Between the Versace collaboration debuting on November 17th, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s Trish Summerville’s collaboration debuting December 14th, H&M continues to dominate the fast fashion markets with their list of affordable luxury designer collections.
Founded in 1947, H&M is known as the Pioneer of Fast Fashion, offering fashion and quality at the best price. Through horizontal division of labor, the team at H&M can go from written concept to finished product in just 20 days. H&M’s broad customer base is what differentiates it from other affordable fast fashion brands ranging from men and women to babys and maternity. H&M is available in 41 different countries, and is considered one of the most global fastest growing fashion retailers.
As early as November 2004, H&M introduced their first designer collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld to directly address the growing demand for luxury goods. This enabled high-end designers to trial new product areas, create new audience, increase brand awareness, improve brand reputation, and spread brand values. It provided a means for H&M to generate financial growth by reinvigorating consumer excitement about the featured brand, while preserving the retailer’s core aim: to bring affordable fashion to the masses. Karl Lagerfeld’s collaboration yielded financial success in the form of a 24% increase in sales that November. Since 2004, H&M has gone on to do collaborations with Stella McCartney, Viktor and Rolf, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, Comme Des Garcons, Matthew Williamson, Roberto Cavalli, Madonna, and now Versace and Trish Summerville.
On November 17th, H&M will release it’s much sought after Versace line. Colorful, edgy editorials have been released illustrating some of Versace’s defining characteristics of studded leather and loud colorful prints. The collection includes both men and womenswear, accessories, and for the first time ever, H&M’s collaborative collection will include bits of housewear-like cushions and bedspreads. Check out the collection HERE!
Recently announcing collaboration with Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s costume designer, Trish Summerville, H&M keeps their consumers on their toes. With inspirations rooted in one of year’s most eagerly awaited films, the collection is full of “dark urban feel” pieces that define the film and book’s main character, Lisbeth Salander. Very cool. Check out more about it HERE!
With an H&M on the verge of opening at my local mall, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get a few key pieces from each collection. Much like the Missoni line for Target, these collaborations are causing quite an uproar. I just hope the H&M website holds up better than Target’s.
