H&M Designer Collaboration: KENZO for H&M Preview

KENZO x HM is the next designer collaboration coming to H&M this fall.

Parisian fashion brand KENZO is collaborating with H&M for a designer collection this fall with fashions for both men & women, expected in store and online Nov. 3, 2016. Previews from the collections lookbook started turning up on blogs like Nitrolicious and H&M’s Twitter feed last week. This collaboration reminds me of the goth athleticwear we saw from Alexander Wang for H&M –imagine that style but instead of black you now have neon animal prints on leggings, socks, bodysuits and outerwear. The collection, like Wang’s collection, also features the brand name KENZO on some of the pieces.

A preview of looks from the forthcoming KENZO for H&M collection (photos via H&M on Twitter.)

I love color and print, but based on the preview pictures I am seeing, I would pass on this collection. I’d rather wear a bell around my neck to announce my presence in a room like untouchables were once made to do, than put on KENZO x H&M. This is not my style, and I think most of the mass-market H&M fans may not go for it–with the exception of the boots perhaps and the oversized leather jacket. See the KENZO for H&M preview pictures above and let me know your thoughts readers. This is not something that I would wait in a queue at H&M with a group of eBay sellers to buy.

Isamaya Ffrench (makeup artist and part of the London-based collective Theo Adams Company) wears an oversized leather jacket with pink faux shearling lining, with a matching tiger print jersey roll neck top and high-waisted leggings. (image via H&M)

H&M, writing on their blog, describes the KENZO x H&M collection as “bursting with print, colour and individuality.”  That’s what you call marketing.

I love this comment from the Twitter feed of Seb Law @Sebulous

My verdict on #KENZOxHM: “looks like something that one of the queens from an early series of Drag Race would make with a hot glue gun”

Actually, I think the Drag Race contestants have done way better than the KENZO x H&M collection. I’ve shopped and waited in line for previous designer collaborations at H&M including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Isabel Marant, Alexander Wang and Balmain.  I may sleep in for this one.  I prefer the Kenzo fashions and accessories on sale now at Shopbop versus what I am seeing right now from H&M.