H&M Conscious Exclusive 2016 – Historic Art Inspires Fashion For The Future

H&M announces a collaboration with the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, located in the Palais du Louvre in Paris to celebrate the new H&M Conscious Exclusive Collection. This beautiful new range has been inspired by the archives of the museum, and will be launched on Thursday, April 7^th, 2016, to coincide with the opening of the highly anticipated exhibition, Fashion forward – Three Centuries Of Fashion. H&M reveal Parisian Art Director, style maven and sustainability champion, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, will be the face of the campaign.

Parisian Art Director, style maven and sustainability champion, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, will be the face of the campaign.

“I am honored to be the ambassador of such a unique project. I think that the idea of creating a collection inspired by the history of art and fashion is fantastic, especially since it is made with innovative and sustainable materials which are the future of fashion,” says Julia. Known for her distinctively personal sense of style, Julia is the embodiment of effortless, conscious, modern cool.

For this Conscious Exclusive Collection the H&M design team has worked closely with the museum, delving into their collections of archival fashions as well as the work of artists such as Gustave Moreau to find inspiration. The outcome is a glamorous line of modern red carpet pieces infused with tactile charm, a nostalgic aesthetic and a historical legacy.

“With this collection we brought the idea of sustainability to new levels. Working with new innovative materials such as beads and rhinestones made from recycled glass and Denimite, a material made from recycled worn-out denim. We have created contemporary styles imbued with a sophisticated charm,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M.

H&M will be the exclusive sponsor of the upcoming exhibition which will include selected styles from the H&M archives, including a look from the first ever H&M designer collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004 as well as one silhouette from the new Conscious Exclusive collection.

The complete collection, featuring clothing and accessories for women, will be available from Thursday April 7th in approximately 180 stores worldwide and online at www.hm.com. For more information please visit www.hm.com.

David Beckham and Kevin Hart Star in New H&M Campaign

For his new H&M campaign, David Beckham has teamed up with actor and comedian Kevin Hart to give a humorous take on the world of Beckham himself. In the campaign, for the new Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham autumn 2015 collection, Hart plays a method actor preparing to take on the role of Beckham. The video will debut on hm.com on 28 September, and in cinemas and on TV on 30 September, alongside a print and billboard campaign.

This year, as part of its long-term relationship with David, H&M launched Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham. It’s his pick of the wardrobe essentials a man needs each season, and this new autumn 2015 collection is available in every H&M store that sells menswear from the beginning of October.

“Kevin Hart is one of the funniest, smartest guys around. I love to do the unexpected for my H&M campaigns. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as I did making it,” says David Beckham.

Kevin Hart is one of the world’s best loved comedians. He is the star of films such as Get Hard, The Wedding Ringer and Ride Along, and his current stand-up tour “What Now?”.

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham

David Beckham Bodywear

David Beckham Bodywear

“To be able to make fun of a global icon like David Beckham is a comedian’s dream. I love fashion as much as I love sports, which is why I was so excited to star in David’s new H&M campaign,” says Kevin Hart.

H&M Releases Inspiring Film Starring Iggy Pop, Pardeep Singh Bahra, Loza Maleombho, And Daniel Lismore To Highlight Global Recycling Initiative

To Celebrate, H&M and DoSomething.org Launch “Close the Loop College Cup” Competition Across the U.S.

“Our mission is to close the loop on fashion. By collecting old clothes and turn them into new updated styles, instead of letting them go to waste, we can completely change the way fashion is made.”

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz, released an inspiring film emphasizing that there is only one rule in fashion – to recycle your clothes! Starring icons Iggy Pop,Pardeep Singh Bahra, Loza Maleombho, and Daniel Lismore, the piece supports H&M‘s Close the Loop collection and Global Recycling initiative, which to date, has recycled more than two-hundred sixty billion pounds of unwanted clothing. Aligning with the brand’s efforts to create a more sustainable fashion future, H&M has also teamed up with DoSomething.org to launch the “Close the Loop College Cup” competition, focusing on recycling amongst U.S. college campuses.

The film clearly shows that there are no rules in fashion but one, to recycle your clothes. H&M‘s mission is to create a closed loop in fashion, with the ambition to emphasize that you can break the fashion rules as long as all unwanted clothes do not go to waste. Singer Iggy Pop narrates and stars in the film, alongside additional influencers such as Blogger Pardeep Singh Bahra, emerging Designer Loza Maleombho, and Artist Daniel Lismore. By collecting old clothes and turning them into new, updated styles, instead of letting them go to waste, we can completely change the way fashion is made. This will reduce the need for virgin resources; as well as minimize the impact fashion has on our planet. In 2013, H&M was the first fashion company to launch a global Garment Collecting initiative.

