This week H&M unveiled its fall 2011 designer collaboration with one of the world’s most legendary fashion brands, Versace in New York at a launch event that featured performances by Prince and Nicki Minaj.
Designed by its creative director Donatella Versace, the exclusive collection will recall the vibrant heritage of the brand, complete with leather, prints, color, and exuberance in exclusive materials at fantastic H&M prices.
The collection will include lines for both women and men and select pieces for the home. The US in store release is set for November 19th at select stores. The collection will be available in over 300 stores worldwide. In addition, Donatella Versace has also designed a pre-spring collection for H&M which will be exclusively available in countries with H&M on-line sales from January 19th.
“I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching their wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere,” says Donatella Versace.
“The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we’ve brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace, such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can’t wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own,” Donatella Versace.
“The Versace collection for H&M is a moment in fashion. It is full of strong pieces that stand out, with colors, prints and cuts that are clean and precise. The women’s collection is flattering and full of dresses, while the men’s collection is very sophisticated. When I think about Versace, I think of iconic items. With this collection for H&M we have the essence of Versace.” Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.
The women’s collection revisits some of the houses most famous prints used in pieces such as dresses short pleated skirts, velvet bomber jackets, leggings and jeans. Meanwhile, the importance of leather for Versace is reflected in leather jackets decorated with gold studs and zippers.
The men’s collection is a mix of elegant tailoring and pieces of extravagant pattern. Suit jackets and pants come in either black or pink while the pockets of a black tuxedo jacket are trimmed with metallic tips echoed in metallic wing-tips on shirt collars. Leather is also a strong part of the men’s collection with quilted leather jackets trimmed with gold studs in Versace’s classic Greek pattern.
The home décor pieces take full advantage of the house’s iconography with pillows and a bedspread resplendent in the multicolor floral Japanese fan print, bringing the complete Versace lifestyle to H&M.
OMG! How much do I want that leather dress & bag?! Too much would be the answer. Shame about the price though I guess I’ll have to love it from afar 😦