Go on. Take a few seconds just to absorb that heading. “Versace”……”for”……”H&M”. And yes, I know, I know it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. A few years ago, the idea of top-end designer collaborating with a mass market retailer would have been enough to make the fashion industry collectively screw up their weary eyes and reboot their Macs in disbelief.

Designer High Street Collaborations

These days, it’s about as regular occurrence as Lady Gaga changing her hair style. The diffusion lines so beloved of the likes of Debenhams have been obliterated by the most surreal of collaborations: Lanvin for H&M, Jil Sander for Uniqlo, Valentino for Gap and Missoni for Target.  It’s a bizarre turn of events, but exciting all the same, and entirely sensical given the double economic dip (triple, quadruple) it seems we’re in. Demand for designer names is as high as it ever was, but with the added clause of a low price tag. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at one of the most recent high end/mass market marriages: Versace for H&M.

Versace for H&M

It’s been a while since the union was announced and anticipation reached a fever pitch in the lead up to the unveiling. It was the collection that very nearly didn’t happen, but allegedly after seeing the success of the Lanvin and Jimmy Choo lines for H&M, Donatella was swayed. Launching explosively in a clatter of hot pinks and their infamous palm prints, the line has already made hundreds of headlines all over the world. But, is it actually any good?

Donatella herself said she wouldn’t have signed off on the clothing unless it met her exacting standards, so let’s take a closer look at the pieces and see for ourselves, shall we?

The Collection

First impressions are that this is absolute classic Versace. It’s the patterns, colours and prints that spring to mind when you hear the name. It’s a little bit like a greatest hits album: crowd pleasing, all the popular tracks, skimming over some of the more unusual, inventive bits, and a little cheaper than buying a proper album. Having tortured that analogy to death, what exactly does that mean? It means the infamous Jennifer Lopez palm print is back in. Golds and burning pinks, loud turquoises, a virtual pack of leopards leap across almost neon hues. There are more studs here than an evening with the Chippendales (if improbably smooth, bronzed chests are your thing).

Versace for H&M

There’s no denying that it’s an impressive collection. The attention to detail alone is stunning. For the prices charged, you’re getting an awful lot of ‘bang for your buck’, as the expression goes. The detailing on the leather jackets is extraordinary, and some of the prints are breath stoppingly beautiful.

Versace for H&M

That said, I can imagine that a mini dress with a whole sea of embellishment might walk the line between ‘fun’ and cheap, depending on the quality of the fabrics used. To find out, we’ll all just have to wait until November 17th, when the collection launches in 300 stores, and online. Ultimately, it’s a very clever collection, well plotted and potentially very well executed. Actually getting your hands on it, however, might be another matter completely.