The “Close the Loop College Cup” competition, running September 3^rd through October 1st, has invited fifty colleges from around the country to compete to collect the most clothing to recycle at local H&M stores through H&M’s Garment Collecting initiative. Ambassadors from each school will lead their teams and classmates by collecting and recycling unwanted clothing around their campuses to be eligible to win a $2,000 scholarship, new laptops, and other compelling prizes for their teams and school.

Coming off the heels of H&M and DoSomething.org‘s second annual Comeback Clothes campaign this spring, the companies are excited to announce that cumulatively, Comeback Clothes has prevented nearly one million pounds of clothing from ending up in landfills. Rising star, Victoria Justice, served as the face of the second annual “Comeback Clothes” campaign, and starred in the Public Service Announcement as well as recycled her own clothes.

All H&M stores globally accept clothing and textiles of any brand, in any condition, year round that can be recycled in their garment recycling boxes. H&M encourages everyone to spread the word, and don’t let fashion go to waste, by sharing the film socially.

To view H&M’s new Garment Collecting video featuring Iggy Pop, click here
For more information on Close the Loop College Cup, click here
For more information about H&M’s Sustainability efforts, click here

New Denim Styles At H&M Help Close The Loop For More Sustainable Fashion

This September, H&M will introduce 16 new denim styles made using recycled cotton from textiles collected in the Garment Collecting initiative in H&M stores. The pieces for men, women and kids, are the latest steps toward H&M’s goal towards creating a closed loop for fashion, and will be available in all stores worldwide, as well as online.

“Creating a closed loop for textiles, in which unwanted clothes can be recycled into new ones, will not only minimize textile waste, but also significantly reduce the need for virgin resources as well as other impacts fashion has on our planet,“says Karl-Johan Persson, CEO of H&M.

H&M wants to create a closed loop for its textiles, in which the fabrics from unwanted clothes can be recycled into new ones. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry, by limiting waste that goes to landfill and saving on natural resources used in the production of fabric.

Since 2013, H&M customers worldwide have been able to bring unwanted clothes from any brand into its stores as part of its Garment Collecting Initiative. So far, over 18,000 tons have been collected globally.

Right now, H&M is able to use 20% recycled cotton from collected clothes, and is investing in new technology to increase this share without losing quality. H&M has a target to increase the number of garments made with at least 20% recycled fabric by 300% compared to 2014.

The new denim pieces, made from recycled cotton and organic cotton, include for women three styles of jeans, from skinny to distressed ‘girlfriend’ jeans, plus a denim jacket, flared dungarees and a denim jumpsuit. For men, there is a zip-up denim jacket, alongside two distressed slim leg styles, and a pair of joggers in coated denim. There are kids pieces too, including a zip-up hoodie with cute animal ears, along with stretch jeans sequined at the knee, or a street style hooded shirt, with distressed jeans.

H&M To Open Monumental Store In New York City’s Herald Square

On May 20th, H&M, will open its Herald Center flagship, which will become its largest H&M store in the world at noon with a special performance by music icon John Legend. One of the most dynamic shopping destinations in the world, Herald Center is located at the southwest corner of 34th Street where Broadway and Avenue of the Americas converge. The store will be the 13th location in Manhattan, and will become a fashion destination for the millions of New Yorkers and international visitors who pass through Herald Square.

Rendering of H&M Herald Center (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

Rendering of H&M Herald Center (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

The store located at 1 Herald Center in Manhattan, New York 10001. New York City has the largest concentration of H&M stores in the country, employing over 1,900 people. The store can be reached by phone at 212-564-3836. Store hours will be Monday through Thursday 9am-10pm, Friday through Saturday 9am-11pm, and Sunday10am to 9pm.

The new store has a custom illuminated store front that wraps around 33rd Street, 34th Street and 6th Avenue. Measuring approximately 63,000 square feet, the store will showcase all of the H&M including H&M’s Home Collection and a special shoe department for ladies and men. It will include four floors of H&M fashion for the entire family including ladies and men’s collections, H&M Sport, H&M Mama, cosmetics and H&M’s children’s collection. Unique store details will include a custom-designed 35 ft. modern glass facade with LCD screen, mirror and terrazzo tile details, as well as an approximately 30 ft. high atrium on the second level. The store will also feature two main street entrances.

