Lanvin for H&M Part Deux

Lanvin for H&M Part Deux

fashion style    8:02 AM   

Unless you've been living under a rock these past few weeks, you are probably aware that H&M's latest designer collaboration is with French fashion house, Lanvin. In my last post, I explained how I was never quite sure of high street/designer collaborations, how I think they take the fantasy and excitement of one day perhaps owning an original designer piece, particularly by a designer such as Alber Elbaz for Lanvin.

However, I have now seen the absolute joy the collection has brought to H&M, Lanvin and fashion fans in anticipation of the collection hitting stores and the enormous, glowing smiles on the excited faces of those who attended the Lanvin for H&M Haute Couture fashion show last night in NYC. This (and a few of the dresses!) have helped me to reach a decision: I am a Lanvin for H&M fan. I said in my last post (read it here) that rather than go crazy trying to get my hands on an expensive high street dress, I would prefer to dream about one day taking home an original Lanvin dress tucked safely in the powder blue bag. 

But.

Just in case my dream doesn't come true...I think I might just have to step into the ring and join in the fight.

Top to bottom: Lanvin for H&M Haute Couture fashion show, Lanvin for H&M Haute Couture fashion show, Bryan Boy backstage in Lanvin for H&M, Anna Dello Russo on the catwalk, Alber Elbaz.

I love that Anna Dello Russo is taking part in the show - she is such a believer in fashion, I love her attitude - and that Bryan Boy attended the show. Dello Russo is Creative Director of Vogue Nippon and Bryan Boy is the fashion blogger to know. They represent two very different fashion media yet they are both such true fashion advocates. (This picture of Dello Russo makes me think of Carrie Bradshaw, no?).

Alber, we salute you.

Images courtesy of H&M.

Photography: Dan Lecca.

Lanvin for H&M

Lanvin for H&M

fashion style    5:37 AM   

Lanvin for H&M Fashion Show. See the full collection at Vogue.com UK.
Video from You Tube.

What do you think of the latest H&M designer collaboration? I think it's the best designer/high street collaboration yet, however, I'm never quite sure of my thoughts on such collaborations. I need to think this over properly. On the one hand, I think it's great that designers are making their work more accessible to fashion lovers in all financial positions, but on the other, I feel a little sad to see luxury brands, especially Lanvin, reproduced on a budget. For me, it kind of ruins the dream of one day shopping at Lanvin. The excitement and magic is lost.

Having said that, there are definitely two or three of the Lanvin for H&M dresses that I wouldn't say no to! The one-shoulder aubergine and the one-shoulder yellow dresses with elastic waists are insanely brilliant - they remind me of Lanvin AW08 and SS09. Some of the other pieces I'm not sure about, the shoes for starters. However, there is definitely something to suit everyone in the collection - men and women of all ages, fashionistas, trend setters and trend followers, professionals, students, general shoppers and Lanvin and H&M fans alike.
Alber Elbaz told Vogue.com UK, "H&M approached us to collaborate, and to see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world."
Elbaz says that the collaboration isn't about making Lanvin available to the masses, but he also says he wants to bring joy and beauty to men and women around the world. It's not just "a dress for less" - but, actually, it is. People will purchase the collection with the mindset that they are buying Lanvin on a budget, not that they are buying expensive H&M. I wonder if "Alber Elbaz for H&M" might have been more believable?
There is no doubt in my mind that Alber Elbaz is a genius, both for his high-end and high-street designs (whether you like them or not is another story!) but if money were no object, I wouldn't even consider the H&M collection. I would be walking home with a powder blue store bag, not a white one.

Will you be sharpening your elbows for the fashion fight on November 23rd?

 

lanvin for h&m

IMAGE COURTESY OF h&m.COM