Versace x H&M [UPDATED]
The Italian label’s capsule collection is about to hit Seattle’s fast fashion headquarters.
Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Oct 21, 2011 at 07:15AM
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SLIDESHOW: The just-released images of the Versace x H&M collection, due to hit the downtown Seattle store on Saturday, November 19.
"The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we’ve brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace, such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can’t wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own.” Donatella Versace.
View Slideshow » Illustration:The Versace collection marks the first time that an H&M designer collaboration will include home and lifestyle pieces; Versace plays a pretty big game in the decor world.
View Slideshow » Illustration:“Versace’s collection for H&M is a moment in fashion. It is full of strong pieces that stand out, with colours, prints and cuts that are clean and precise. The women’s collection is flattering and full of dresses, while the men’s collection is very sophisticated. When I think about Versace I think of iconic items. With this collection for H&M we’ve got the essence of Versace.” Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Here’s an idea of pricing: Versace’s velvet take on the on-trend men’s baseball or bomber jacket thing goes for $129.
View Slideshow » Illustration:Blazer: $149 Shirt: $49.95 Jeans: $69.95
View Slideshow » Illustration:This is textbook Versace at everyman prices. It’s iconic, it knows no color boundaries, it mixes animal prints with ancient Greek architecture and design, and it’s $129.
View Slideshow » Illustration:I’m interested in seeing the detailing and construction on these pieces. Versace’s fit is all about boned body-sculpting and curve-hugging tailoring. Can they produce that effect for $200? And what was sacrificed if so?
View Slideshow » Illustration:I can see this dress in a lot of Seattle closets, though I wonder how sharp this stud detailing is. (Read: does it look cheap?)
View Slideshow » Illustration:Again, it’ll be interesting to see how detailed and intricate these pieces are in person. It’s hard to see just what’s going on with the sleeve and the skirt here, though the overall print is pretty loud and clear, huh?
View Slideshow » Illustration:I gotta say, I’ve been kind of obsessing about printed and patterned jeans lately. For Versace, they’re practically a heritage item. 80s and 90s versions of them pop up on eBay, and there are serious collectors of the niche item. These, from the upcoming collection, feel a little tropical for Seattle, but I like the high-waisted silhouette and ankle zipper.
View Slideshow » Illustration:I’m a little disappointed in the shoe options. There’s this unexciting heel, and a sort of pointy-toe granny-style ankle boot, also with a spike heel.
UPDATE: 11/14/12: The folks at H&M have released some rules and regulations for the opening day of the Versace collaboration. There’s a whole thing with colored bracelets and limited shopping time, but no, they can’t tell you what time you should set your alarm for if you’re gunning for those patterned red jeans.
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Those of us who pay attention to this kind of thing have known for awhile now that Donatella and Co. were next up for a cash-register maxing at collaboration-happy H&M. Just yesterday, images of the collection, dates, and stores were released.
On Saturday, November 19, the Versace x H&M collection will debut across the country (it hits overseas two days before) and at the downtown H&M store (the other area locations will not have it).
If you’re interested in bright, colorful, voice-y Italian threads at big box prices, my advice to you is to go to bed early on the 18th. Last year around this time two friends and I arrived at the Lanvin x H&M sale at something like 5:45am to find the line wrapped down Sixth Avenue past Morton’s and Mario’s. By the time the doors opened at 9 and we made it inside, there were seven or eight lonely pieces wilting on the racks. I scored one of the very last dresses, and felt guilty about it for weeks. (My friends got nothing but a poor night’s sleep.)
While most people wouldn’t peg Versace as a super Seattle-y label, I think the folks at David Lawrence, for instance, would beg to differ. It’s one of their main lines. I don’t expect this opening will be anything other than mobbed.
But for what? For what kinds of looks? And at what prices?
That’s the important part, so let’s get on with it. Check out the slideshow here for a sneak preview, and check back with us before the big day. I’ll do my best to get my hands on the nitpicky rules and regulations and share them here. (For example: at the Lanvin sale, there was a line for those who wanted to shop men’s and a line for those who wanted to shop women’s. You could get in earlier if you wanted to go downstairs and just shop men’s, but you were not able to duck into the women’s department afterward. I’ll try to sleuth out those policies for this go-round.)
Tags: Designer Collaboration,
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