The U.S. continues to be one of H&M’s most important expansion markets since its first store opened on New York’s Fifth Avenue thirteen years ago. The Herald Center Flagship is the third flagship to be opened in New York City in the past two years, resulting in the creation of almost 900 new jobs. Now offering U.S. consumers access to quality fashions at the best prices through 361 locations across the country and through Shop Online, H&M is delighted to continue its expansion in its first U.S. city.

To celebrate opening day, Grammy- and Academy-Award winning singer and songwriter John Legend will perform and cut the ribbon and twenty lucky winners will be chosen at random for a meet and greet. In addition, H&M Herald Center will have several exciting giveaways, including Access to Fashion Passes to the first 1,000 shoppers, valued from $10 to $1,000.

H&M customers can help close the sustainability loop in fashion by donating old pieces of clothing. Any customer who donates on opening morning will receive a voucher for 20% off their next purchase for each bag of donated clothing. To kick off the recycling program opening day, customers who bring garments to be recycled before the store opens at 12:00 pm will also have the chance to win H&M gift cards valued between $50 and $100 in addition to receiving the voucher.

H&M To Launches Beauty Collection this Fall

H&M Launches Beauty Collection this Fall (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

H&M has announced the arrival of its first full range beauty collection. The launch will kick off in stores this fall, with an assortment of makeup as well as haircare, body care and beauty tools. Fashion will play a major role, as it is at the heart of the range, with an ever-evolving makeup selection that focuses on seasonal looks, ideas and colors. Over 700 beautifully packaged makeup products will be introduced within the launch, followed by seasonal drops of new and limited-edition color collections. The new line, which will replace existing beauty products at H&M, will also include two subsidiary collections: a premium beauty line and a Conscious assortment of Ecocert-approved sustainable products.

H&M Launches Beauty Collection this Fall (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

The launch comes at a time when makeup is more important than ever as an expression of personal style, whether the look is natural, classic or fashion-forward. There will be new, dedicated beauty areas within the stores to help customers experiment with trends and develop a look that’s all their own.

The products will be available in over 900 stores worldwide and online at hm.com.

 

H&M Unveils new Tennis Collection for Tomas Berdych

Technology and a competitive edge are the themes of H&M’s new tennis collection, made in collaboration with Tomas Berdych, who will wear pieces from the range at the London Masters 2014. The collection is the latest in a long-term partnership between H&M and tennis player Tomas Berdych, currently ranked 7th in the world. He wears H&M on and off-court, as well as contributes to the design of the collection with the team at H&M.

The collection, available in selected stores as well as online, draws inspiration from Samurai Culture and fractured mineral formations, using new technologies and materials for both function and style.

“I love how this collection brings together fashion and technology,” says Tomas Berdych. “The basis of a good collaboration is being able to understand each other, to listen and to share objectives. I’m really pleased that our collaboration works so well.”

Pieces include a heat reactive printed T-shirt, and a polo decorated with a fragmented mineral pattern. As well as shorts, tights and caps, there are also pieces for keeping warm off-court in the winter months, such as a transforming parka and technical warm-up pants.

 

H&M Celebrates Their History Of Designer Collaborations In An Exclusive Book

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz, A.B., is excited to announce a new book available in select stores on November 6th to coincide with their Alexander Wang x H&M launch. The brand, a pioneer of designer collaborations, has dug into their archive to highlight a decade of partnering with luxury designers in an exclusive collector’s edition book available in select H&M stores on November 6th.

The book will retail for $34.95, available for purchase November 6, 2014 at select H&M store locations throughout the US. 25% of the cover price will go to UNICEF.

The book, The First Ten Years (which will retail for $34.95, available for purchase November 6, 2014 at select H&M store locations throughout the US. 25% of the cover price will go to UNICEF) takes readers through the creative journey of past to present designer collaborations. With dedicated chapters for each designer, readers can expect an insider view of archive materials surrounding each collection. In addition to ad campaigns, quotes and interviews some never before seen materials will be woven into this fascinating read.

In 2004, the Karl Lagerfeld for H&M collection changed fashion forever by bringing luxury style to a new audience at affordable prices. “Taste and looking chic is no longer a question of money or how you spend, but how you create a unique sense of style” says Lagerfeld.

The democratization of fashion is in the H&M DNA and for the past ten years the Swedish brand has exposed cutting edge designs from all the modern day greats. From Stella McCartney‘s dedication to create eco-conscious pieces to Sonia Rykiel’s knitwear, to the glitz of Versace the brand has redirected fashion retail trends and proven chic is not a question of money.

