![]() Images from Marni at H&M collection which opens at 260 stores around the world and online, Thursday. / Courtesy of H&M |
By Noh Hyun-gi
International brand H&M is finally launching its collaboration with Italian fashion label Marni on Thursday. The collection will be available online and at 260 stores around the world. In Korea, the much anticipated collection will be offered at H&M’s Seoul stores in Apgujeong, D Cube City in Sindorim-dong and Noon Square in Myeongdong, and at Shinsegae Department store in Incheon.
Since the specialty retailer of private-label apparel (SPA) brand announced its guest designer for the 2012 collaboration project last year, fashionistas have been holding their breath. This collection, led by the brand’s founder and creative director Conselo Castiglioni, is full of prints and patterns, Marni staples. Combining tribal prints with Bauhaus graphics, Marni at H&M presents clothing and accessories for women and men.
Silky dresses and cardigans with Marni’s bold polka dots and mixed patterns are available for 119,000 won, affordable compared to the designer label’s usual price range at over $2,000. Also noteworthy are the part-leather blouses available for 119,000 won. More short sleeve blouses ― floral and geographic patterned ― are available for the same price. The collection also includes collar-necklaces for 29,000 won. Block bracelets cost 29,000 or 49,000 won. For men, short vests are available for 79,000 won and simple four-pocket jackets are 199,000 won.
Sofia Coppola, Academy Award and Golden Globe winning director-screenwriter, directed the campaign for Marni at H&M
H&M has been presenting amazing collections with guest-designers starting with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004. Others guests include French fashion house Lanvin in 2010 and Versace in 2011. H&M invited Madonna to design clothing and accessories in 2007. Jimmy Choo contributed to a limited-edition of shoes and handbags in 2009.
The latest collection, Versace for H&M garnered much attention ― the products sold out in less than an hour in many cities. In Dubai and Beijing, shoppers waited outside the store for over two hours and the collection was sold out in 30 minutes. Drawing from Versace’s history since 1978 H&M shocked the world with body hugging dresses with the signature images of ultra-sexy tops, and pants and skirts.
H&M operates in 43 countries with some 2,500 stores with over 94,000 employees. The first store opened in Vasteras, Sweden in 1947.