Few things excite the fashion industry more than a highly covetable collaboration — and one brand that understands this better than most is high-street favourite H&M. From its recent partnership with Magda Butrym to previous collections featuring Balmain, Mugler, and Simone Rocha, among others, the brand has built a strong reputation for its highly successful collaborations.
Much to our delight, its latest and most disruptive collection to date is now available. Partnering with Belgian designer Glenn Martens, who is better known for his 11-year tenure at the now-discontinued Y/Project. And most recently, taking the role of Creative Director at Maison Margiela.
H&M x Glenn Martens seamlessly fuses the designer’s conceptual approach to dressing with the retailer’s focus on designer details at accessible prices.
Pushing the boundaries of traditional high-street design, the collection showcases a variety of womenswear, menswear, unisex pieces, and accessories, taking some of H&M's best-selling wardrobe staples and reimagining them into exaggerated forms. Think voluminous thigh-high suede boots, deconstructed denim, and, most notably, pieces reworked into Marten's infamous "pinch" effect, made from foil and wiring to allow the wearer to customise them to their taste.
Below, I put the collection to the test with six stand-out looks from the much-anticipated drop. Here's what I'm adding to cart.
H&M x Glenn Martens try-on:
Overshirt + maxi skirt
This unisex plaid overshirt is one of the collection's key stand-out pieces IMO. It's made of foil and contains wiring throughout, enabling you to style the shirt as you wish. When it comes to overshirts, I always prefer a cropped silhouette paired with oversized bottoms for a flattering look. Therefore, this technology felt very revolutionary as I was able to crinkle it to achieve my preferred style.
I then styled it with the collection's unisex white logo shirt, an asymmetric-cut denim skirt, and ankle boots, hinting at Y/Porject's ubiquitous footwear, which often featured layered fabric folds.
Two-toned jeans + crinckle blazer
Similar to the plaid overshirt, this crinkle blazer features the same technology for a personalised look. Opting for an everyday approach, I styled it with its two-tone straight-leg jeans, an elevated tank top featuring invisible straps, and a short ankle-length version of the collection's viral thigh-high boots.
Party-season dress
Although I have party season in mind, this timeless dress is suitable for any occasion. With the collection's invisible strap motifs and lace details, this piece can be dressed up with heels, tights, and a coat in the colder months, or simply styled with sandals for a daytime summer look.
The co-ord
Versatile enough to wear together or separately, co-ords are timeless staples that will see you through any season. For those looking for a witty yet chic option, this long-sleeve coop-neck top and satin skirt are ideal.
The statement coat + boots
Standing at 5'4, I can confirm that wearing these thigh-high boots was no easy feat. However, to make them more petite-friendly, these viral boots also offer a customisable element, folding over for a more wearable approach. For this look, I styled them with what can only be described as the only wool double-breasted coat you'll ever need.
The hero denim dress
It wouldn't be Glenn Martens without key denim pieces, and this dress proves it. Featuring the same slits across the bodice as the previously styled skirt, this light-wash dress is stylish, comfortable, and endlessly wearable.
