H&M x Maison Martin Margiela

H&M continues its on going success in collaborating with luxury brands and making them accessible to a wider audience - this time bringing a French flair from Maison Martin Margiela.

The label was founded back in the late 80s by Martin Margiela, who graduated from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts in 1980, before working as a freelance designer at Jean Paul Gaultier. Between 1997 and 2003 he was also the creative director of the Hermès Women’s line.

The collaboration brings designs all based on originals from the 23-year-old Margiela archive, along with more wearable styles, such as wool coats, coated denim and tailored suits.The mensline is vast in comparison to previous collaborations and features 30 pieces, including outerwear, formal attire, casual button-downs, trousers, footwear and accessories.

Some of the stand out pieces use fusion combinations which I personally love the look of - the innovative leather jacket made from stitched together belts, a sweater made from bold football scarves, as well as the two tone suit jacket with an off centre tailored joins by deconstructing two different jackets and reinventing them into one - something which adds wittiness and some daring quirk that I wish we'd see more of in the high street. I would however say half of the collection is perhaps an unnecessary 'filler' which bring nothing new or exciting to the table - a mundane white shirt and bow-tie and a suit in a choice of black or 70's throwback camel...doesn't really do much for me. 

One of the highlights of the collection has to be the footwear range, including two high top sneakers in white and a lush vintage red and as well as a range of slip-on shoes and boots, several of which feature a brush-painted effect.

Accessories include a metallic scarf and a 'legendary' leather guitar shaped bag along with an offering of several leather belts, a bracelet and an oversized one shoulder bagpack in 'fanny pack' form.

Each piece will come with a label telling the wearer which year and from which collection the garment originates from. Check out the images below which gives a first comprehensive overview of the pieces set for release in stores starting November 15th.