Versace has not even released its second collection for H&M yet and the Swedish giant is already announcing the (exciting) news that they will be collaborating with Marni for their next designer line. The collection, which will be released on March 8th 2012, will include womenswear, menswear and accessories. Consuelo Castiglioni, creative director for Marni, has promised to stay true to the brand's DNA that has created their crowd of faithful followers (me included). Consuelo's vision for this line follows the luxury sportswear vibe we have seen for the last few seasons. She also promises mixing tribal prints and Bauhaus graphics and bold colours. How excited are you? I simply can't wait! Haven't been this excited since Karl Lagerfeld for H&M.

Style.com

This morning, after a couple of hours of unconfirmed (but pretty likely) rumours, H&M confirmed that next on the line of their famous designer collaborations will be Versace.

Donatella herself explains how she has been looking into the archive to make sure that the DNA of the collaboration is 100% Versace. We can, then, expect some of the iconic Baroque gold prints mixed with colours. Ahead of the curve, of course, is Lady Gaga, who has already dug into the Versace archive for her latest video. Coincidence? I think not.

The collection will hit stores worldwide on November 17th so it will still be a while before we even see a preview. However, I think it's safe to assume that, together with prints, we'll see long gowns with crazy side-slits in bright hues and white and there will also be a lot of super short very daring dresses and skirts with prints and studs. We'll sea a lot of leather, strapless tops and huge sunglasses and handbags.

Are you excited about this collaboration?

Take a look at the H&M winter look book, which has just come out. I know we have barely even started wearing summer clothes but it's never to early to start planning your buys for next season. At least when it comes to high street brands. I am really impressed with their f/w11 collection. There is a clear and strong 20's influence (and 'Miu Miu' heels) but it's been softened by using earthy tones instead of blacks and sequins. I am also very keen on the prints, which make a nice contrast. And I love the fact that Karlie Kloss models half of the pieces. That walk...!

[Courtesy of H&M]

H&M x Lanvin: My picks

As promised, here are my picks from the Lanvin collection for H&M. After queuing for hours in the cold Iñaki and I finally got in and we had a strategy so I didn't miss out on anything. We split the area in two and each of us would grab what I wanted in my size. I was annoyed not to be able to get the amazing fuchsia one-shoulder dress in any size below 14 but between the two of us we managed to take to the fitting room most of what I wanted. The bad news is some of the dresses with the ruffles and the tutu skirts were a bit too puffy and unflattering. So I ended up choosing the black dress with the embroidered neckline, which is to die for and I can't wait to wear on Friday night! I also got one of Lanvin's signature tees. I, of course, went for the one that was the most fun; I especially love the chiffon detailing! The accessories were a bit on the the disappointing side. The shoes were too low for my taste and the bags a bit too glitzy and cheap-looking. But I loved the kind of arty earrings, I simply can't wait to wear them! What did everyone get?

Giuls xx

[Pictures: Giulia]

The coolest shopper, duh!

Giulia and I rose (too) early this morning to head down to H&M's flagship store on Regent Street and try to get a head start at the Lanvin x H&M collection launch. We queued for about two hours, enjoyed a Starbucks and built up the excitement as our body temperature dropped. It was at some point then, after the sun had come out, that Vogue.com spotted Giulia's warm, chic and easy look to endure the wait. What did they expect from soVIPzone, tracksuit bottoms and fleece?! (Stay tuned for our post on Giulia's buys).

I'm off.

[Picture: Vogue.co.uk screen cap]

Too much for your credit card

We're merely days away from the world premiere (for mortals) of the Lanvin x H&M collection but having our harts pounding with the doubt of whether we'll be able to get our favourite pieces in our size is not enough. Alber Elbaz has customised the H&M looks and turned them into a mini couture collection. The line, which was shown in New York last night, is being auctioned online until November 26th to donate all its proceeds to UNICEF's "All for Children" project in partnership with H&M.

Our beloved Queen of fashion, Anna dello Russo was, of course, amongst the personalities who walked the runway at the New York show, for which she donned Alber Elbaz's couture look number 9 (currenly at a $189 bid). Pixie Geldof (yuk!) and Dree Hemingway joined Anna and the rest of the models in showcasing the rest of the collection.
I absolutely loved AdR's pink number (including the clashing red heels) as well as the Miss Lanvin look, the two classic black dresses and the cocktail bride one. I'd gladly marry anyone wearing that. Just as easily as any woman who wears the incredible crystal-studded sunglasses or the leopard tights. I can't even begin to imagine what H&M is going to be like on the 23rd with every woman in the world willing to do anything to get the dress(es) she wants. Even the paper bags our purchases will come in are a must-have!

I'm off.

[Pictures: Lanvinforhm.com, Jak & Jill, redcarpet-fashionawards.com]

Lanvin x H&M: What we'll get

This week we got to finally see the entire collection that Alber Elbaz has designed for H&M in the name of Lanvin. I tend to be a little sceptical when it comes to designer collaborations because, in the past, they have been rather disappointing. So I was scared of how much they were building up the Lanvin line. Until I saw it, that is. I think the clothes look incredible and the range and quantity of pieces are spectacular. I believe it is unprecedented to create something so close to an actual full collection for a high street shop. I hope other designers learn from Elbaz for future collaborations. [Don't miss the video]

You might remember that a couple of weeks ago I posted about my predictions and wishes for the pieces we'd definitely see and those I'd love to see. I was right about Alber creating a number of separates. But I thought that'd only refer to tailored pieces. However, the line goes beyond and offers a range of Lanvin's signature embroidered t-shirts, sculptured skirts, blazers and even a faux-fur coat!
I had my doubts about the jewellery and, alas, those have been confirmed. It looks quite cheep and uninspired. But it is a hard task to make jewellery on a budget as it's quality depends as much on the materials as it does on the design. The bags, however, are a great surprise. I think they're perfect for night, specially if you want to add a dash of colour.

The shoes are a bit of a hit and miss. My favourite ones are the leopard pair with the bejewelled heel and the ankle ribbon because, despite the detailing, they look effortless and chic. I'm unsure about the other pairs. The red pumps are okay but cheap patent leather never looks good, never. My issues with the other two pairs are the unfinished effect on the trimming of the bows rather than the shoes themselves. I guess some people will like that but I am more into polished.
I was also hoping for some of Lanvin's bright hues and drapy pieces. There isn't much drapery in the collection, which is substituted by ruffles in different sizes and layers. I think that's a clever, cheaper option and it definitely works. There's pinks, oranges, reds, yellows and bright prints in the shape of one-shoulder and strapless dresses that will work for different occasions.

And last, black, of course. This was my safest bet as we had seen some of it on the first images already. I like the fact that they're a bit more restrained but they retain that femme fatale vibe to them. My favourite is the not-black-but-blue short number with the vertical ruffles. It's simple and elegant but there's an element of sexy drama to it that I absolutely love. As I loved the sunglasses that Elbaz has created both for men an women of which I must have a pair!

Which pieces are you dying to have?
I'm off.

[Pictures: CoutequeCoute.com, carolinesmode.com]

Lanvin x H&M: What we'll see and what we want

Giulia and I were quite excited last night when we read that Vogue.com was giving us a first look at Lanvin's collaboration with H&M that comes out on November 23rd. As exciting as this beautiful picture (shot by David Sims) can be, the truth is we haven't found out any more than we al ready knew. The line will include lots of black and, at least, one of Lanvin's famous one-shoulder dresses.

At soVIPzone we have looked back at some of Alber Elbaz's most popular collections to try and figure out what is it that we will see based on Lanvin's past hits and the released picture. But we have also tried to guess which unreleased pieces will be filling H&M rails in a few weeks.


And we couldn't forget jewellery, of course. The picture released today makes it evident that we will see pearl necklaces and bracelets with bulky emerald green and pale pink flowers attached to them. But we wonder whether some of Lanvin's chunkier pieces and their famous ribbon necklaces will also make an appearance. That would make a round collection.

I'm off.

[Pictures: Style.com, Net-a-Porter]

H&M x Lanvin

It's taken just about 24 hours to actually be confirmed. Drapers and WWD joined general twitter gossip yesterday morning in spreading the rumoured news that Lanvin was the latest designer collaboration with Swedish high street giant H&M. Later on the day many tweets started confirming the liaison. However, it wasn't until this morning that H&M itself published the first promo video for it. We can relax and stop guessing and start working out to fight for what we'll want.

Alber Elbaz says "it wasn't a project about a dress for less" but that the collaboration was more based on the "idea that H&M was going luxury". All other previous designers have said something of the sort about their collections and the latest ones have had really 'wannabe' results. However, the fact that Lanvin has worked with Acne creating an amazing yet relatively inexpensive line for them proves that they're, at least, going in the right direction.
The collection will be unveiled on November 2nd in a short film published on the H&M website. The collection will start (and probably end) selling in stores on November 23rd. In the meantime, more videos will be published on the same website starting September 9th.

How excited are you?!
I'm off.

Guess what was in the mail today?
I am invited to the Vogue event for Matthew Williamson and H&M and I am so excited. I do not know if it will include celebs and so on but I will keep you posted.
I'm off.
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