The First Ten Years, a one-hundred and forty page collector’s edition will feature the designs and imagery from Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli, Commes des Garcons, Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel, Lanvin, Versace, Marni, Maison Martin Margiela, Isabel Marant and Alexander Wang.

David Beckham stars in new campaign for H&M directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

H&M And David Beckham #Uncovered In New Super Bowl Commercial

Acclaimed Director Nicolas Winding Refn Guides David Beckham in “Two” Alternate Versions of Action-Packed Spots

Beckham Bodywear Super Bowl Commercial to Air During 2nd Quarter

“T-Commerce” Option-  Fans Can Purchase Beckham Bodywear During Game

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) unveiled all today about the company’s highly-anticipated Super Bowl commercial featuring David Beckham.  H&M’s second visit to the big stage is poised to be twice the fun with the David Beckham Bodywear 2014 Spring campaign officially launching on Super Bowl Sunday.

David Beckham will star in a new campaign to launch the spring collection of David Beckham Bodywear at H&M. Shot by director Nicolas Winding Refn, known for his movies Drive and Only God Forgives, the campaign will debut during the US Super Bowl on February 2nd 2014.

While H&M’s debut spot in 2012 was seductively simple, this new entry is a high-octane ride with tantalizing views of Beckham in never-before-seen positions.  To commemorate their second appearance, director Nicolas Winding Refn and David Beckham filmed two alternate versions of the action-packed 30-second spot, and fans will have the chance to determine which one the world will see on Super Bowl Sunday.

In the spot, David is accidentally locked out of a photo shoot on a rooftop wearing only his underwear.  With no way down, he goes to great lengths to find a way back inside, performing all his own stunts in the process.  Fans will see Beckham zipline across rooftops, scale buildings and navigate tricky obstacles all in his signature briefs.  The commercial culminates in one of two unexpected ways – with David either “#Covered” or “#Uncovered.” David has filmed two alternative versions, which will be put to a vote on http://www.hm.com to find the people’s favorite, voting starts January 27th.

H&M and David Beckham Debuts Bodywear Collection for Boys

This February, David Beckham has developed a cool yet comfortable Bodywear Collection for Boys. Stripes are key for the debut collection, just as with David’s men’s range this spring, which will be revealed later this January. Wide stripes appear on long sleeve Henleys, while smaller stripes are on vests, long-johns and trunks. Pieces such as the grey jersey pyjama shorts show the heritage athletic influence, which comes from David’s own love of vintage sportswear.

H&M And David Beckham Are Back In Action At The Super Bowl With Groundbreaking Campaign

David Beckham Comes to Super Bowl Boulevard to make first US appearance at H&M Times Square store

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) announces their triumphant return to the Super Bowl with a new David Beckham Bodywear campaign. In anticipation of the cutting-edge commercial, David Beckham will also make his first ever appearance at the new H&M Times Square store.

David Beckham on the set of H&M’s new high-octane Super Bowl commercial to launch the Spring collection of David Beckham Bodywear. (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

H&M will unveil a 30-second high-octane David Beckham TV spot featuring never-before-seen technology from Delivery Agent that brings a new level of consumer engagement and measurement to Super Bowl advertising. In an industry first, viewers with select Samsung Smart TVs will be able to buy pieces from the new David Beckham Bodywear collection instantly during the Super Bowl through the t-commerce platform.

H&M is the first retailer to launch a fully enabled t-commerce campaign that includes shopping from a commercial, as well as launching an H&M t-commerce boutique in the ShopTV™ marketplace, bringing pieces from the David Beckham Bodywear collection to consumers across the United States. The innovative technology will be demonstrated by both Samsung and Delivery Agent at the International CES show this week in Las Vegas.

“We’re thrilled to be back in action at the Super Bowl, showcasing our new campaign,” says Daniel Kulle, President H&M North America. “We’re bringing our A-game, the world’s top style icon and the best quality bodywear to the largest stage in the world.”

The cutting edge David Beckham Bodywear commercial will air during the 2nd quarter of the big game. The new collection marks the fifth season for H&M’s David Beckham Bodywear line, with nine styles designed in collaboration with the famed soccer player. The collection has quickly become a staple for men worldwide since its 2012 debut.

In anticipation of the collection launch, H&M will run a grand prize giveaway via Facebook and in-store starting on January 6th. Consumers who log onto H&M’s Facebook page and provide their email address will be entered to win a three night trip to New York City, two tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII and the opportunity to meet David Beckham. For further information, visit http://www.hm.com.

