A jungle inspired collection with bright vivid colours and elaborate animal prints molded into motifs and ruffles is something most people would find peculiar to wear in November. However, this wasn’t the case for the French Fashion house Kenzo, who debuted their wild but wonderful collection in H&M earlier this month.
Finding the right designer to fill the shoes of the successful collaboration between H&M and Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing in 2015 was a challenge for Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s creative advisor. The Balmain collection was ‘glamourous,’ ‘glittery’ and ‘gold.’ The dark neutral tones and classic cuts showcased complimented the approaching winter months.
This wasn’t the approach H&M’s recent designer collaboration took, leaving fashion enthusiast curious. Instead, the collection we
nt from dark and dull to bright and loud with Kenzo designers, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, at the forefront of the noisy neon parade. Ann-Sofie Johansson chose the dynamic duo to offer customers different aesthetics and textures to their wardrobes.
Queuing from dusk to dawn in freezing temperatures, customers waited patiently outside H&M’S flagship store on College Green, November 3rd, to get a glimpse of the Kenzo collection. After the long anticipated wait the doors opened at 9am greeting customers with Japanese and Russian inspired garments. Customers were separated into groups, as only ten people at a time were allowed to view the collection. Each group was given ten minutes to shop through the clothes on display and were limited to buying one type of each item. Regardless of the restrictions in place or the unusual winter designs using animal prints & eye catching colours, the collection sold out quickly.
Typically, anything designer is attached to an enormous price tag. The price range of the Kenzo collection although far from the normal designer price bracket could still be considered expensive, with items ranging from €200 upwards.
Amy Lawlor
Image Credit: h&m.com
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