All Of H&M's Best Designer Collaborations So Far
From Moschino to Erdem, see the best H&M link-ups
By Harper’s Bazaar Singapore Team - published
As H&M's Moschino collection goes on sale, we look back over the high-street store's history of designer collaborations.
This article originally appeared on Harper's Bazaar UK.
In 2004, Karl Lagerfeld became the first designer to collaborate on a collection with H&M, creating a capsule range of womenswear and menswear. When shops opened on 12 November, the collection sold out within minutes, setting a precedent for future collaborations.
British designer Stella McCartney followed in Karl's footsteps a year later with a collection that mirrored her main line. McCartney's signature trousers, blazers and blouses were on offer, as well as pretty, boho-chic dresses.
H&M approached avant-garde fashion duo Viktor & Rolf to produce their third collaborative collection. The designers took their inspiration from a wedding dress, designing their entire line around this one exclusive piece.
Next up was Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, whose ultra-glamorous, sexy aesthetic was played out in gold lamé, animal print and sequins, with dapper tuxedos for the boys.
How would cool, cult Japanese label Comme des Garcons bring their unique aesthetic to the high street? With a collection of highly covetable winter pieces, including kilts, polka dot blouses and macs, of course.
Related article: Paris Fashion Week: 10 Best Looks From Comme Des Garcons Spring 2018
Matthew Williamson's collections for H&M marked two firsts – the first time the designer had branched into menswear, and the first collaboration that was available in all H&M stores worldwide. The womenswear collection was made up of Williamson's signature breath-taking dresses in bright colours and exotic prints, modelled by Daria Webowy.
Jimmy Choo's Tamara Mellon designed a limited edition party wear collection for H&M in 2009, featuring shoes, dresses and accessories. Focusing on Jimmy Choo signatures, such as crystals, studs and animal prints, it was instantly recognisable and wildly popular.
Alber Elbaz became the latest Paris-based designer to turn his hand to the high street in 2010, when he brought Lanvin to H&M. While Lanvin's extravagant designs would be near impossible to make on a high street budget, the designer still managed to bring a sense of the brand's magic to the collection, with t-shirts and dresses featuring exquisite details like grosgrain ribbon and jewels.
The fashion world's excitement was palpable when H&M announced that their next collaboration would be with Versace. Shoppers queued around the block the night before the collection hit stores in November, and repeated the process in January when the Cruise collection was launched.
Related article: Versace May Be Bringing Back These Cool 90s Apple Sneakers
Marni brought its signature fun prints and bright colours to their collection for H&M in March 2012, which featured graphic print dresses, skirts and tops, as well as quirky accessories and jewellery.
Maison Martin Margiela became the next designer to collaborate with H&M in 2012. The famously mysterious design house were an unusual choice - having eschewed publicity since its inception - but the collaboration was as hotly anticipated as any other. Available on eBay before it even went on sale in stores, it was another runaway success for the Swedish retailer.
The queen of casual Parisian chic Isabel Marant was the next designer to step up to the H&M plate in 2013, presenting a relaxed collection based on her signature pieces. Leather trousers, slouchy knits and oversized T-shirts all sold out in no time.
To mark 10 years of designer collaborations, Alexander Wang became the first American designer to lend his talents to H&M. Like his ready-to-wear collections, the collaboration is heavily inspired by functional sportwear, as demonstrated by Joan Smalls in the advertising campaign.
Related article: All The Pieces From The Alexander Wang X Uniqlo 2018 Collection
Olivier Rousteing designed arguably the most popular H&M collaboration to date. With Balmain's signature style firmly in place and with Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn all on board to model the collection, there's little surprise it went down so well.
A vibrant and colourful collection was in store when H&M teamed up with Parisian fashion house Kenzo.
It was all about ditzy florals and feminine silhouettes in one of the prettiest collaborations in H&M's history. Legendary director Baz Luhrmann even created a film to help communicate the designer's vision.