Maison Martin Margiela with H&M

We may be counting down the days to Christmas but there is also an earlier date we need to circle on our calendar. And that date is Thursday 15 November, when the new H&M designer collaboration with French fashion house Maison Martin Margiela goes on sale.

This collection is a re-edition of iconic pieces from MMM’s archive which have been reproduced in updated shapes and materials. The key features for both the men and women collection are oversized, ambiguity, transformation and turning the process of tailoring into a look. The colour palette is kept classic with shades of white, black and nude accented with glamorous splashes of red, blue and silver.

For the Women

Oversized – Pea coat, blazers, trousers, turtle neck jumpers are supersized and baggy giving that just borrowed from the boyfriend look.  Accessories also get the oversized treatment with an enlarged key ring necklace and an extended oversized metal watch strap and frame as a belt.

Tailoring Processes – the tailor’s pattern cut becomes the design for jacket and trousers whilst the classic white shirt takes on a circular pattern cut shape.

Ambiguity – is that girl just wearing a bra?  No it’s the nude body with integrated black bra. Trompe l’oeil print transforms a high necked jersey dress into a low cut sequined dress. Clear Perspex wedges on footwear create the illusion of an invisible heel.

Transformation takes place when the duvet becomes an oversized cosy padded coat, the glove an evening coin purse, and an enormous candy wrapper a shiny metallic clutch bag. But it also comes in the guise of two dresses, one long and one short, fused together to create one dress and a knitted socks sewn into a sweater.

For the Men

Oversized - Does my bum look big in this? Well the enormous bum bag definitely does.

Tailoring process - Jackets show fused details of tailoring, an overcoat has inverted lapels and large loose basting stitches are visible around sleeves and shoulders. The sheepskin coat is reversed revealing the shearling wool and inside seams on the outside. Denim jacket and jeans are also turned inside out.

Ambiguity - Trompe l’oeil appears as a shirt on a sweater, confetti on a t-shirt and untied black bow tie on a white shirt. The weekend bag is disguised as a guitar cover.

Transformation - several car coats are deconstructed and reconstructed into one mismatched coat; several leather belts are transformed into a stripy leather jacket whilst jeans, denim waistcoat and footwear are painted white.

Once again H&M are bringing affordable designer labels to the high street, so treat yourself to an early Xmas present and start queuing up early on 15 November.

Look Book images by Paul Wetherell

Campaign shots by Sam Taylor-Johnson

By Karen Grace

Personal Shopper & Image Consultant for Frumpy to Funky http://www.frumpytofunky.com