Amber Valletta is the face of H&M’s Conscious collections for spring

H&M is continuing its commitment to more sustainable fashion with two new collections – Conscious and Conscious Exclusive – in store from April 10, 2014. Both collections will star supermodel Amber Valletta, known for her interest in sustainability.

The Conscious Collection contains key fashion pieces, each made with materials that are more sustainable, such as organic cotton, Tencel®, hemp and recycled materials. It will be available in all H&M stores that carry womenswear, as well as online.

“I’m very excited to work with the H&M Conscious campaign, because we share the same values about sustainability. This collection shows that you can be as mindful about people and the environment as fashion conscious. I simply love the designs and the fact that all the pieces are made with organic, recycled and cellulose fabrics shows that you don’t need to compromise fashion for sustainability anymore,” says Miss Valletta.

For this year’s Conscious Exclusive Collection, H&M is working in collaboration with the sustainable fashion and design think tank Ever Manifesto, which shares H&M’s commitment to a more sustainable future for fashion.

The dramatic and intricately detailed pieces in the Conscious Exclusive Collection show what can be done with more sustainable materials, taking a mix of flamenco and bohemia as inspiration. Conscious Exclusive will be available in 150 selected H&M stores worldwide, as well as online.

“It’s great to engage with a brand like H&M that’s already aiming to lead the industry in making sustainable fashion mainstream, especially with such an elaborate and innovative  collection. To be able to support their Conscious teams and to implement and inspire positive change is a really exciting experience,” say Elizabeth von Guttmann and Alexia Niedzielski, Ever Manifesto.

For information about Ever Manifesto, visit: http://www.evermanifesto.com

The new H&M Sport: an expanded concept with focus on performance, fit and function

H&M is proud to announce the evolution and growth of its H&M Sport concept in January 2014. The new H&M Sport will offer greater choice and new designs for more sporting activities, reflecting the increasingly active lifestyles of women, men and children. The new H&M Sport collection has been designed with input from world class professional athletes from the Swedish Olympic team, placing the emphasis on performance, with a natural instinct for fashion. As well as a new visual identity, H&M Sport will also get its own dedicated area in selected stores. The expansion confirms H&M’s long-term commitment to H&M Sport, and its rapidly growing engagement with the world of sport.

“The new H&M Sport is so exciting, especially with the expert input from athletes from the Swedish Olympic team. Sport and fitness is becoming an increasingly important part of all of our lifestyles, and the new H&M Sport is there to help you look and feel great,” Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Head of Design at H&M.

“What we wear definitely makes a difference when we compete. It’s been a great experience to offer our advice for this newly expanded H&M Sport collection. Our focus has been checking the pieces for fit and function, for performance and also comfort. These new H&M Sport pieces will help everyone get the most out of their sporting life,” says Swedish swimmer and Olympic medallist Therese Alshammar.

What To Wear This Holiday: The Designer’s Pick Of The Key Essentials From H&M

It’s easy to look your best this holiday at H&M, whether it’s for parties and festivities or relaxing with family and friends. Here are H&M‘s Ann-Sofie Johansson and Andreas Löwenstam´s picks for what to wear for every occasion.

WOMEN

This season it’s all about effortless pieces, party essentials and a new takes on glamour, says H&M’s Creative Head of Design, Ann-Sofie Johansson.

TUXEDO JACKET: “Say hello to our new best friend. It works with everything, whether worn with a dress, or matched with a romantic blouse and leather leggings for a rock vibe”

BODYCON DRESS: “This black dress trimmed with lace is perfect for parties, and is so easy to wear.”

RED FLOOR LENGTH GOWN: “I love the drama of this sleeveless gown, which flows to the floor yet floats because it’s sheer. It’s such a modern way to add elegance this Holiday.”

OVERSIZED KNITS: “A big sweater is so versatile this season. I love seeing them dressed up over sheer skirts, or worn for cosying up with friends on the sofa.”

ROMANTIC BLOUSE: “It’s great when something that’s easy to wear also looks so chic. This romantic blouse is one of those effortless pieces that can be worn all Holiday season.”

MEN

Dress your best this Holiday, whether it’s sharp tailored looks, innovative knits or pieces with attitude for the party season, says H&M’s head menswear designer, Andreas Löwenstam.

TUXEDO JACKET: “It’s great how the new sharp tuxedo jacket gives an immediate lift. Every man should have one in his wardrobe, especially for the Holidays.”

INNOVATIVE KNITS: “These are the season’s statement knits, which use traditional patterns and texture in a fresh modern way. They look so great worn with a tux.”

TRIM-DETAIL SHIRTS: “Black with white trim, or white with a black trim, both so smart shirts that look good on their own.”

FLANNEL SHIRT: “There’s something about flannel shirts which looks so good right now. These brushed shirts are perfect for the new mood at parties this season.”

TOGGLE CARDIGAN: “This is the perfect chunky knit piece for the holidays, whether its for walks in winter sunshine, or for relaxing with friends at home.”

Celebrate The Holidays At H&M With A New Campaign And Giving Gift Cards

This holiday, H&M celebrates the season with a brand new campaign which invites the whole family to share the fun of a mansion house party. The campaign stars Christy Turlington, Doutzen Kroes, Liu Wen and Sean O’Pry are all part of the H&M family, dressed for the season in nonchalant glamour for women, or sharp tuxes for men. There’s also looks for party nights out, and the best times spent relaxing with friends and family. This season H&M is also giving everyone the chance to help less fortunate with special giving gift cards for WaterAid.

H&M and Lady Gaga to Open Epic H&M Flagship Store in Times Square

CUSTOMERS INVITED TO CELEBRATE MIDNIGHT OPENING

In honor of the launch of Lady Gaga’s new album, ARTPOP, H&M Times Square and over 175 stores nationwide will sell her CD for an exclusive price of $9.95 while supplies last.

H&M, Hennes & Mauritz (www.hm.com) is excited to announce the opening of its new Times Square store in the heart of New York City. The Swedish retailer will enter this bustling iconic destination on Thursday, November 14th at 12:01 a.m. with a ribbon cutting and lighting of the H&M logo on the top of 4 Times Square by global fashion superstar, Lady Gaga.

H&M And Lady Gaga Open Epic H&M Store In Times Square. (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

The approximately 42,000 square foot store will offer collections for ladies, men, young ladies and young men, with separate “shop in shop” areas for accessories, lingerie, sports apparel, maternity and the brand’s plus-size line, H&M+. This location will carry the Swedish retailer’s fantastic children’s collection, which features quality clothing for kids of all ages, from newborn to fourteen years. This will also be the first store worldwide to debut the Isabel Marant for H&M collection to the public.

This dynamic store embraces modern technology with a digital runway: a virtual catwalk projecting images of guests

H&M logo. (PRNewsFoto/H&M)

onto exterior screens that brighten the backdrop of the city that never sleeps. This unique content can also be accessed in real-time through the customers’ social media platforms. The store interior features other digital components such as LED screens, a charging station equipped with iPads, interactive mannequins and much more. Fluorescent fixtures and geometric metal installations further complement the futuristic, tech savvy store design.

To celebrate opening day, H&M Times Square will be open for 24 hours with a digital countdown announcing hourly offers for the whole family. The first 1,000 shoppers in line will receive an Access to Fashion Pass, valued from $10 to $1,000, and lots of fun give-aways! Twenty lucky winners will receive a golden ticket granting them a “meet and greet” with Lady Gaga and early access into the store to shop.

“This is truly a milestone moment for H&M, to have a footprint at the crossroads of the world and own a piece of the NYC skyline with our brand illuminated on top of this impressive building,” says Daniel Kulle, U.S. President for H&M. “With over 7,000 square feet of LED screens, and a 53 foot glitter wall in this ground breaking location, we knew we had to partner with a star who shines as bright as the store.”

This store is located at 4 Times Square and will be the 12th H&M store in Manhattan, New York 10036, NYC has the largest concentration of H&M stores in the country, employing over 1400 people. The store can be reached by phone at 212.221.1709. Store hours will be Monday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Trend-ology: New Exhibition to Open at The Museum at FIT

Fashion & Textile History Gallery at The Museum at FIT

December 3, 2013 – April 30, 2014

The Museum at FIT will present Trend-ology, a new exhibition that examines the sources from which fashion trends have emerged over the past 250 years. Themes highlighted include 18th-century court dress, the rise of the couturier in 19th-century Paris, hip hop fashion, and more recent developments related to blogging, fast fashion, and social-media networking. Featuring approximately 100 objects from the museum’s permanent collection, the exhibition will also highlight industry developments that have had an impact on how trends propagate. The show features designs by Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Rei Kawakubo, Jean Paul Gaultier, Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela, and Opening Ceremony, to name a few. Also on view is a video produced exclusively for Trend-ology, featuring interviews with fashion insiders Simon Doonan, Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony and Kenzo, Saul Lopez Silva of WGSN, and many others.

