17 Days to the Official Launch of Lanvin x H&M

By now, fashionistas, especially Lanvin and Alber Elbaz lovers, are anticipating for the official launch of Lanvin x H&M collection 2010, which is 17 days more.

What’s more, the unveiling of the entire collection to the public a few days back literally set the fire of eagerness to get their hands on almost everything Lanvin x H&M blazing.

“What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? How can we translate the essence of luxury to a wider audience? The world around us is changing rapidly and I find myself asking these questions more and more,” says Lanvin’s Creative Director, Alber Elbaz.

“Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream of luxury to the masses. It was almost like going back to school for me,” Elbaz added.

Despite being a collaborative collection, the prêt-a-porter collection is truly imbued in the essence of Lanvin – where a riot of oversize floral prints in a mini-dress clashes with the energy of the pattern, cut and gathers.

A one-shoulder dress in purple or hot pink, for example, has a puffed sleeve of unbelievable lightness, while a silk dress in navy or purple has ruffle sleeves, raw-cut neckline and the all-important grosgrain ribbon at the waist.

Meanwhile, a ballerina dress has three tiers and many, many layers of extravagant red tulle. Completing the collection is the assortment of irresistible accessories such as jewelled and ribboned heels, embellished bags, gloves, sunglasses and necklaces.

On the men’s department, Lanvin’s men’s designer Lucas Ossendrijver, brings together traditional codes with 21st century needs to create a wardrobe of covetable pieces such as tuxedo, shortened three-button blazer, the thin-knit cardigans or the zip-up hoodies for a true casual-to-smart layered look, and double-breasted coat and trench. All these are to be complemented with metallic coloured shoes, big-bowties and sequinned ties. Of course, as on my part, I’ve set my eyes on the acetate sunglasses (US$19.95).

Lanvin x H&M Collection 2010 will be at selected H&M stores worldwide on November 23rd, 2010 and items are priced from US$9.95 for ladies’ tights and lipstick to US$349.00 for coat.

*Photos courtesy of H&M

H&M – 68, Queens Road Central, Hong Kong SAR; Festival Walk Kowloon, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong SAR; Elements Kowloon Station, Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR.