Budget Fashion: Versace for H&M

Donatella wearing a piece from the H&M collection at Men's Fashion Week earlier in the week

A break in the schedule for this hot off the press announcement, but don't for get to read today's regular post too!

VERSACE TO DESIGN ICONIC COLLECTION FOR H&M THIS AUTUMN

H&M is proud to announce that its Autumn 2011 designer collaboration will be with one of the world’s most legendary fashion brands, Versace. Designed by its creative director Donatella Versace, the exclusive collection will look back to the vibrant heritage of the brand, full of leather, prints, colour and exuberance in exclusive materials at fantastic H&M prices. The collection will include ranges for women, men and selected pieces for the home. It will be available from 17th November in around 300 stores worldwide, as well as on-line. In addtion, Donatella Versace has also designed a pre-spring collection for H&M which will be exclusively available in countries with H&M on-line sales from 19th January.

“I am thrilled to be collaborating with H&M and to have the opportunity of reaching their wide audience. The collection will be quintessential Versace, perfect for H&M and Versace fans everywhere,” says Donatella Versace.

“Versace is one of the most important brands of recent times, and their collection for H&M will be glamorous and flamboyant – everything Versace stands for. Donatella Versace is sharing with us iconic designs from the archives. This is such a celebratory collaboration and is perfect for the party season,” says Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.

Versace is a brand that is steeped in glamour to its very core. Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace, his daring dresses and wild iconography revolutionized fashion, creating provocative styles from classical themes which were all cut with an impeccable design eye. Since 1997, Donatella Versace has continued Gianni Versace’s work as creative director, evolving the brand into a global fashion house at the forefront of what luxury means today. Famous worldwide for her signature wardrobe, Donatella Versace is the epitome of everything the Versace house stands for.

Versace is the latest house to collaborate with H&M on an exclusive designer collection, following the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo and, most recently, Lanvin. For H&M, Donatella Versace has looked back to the archives to reinterpret some classic Versace designs. The womenswear collection will be dominated by dresses that fit right in with the spirit of the season, featuring studded leather and colourful prints, with accessories including high heels and costume jewellery. The men’s collection will focus on sharp tailoring, including the perfect tuxedo, as well as belts and jewellery for men too. For the first time in a designer collaboration at H&M the collection will consist of some homeware pieces, including cushions and a bedspread.





Watch the video!

Seems like Donatella has had some time to reconsider since making this statement in 2008:

"Don't expect a Versace diffusion line at H&M while Donatella heads the label. She told the crowd at the New York Times' TimesTalk series yesterday that though she's been asked to do a lower-priced line, she refused. "I respect everyone who does it," she said. "But the reason I didn't do it is because I work very hard to put the Versace line in the luxury section. I think to put the Versace line in H&M would confuse the brand." Read the full interview HERE

So, excited anyone???
Pearl

Press release courtesy of H&M