(left) Rodarte, evening dress, black and nude net, wool, black leather, beads, cheese cloth, and metal gauze, spring 2010, USA, museum purchase, (right) Rodarte for Target, evening dress, polyester crepe chiffon, 2009, USA, gift of The Fashion and Textile Studies Department and the School of Graduate Studies

Fashion trends change every season, with shifts in print, color, material, embellishment, and silhouette. These derive from a variety of sources, including urban street style, art, music, film, and socio-political movements. The word “trend” first arose as an economic term used to describe shifts in financial markets. Today, the word is ubiquitous in the fashion media, and trend forecasting companies have made researching and predicting trends a profitable business.

Yet, as we move further into the 21st century, specific trends seem increasingly hard to define. The advent of fast fashion, the internet, and social media have created a quick-paced global environment in which fashion trends emerge and spread in faster and more complex ways than ever before. By looking back at the history of trends, Trend-ology aims to help viewers gain insight into the current state of the trend cycle.

Louis Vuitton (Takashi Murakami), “Speedy 30” monogram handbag, multicolor monogram canvas, 2003, France, museum purchase

Trend-ology will open with an overview of 21st-century developments in fashion retailing. These will include examples from fast-fashion companies, such as Zara, H&M, and Topshop, that have contributed to the increasing fascination–and anxiety–surrounding trends. High-low collaborations, including a “Rodarte for Target” sequined dress from 2009, will be juxtaposed with high fashion designs–in this case, a runway piece from Rodarte’s spring 2010 collection. A selection of “It” bags, including a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 bag designed in collaboration with Japanese artist Takeshi Murakami, will illustrate how important the sale of accessories has become to luxury brands during the new millennium. To highlight the recent emergence of concept stores, the introductory section will culminate with ensembles from Opening Ceremony and Colette.

The exhibition’s historical chronology will begin with two 18th-century ensembles, one for a man and the other for a woman, rendered in vibrant shades of yellow. Once negatively associated with “heretics,” yellow became a trendy color in 18th-century dress. The change in yellow’s cultural meaning can be traced to the growing popularity in Europe of chinoiserie. In China, yellow was an auspicious color associated with the emperor.

(left) Dress, yellow silk faille, circa 1770, USA (possibly), museum purchase, (right) Men’s coat, yellow silk, circa 1790, USA (possibly), museum purchase

(left) Dress, yellow silk faille, circa 1770, USA (possibly), museum purchase, (right) Men’s coat, yellow silk, circa 1790, USA (possibly), museum purchase

Dress, tartan silk, circa 1812, Scotland, museum purchase

A selection of tartan dresses will show a recurring international trend for tartan dress that emerged during the 19th century from the widespread popularity of Sir Walter Scott’s Scottish-themed novels.

Starting in the mid-19th century, the pace of the trend cycle was accelerated by certain capitalist developments, such as the emergence of the couture house and the subsequent rise of the department store. These developments will be addressed in Trend-ology with a dress, circa 1883, by couturier Charles Fredrick Worth shown alongside an ensemble from Lord & Taylor, circa 1895, and a Lord & Taylor mail-order catalogue from the same period.

H&M Launches Mauritz Archive: the Outdoors Heritage of H&M Inspires a New Urban Look for Men

Coming this autumn, a special collection from H&M, Mauritz Archive, looks to the little-known outdoors heritage of the brand to create a new urban look for men. The collection is inspired by the archives of old Swedish outdoors store Mauritz Widfors, the “M” in H&M. The capsule range is full of pieces perfect for men in the city today, such as multi-pocket wool blazers, waxed cotton utility jackets, quilted shell linings, cardigan jackets and patched 5-pocket jeans. The company is also using the menswear line to boost the perception of its quality. Many garments in the 21-piece collection are made from specialty fabrics, such as waxed cotton — a material also used by J. Barbour and Sons Ltd. to make its jackets waterproof. In an industry under fire for cutting costs and shifting production to low-wage countries, H&M has looked to suppliers such as Abraham Moon & Sons, established in 1837, which manufactures only in Britain. There’s accessories like a rucksack, Ipad case and waterproofed boots, and it goes in 250 stores worldwide and  online on September 19.

