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You’ve read the stories, seen the posters on outdoor bus stops and soaked up the adverts, but tomorrow morning, the wait will finally be over for fashion lovers who want to get their inner tiger on.
The hotly anticipated collaboration between affordable fashion juggernaut H&M and cult Japanese luxury brand KENZO, via its current creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, hits stores and the brand’s website early tomorrow, after closely guarded invite-only viewings tonight for select fashion VIPs.
KENZO x H&M
“It’s really exciting to think that there’ll be some teenagers who will be getting their first ever piece by KENZO, and maybe their first ever taste of designer fashion, through KENZO x H&M,” the high street brand’s head of design, Ann-Sofie Johansson, told GRAZIA Australia.
KENZO x H&M
“Then there’ll be all the fans of KENZO around the world who have loved Carol and Humberto’s take on the brand since they started in 2011… It’s also exciting to think that there might be original customers of Kenzo Takada who will be buying pieces that will be like mementos for them of how they used to dress.” We asked Kenzo’s two creative caretakers for their take on the collaboration going on sale and the frenzy sure to follow…
KENZO creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon
How did the way you approached designing these pieces compare to your approach for Kenzo mainline? Carol Lim: KENZO x H&M is like a celebration of fashion for us. When we’re designing our usual collections at KENZO, we are always thinking about what our woman is wearing seven days a week, in every situation. This is a totally different collection, because it’s so quick and immediate. It’s all about energy, excitement and having fun with your look. We want people to experiment, try something different, break the rules and be playful with style.
KENZO x H&M: this ribbon dress is expected to be a hot commodity
We can clearly see Kenzo’s signature patterns, motifs and bold colours but (apart from price) how does this collection differ creatively? Humberto Leon: The collection is like a three dimensional conversation between us and the founder of the brand, Kenzo Takada, and for the first time we’re really looked at the archives. We’ve taken some of Mr Takada’s most iconic prints, pieces and themes, and clashed them with our own take on the brand. It’s the first time we’ve brought the two worlds together and the resulting pieces will only ever be available through KENZO x H&M.
KENZO x H&M: the brand’s designers expect this reversible kimono coat to sell fast too
What do you expect will be the hottest selling piece or pieces? Carol Lim: There are some real statement pieces in the collection, like the ribbon dress, which is our take on one of Mr Takada’s most iconic designs. Then there are pieces that you can take and easily make part of your own look, like the reversible kimono coat, the tiger print shirt with the frilled collar or the medallion sweater. And of course we had to include a sweatshirt in the collection, which has its own special patchwork logo and a frilled mandarin collar with antiqued floral buttons. We’re so excited to see who buys which pieces when the collection hits the stores.
KENZO x H&M
KENZO x H&M
KENZO x H&M: this badge sweater’s another piece Lim and Leon expect to be extra popular
