All the latest updates on the upcoming collection
It came, it conquered, it broke the internet.
Yep, the long-awaited collaboration between Kenzo and H&M is finally here. The Swedish mega-brand have come up with a few crowd control measures, following the hysteria caused by previous collabs, and the sleep-deprived crowd were issued with pink wristbands so that they could leave the queue and then return at an allotted time. Many eager shoppers camped overnight, essentially queuing for over eight hours to snap up the print-tastic collection.
The virtual queue was even busier at hm.com, and the site shut down throughout the morning. Though it has come back online now (go, go, go!).
If you can though, head down to your nearest H&M as shoppers have been tweeting to say there is still plenty of stock swinging from the rails and a pretty reasonable queue:
On October 20 we wrote...
The collaboration we’ve been eagerly waiting all summer to get our hands on is inching ever closer. Last night, an A-list crowd, including Lupita Nyong’o, Rosario Dawson, Chloë Sevigny, Sienna Miller and face-of the campaign Iman, assembled in New York to watch the collection come to life.
Mixing high-fashion with high-jinx, the show was creatively directed by Jean-Paul Goude, who as you may remember also shot the lively campaign. Pulsing with beat boxers, drumline dancers and a full string section, the models literally danced out onto the runway wearing the equally energetic collection.
With only two weeks left to go until the collection hits stores, this has certainly whetted our appetites. As the full look book has now been released, scroll through our gallery below to pour over our favourite picks from the collaboration. Rest assured, you'll want it all.
On 22nd September, we wrote...
With exactly six weeks to go until the full Kenzo x H&M collection launches in-store and online (not that we're counting or anything), the brand have seriously whetted our appetites with the big reveal of the official campaign images. Shot by the iconic fashion and music lensman, Jean-Paul Goude, the colourful campaign reveals a brilliant casting of brand ambassadors, including Chance The Rapper, supermodel Iman and rapper Suboi. Scroll on to see the images, shot in Goude's signature hand-made cut-up style.
Kenzo x H&M Chance The Rapper
26/7/16: Kenzo and H&M have released three looks from their upcoming collaboration, whetting our appetite before it hits stores on November 3rd.
Thus far, we can confirm the collection is making a strong case for Kenzo's signature animal prints (as anticipated), with bold tiger printed roll-neck tops and matching high-waisted leggings anchoring the pre-released images.
In lieu of models, the lookbook images have been shot on artists, young creatives and activists. So, meet New Yorkers Amy Sall, a student and human rights activist, and Juliana Huxtable an artist, poet and DJ. Plus, Isamaya Ffrench a London-based make-up artist, who dons an oversized leather jacket with a fuischia faux Shearling lining (destined to become the sell-out piece) and matching tiger print jersey separates for the campaign.
The accessories are just as plucky: there's long black leather gloves, emblazoned with pink 'Kenzo' and 'Paris' logos, and cool rubber print and jacquard knitted tiger-sock boots.
The menswear collection looks just as spirited. Modelled by Parisean musician and performance artist, Oko Ebomo, the men's offering will include parkas with a removable printed collar, block colour tiger-print jeans, jazzy sunglasses and padded flip-flops with tabi socks, as well as printed caps, scarves, and a cross-body bag.
What we already knew about the collaboration, is that Kenzo x H&M will launch on 3rd November 2016, will include womenswear, menswear and accessories and is likely to exceed 150 pieces. Following in the footsteps of last year’s hysteria-inducing Balmain collaboration, Kenzo joins the ranks of some of the industry’s biggest names in bringing their design hits to the high street retailer. Karl Lagerfeld, Isabel Marant, Marni and Alexander Wang have all let us get our hands on their wares by working with H&M in the past, lest we forget.
‘We can't wait to share with everyone the world of KENZO x H&M, with all of its creativity, fun and love of fashion,’ said Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M, as the news was announced this morning.
Kenzo AW16
A storied Parisian fashion house, Kenzo was founded in 1972, by Kenzo Takada, who presented his final show at the label in 199. Antonio Marras served as Artistic director from 2003, before designer duo Humberto Leon and Carol Lim were appointed in 2011 and have been at the helm ever since.
‘We were really excited,’ says Carol Lim of the moment they inked the deal. ‘Obviously, we’re the latest in a line of a lot of incredible people. We were like, ‘We’re in great company.’’
‘We wanted to really tell the story of the brand and of us,’ added Humberto Leon. ‘Together with H&M, we will invite all the customers and fans to the real Kenzo world.’
Kenzo AW16
‘I think a dream customer is a new customer,’ muses Carol Lim. ‘We don’t have one girl in mind. And we never have. The more people that discover the brand and come to love the rich history behind the brand and what we’ve created—to us, that’s exciting.’
Let the countdown to #KenzoxHM begin!
Kenzo x H&M, £39.99
Kenzo x H&M, £59.99
Kenzo x H&M, £149.99
Kenzo x H&M, £29.99
Kenzo x H&M, £79.99
Kenzo x H&M, £39.99
Kenzo x H&M, £149.99
Kenzo x H&M, £39.99
Kenzo x H&M, £299.99
Kenzo x H&M, £49.99
Kenzo x H&M, £59.99
Kenzo x H&M, £39.99
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
Kenzo x H&M lookbook