The Loafer: A Shoe for All Seasons

Written by Phillip D. Johnson        

Shoe Images provided by Maguire Steele

In recent seasons, high-end shoe designers has taken the men’s loafer shoe into new heights of fashion, making what has long been a men’s staple shoe into a coveted high fashion must-have for women everywhere. Women’s high fashion loafers have appeared in so many collections (and permutations) over the past few seasons, that this usually understated shoe has become truly beyond fabulously trendy. It has become epic. Formerly seen only at preppy brands, the loafer has been taken up by such unlikely champions as Nicholas Kirkwood, the London-based footwear designer whose designs are not generally described as understated, in a pilgrim-inspired, rhinestone buckle version from Marc Jacobs; a suede platform loafer from Saint Laurent Paris and a gold-tipped kiltie-style from Chloé. The trend has even drifted downwards to H&M, Payless, Zara, and other “fast fashion” and mid-priced merchandisers. The loafer rules.

Few men’s shoes today are more flexible and diverse than loafers. Chances are that you have at least one pair of loafers

somewhere in your closet. The penny loafer is a classic. It’s every boy’s first dress shoe (no laces), looks perfect when beaten-up and broken down through your college days, and later is spiffy enough for the office. It’s a lifelong wardrobe staple and just about the most versatile shoe a man will ever own. The history of the loafer is really a simple one. The first loafer, as known and beloved by men today, was reportedly inspired by a 1930s photo in “Esquire” magazine, which captured a group of Norwegian dairy farmers wearing slip-on shoes. The farmers were standing around the “loafing” area where cows were waiting to be milked, which is why in 1933 the Spaulding Leather Company of New Hampshire

Eastland Topsham Tassel Loafer, $95

trademarked its new line of men’s footwear as Loafers.

A Maine shoemaker named John Bass had seen the same article, but was slower to act on it than his neighbor. So when Bass introduced his version of the loafer in 1936, he called them Weejuns, which was slang for Norwegians. One of the characteristics of the Bass shoe was a diamond or lip-shaped notch in the decorative, supportive leather band than ran across the instep. Some say the design was supposed to represent the lips of John’s wife, Alice, kissing each pair on their way out the door. But teenagers who wore the shoes started putting a penny in the slot for good luck, and the penny loafer was born. Manufacturers known for their men’s loafers include Florsheim, Johnston Murphy, Bally, Clarks, Kenneth Cole, Gucci, Eastland and Cole Haan, among others. The Italian fashion house of Ferragamo also makes loafers, as does Red Wing, although Red Wing is more commonly associated with work boots than casual shoes. Because the shoes were made of leather and often had simple, understated embellishments on the vamp, loafers could also be worn to work. In particular, the tassel loafer, some with wing-tip designs over the toe, became popular with attorneys and white-collar professionals. And they still are.

Because they could be slipped on, loafers were equally as popular with students in casual, social settings. Considered the official footwear of the preppy lifestyle, the penny loafer has earned its place in history, along with the cotton chino, the oxford shirt (preferably white with button-down collar) and the navy blazer, as an American wardrobe essential that’s timeless, stylish and appropriate for any occasion. The penny loafer had its heyday in the late nineteen fifties and early sixties when the shoe became a pervasive trend on Ivy League campuses. With socks, without socks, sometimes even with white tube socks and shorts, the penny loafer became a centerpiece of the newly solidifying post-war “Ivy League Look”. And although they lost some of their popularity during the youthquake turbulent years of the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s, the penny loafer managed to stage resurgence during the go-go, Wall Street Boom years of the 1980s. I remember having to wear penny loafers as part of my uniform throughout my entire pre-college school years (in the 1980’s0 and I loved them. Even today, GQ, Details, and Esquire prominently features loafer styles throughout a majority of their photo-editorials in each month issue of their magazines. It’s just the perfect shoe.

That’s why loafers—with or without the penny—have become an indispensable part of any stylish warm-weather wardrobe. They are just as appropriate for a summer wedding (when worn with khaki pants and a navy blazer). They are for a weekend spent running errands, without socks, in a pair of cargo shorts. And they are ideal for the office. This versatility, coupled with time-honored craftsmanship, ensures that loafers–penny or not–will remain an icon of style for decades to come.

Since 1955, three generations of the Maine-based Eastland family have been crafting timelessly classic, casual leather footwear of the finest workmanship, comfort and quality standards. Full-grain leathers, handcrafted detail, durable soles and exceptional comfort are built into every pair. Drawing from the state’s long-standing tradition of handsewn footwear, the Eastland brand is known for its Americana heritage-inspired style that reflects their Maine roots and long-standing traditional shoemaking principles. Their various footwear collections–including the premium Made in Maine USA and Eastland 1955 Edition Collections–offer styles for modern women and men who appreciate New England classic attitude, long-lasting quality and great value in their casual (and dress) footwear.