensembles, as my style is a bit more classic and neutral, rather than outlandish and screaming for attention. The blouse with the butterfly sleeves and mixed print can be easily worn out and to work, with a straight leg trouser, leggings or skirt. The leather KENZO label bag (comes in medium and large sizes) is quite spacious and good quality. The ruffled dress is a bit much for my personal taste, but it reminds me of traditional or cultural clothing and it seems to carry history and stories under all those layers. My absolute favourite is the lovely flower printed crop/off the shoulder top and trouser set, which could also be worn separately, bringing quite a bit of flare to your basics in your wardrobe. What are your thoughts on the collection?
Photos H&M
