Modern drama is at the heart of the H&M Autumn Collection 2013, presented first on the catwalk of Paris Fashion Week, and debuting in around 200 stores worldwide on September 5, as well as online. Created by H&M’s own design team, the collection mixes tailoring with glamour to create contrasts full of a tomboy spirit.
Tailcoats create a dramatic silhouette either long or cropped, while a variety of delicate sequin dresses add faded grandeur. Extra shine comes from the sequins and fringing of an embellished shoulder piece that can be worn over any outfit. A ceremonial jacket has a cropped, boxy shape, while leather jackets have a new vintage feel with mismatched buttons. Quilted leather trousers bring toughness, contrasted with the softness of embellished jersey trousers which are halfway between a legging and a traditional cut. Bohemia comes from a heavily embroidered velvet jacket, while the chunky knit of a raglan sleeve sweater brings winter comfort. Accessories complete the contrasting mood, with minirings for every finger and small earrings for a punkish feel. Biker boots or flat shoes add a fresh twist, along with tassel belts, vintage-inspired bags and a velvet peak cap with leather visor.
“I’m so excited by the H&M Autumn Collection, which makes a real statement about the fun you can have with fashion. It’s got all the key pieces for this autumn, made to be mixed together to become your own. I’m so proud to have seen it on the catwalk in Paris, and I can’t wait for it to go in stores this September,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design.
SILHOUETTE: Tailored with delicate dresses and utility shapes.
COLOURS: Utilitarian shades from black and grey through khakis to off-white, metallics and shimmer from sequins,
pops of red.
FABRICS: Wool, cotton, velvet, jersey, fake fur, leather.
DETAILS: Dramatic silhouette from tailcoats and great coats, glamour from delicate sequin dresses, ceremonial and utilitarian shapes and detailing, bohemian spirit with embellished velvet, toughness of leather contrasted with softness of jersey pieces, texture from fake fur.
KEY GARMENTS: Tailcoat, sequin dress, cropped ceremonial jacket, leather jacket, leather trousers, bohemian
jacket, jersey trousers, chunky sweater, embellished shoulder piece.
KEY ACCESSORIES: Mini-rings, mini-earrings, biker boots, flat shoes, tasselled belt, vintage-style bag, velvet hat with leather visor.
Similar features are present in the autumn collections of Kenneth Cole and bebe!
