Alexander Wang x H&M
Alexander Wang set social media alight by confirming a deal to collaborate with H&M. The American designer will create a range of men’s and women’s clothing for the high street chain, Europe’s second largest clothing retailer. Wang, who also serves as Creative Director of Balenciaga, revealed news of the collection, which will also include accessories, through a post on his brand’s Instagram account. The 30-year-old follows the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin and Marni, who have all teamed with the Swedish giant. However, Wang is the first American to head up a project of this kind in the store’s 10-year history of collaborations. In a recent interview, H&M’s Creative Ddvisor Margareta van den Bosch described Wang as “one of the most important voices in fashion today”. “He understands exactly what people want to wear and does it with an energy and passion that’s infectious. It feels incredible to be collaborating with him this year,” she added. A video featuring a basketball scoreboard counting down to the ‘Wang x HM’ launch was posted online via the app, shortly before a second confirmed the collaboration. The follow-up clip also revealed an event due to take place at Californian music festival Coachella under the ‘Wang x HM’ banner. The sportswear-inspired designer told WWD his range will include “a new element of lifestyle offering that’s a completely new way of approaching the collaboration”. In a statement Wang commended the Stockholm-based company for being “very open to pushing boundaries and to setting a platform for creativity”. The Alexander Wang x H&M collection comes shortly after French designer Isabel Marant’s offering in November 2013. A luxury line of audio accessories created with Dre Beats late last year was an early indication of the young star branching out within the industry. Despite being “too early to give [the details] away”, according Wang, a date has already been given for the unveiling of the full collection, which will take place on November 6th.
