Alanoud Badr aka @fozaza stuns in the new H&M collection
The Simone Rocha x H&M collection has finally dropped, but you’ll need to be extra quick before the much-anticipated collection, available at hm.com and in select stores, all sells out. With Alexa Chung already an owner and the server for H&M's Chinese website crashing moments after the capsule was released globally on March 11, the Swedish high street giant’s latest designer partnership is undoubtedly another slam dunk.
The pieces in the whimsical, romantic, playful and body-friendly collection, which has sustainability as a key factor, brings together all the signatures and classic elements Rocha has become famous for during the past decade. The half-Irish designer with a Honk Kong heritage has created a really girly array that features her favourties like distinct tinsels, shiny embellishments, floral motifs, beading, pinks, frills, round cut-outs and voluminous skirts. Rocha, who has additionally designed her first childrenswear pieces and menswear for the collaboration, has also included her trademark bow-trimmed sleeves and pearl-trimmed collars.
Like her own label’s collections, the line-up honours her background and is laced with inspiration coming from the customs and craftsmanship of Hong Kong, plus masterpieces from art history.
“It’s 10 years now since I started, so it was nice to look back through the archive,” Rocha, the daughter of fashion designer John Rocha, told “Vogue” when the partnership became public. “It felt important to pick out pivotal moments that you could recognise as my codes, to share my identity.”
However, while reviving her archives, Rocha, the 2016 Womenswear Designer of the Year winner at the British Fashion Awards, did turn to some bespoke fabrics created exclusively for the collection. For the collection, the designer came up with magical pieces including tulle dresses that incorporated some of her preferred details like pinks and tartan, the latter also found on trousers. Other dresses include the special puff-sleeved fil coupe floral one, the short cloque offerings, the day dresses in organic cotton with broderie anglaise detailing, as well as slim ones. For those on the look out for outerwear, there are classic trenches and the National College of Art and Design and Central Saint Martins’ graduate’s trademark special pink coat, coming in sparkling tweed here. Apron tops, cosy bubble knits, sequinned bralets and wool cardigans can also be found in the rounded collection that’s suitable for every day. Leisurewear fans haven’t been forgotten by the designer who has fans like Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama and Rihanna either, as there are spongy hoodies, joggers and embellished jersey T-shirts.
Accessory aficionados can find Rocha’s footwear staples like brogues with pearl-shaped embellishments and feather-decorated ballerinas and slides, that come with a twist. Neoprene totes with bow details on the straps are also a highlight, while the earrings, hair accessories and tiaras are perfect princess-like add-ons.
Just before the launch of the epic collection, H&M x Simone Rocha revealed an augmented reality pop-up book. The AR experience featuring the work of painter Faye Wei Wei has an all-star cast, including Helena Bonham Carter, Kaia Gerber, Paloma Elsesser and Francesca Hayward, who appear in miniature. Created by scanning QR codes, it allows fashion lovers to see how wonderfully each piece moves, swirls and hangs from home.
Cool and replete with artistic whimsy, Sandra Mansour's collection is a head-turning union of her intricate ready-to-wear dresses and H&M’s hip pieces.https://t.co/AzuVDi8riX
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) July 23, 2020
Ever since H&M debuted their designer collabs back in 2004 with Karl Lagerfeld, they have been an annual highpoint. Other lines have been created with Stella McCartney, Versace, Isabel Marant, Moschino, Giambattista Valli and of course, Sandra Mansour, the first Arab creative to work with the coveted fast-fashion retailer.
