Are you ready for The #HMBalmaination?
If you’re anything like us, you love fierce fashion and the drama that comes along with it. Today marks the arrival of #HMBalmaination day — a day we've been eagerly awaiting since the initial hype that was strategically created at the Billboard Music Awards back in May. Creative director Olivier Rousteing hit up the star-studded event with models Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn. The models made quite the impact, dressed in power-packed pieces from the collection, making the marketing ploy the first glimpse of the collaboration.
Photo Credit: Larry Busacca/BMA2015/Getty Images for dcp
Since then, we were hooked, living off the clever buzz campaign that followed all across social media and print. The second teaser showcased the first campaign image with "It" girls Gigi Hadid and Kendal Jenner.
Photo Credit: Mario Sorrenti for H&M
Next came the full lookbook of the collection on hm.com, comprising both men and women's apparel and accessories.
If that wasn't enough to get us hooked, the team pulled out all the stops for an elaborate fashion show pre–launch date that brought a star-studded catwalk with models such as Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn, Alessandra Ambrosio and Joan Smalls.
Alessandra Ambrosio walks the runway at the Balmain x H&M show in NYC, October 20. 2015.
Photo Credit: H&M
And the entertainment factor came to a climax when the Backstreet Boys make a surprise appearance at the runway show.
All of this led to this exciting moment — November 5, 2015 — the arrival of H&M’s latest designer collection with the luxury Parisian fashion house Balmain.
Renowned for knock-out embellishments, embroideryt and strong-shouldered silhouettes that combine to create the cool Balmain style sought after by celebrities and drooled over by fans, 30-year-old Olivier Rousteing has captured a new movement in fashion known as the Balmain lifestyle.
“When you wear Balmain, you feel powerful, like a warrior of the world,” says Rousteing, creative director of Balmain. “Balmain is about traditions and techniques, but it is also about youth and the new generation.”
The collaboration with H&M allows the Balmain lifestyle to be more accessible to the masses and, according to H&M, "Balmain signatures of craftsmanship, strong silhouettes and covetable fabrics" are exactly what fans can look forward to with this limited-time collection.
The collection is broken down into sections.
Women
Jewel tones, where you'll find rich emeralds, ruby reds and tourmalines.
Sequined Emerald dress: $499 CDN
Warrior armour fit for the bold in an array of exquisite beading.
Beaded Blouse, $499 CDN
Green Revolution, because making them envious is your favourite pastime.
Black n Whites, which add a dose of yin and yang to the feminine ensemble.
Dress, $699 CDN
Fur & Leather, the perfect combo for a little attitude.
Faux Fur Bomber, $149 CDN
Satin & Velvets, adding that touch of chic.
Shirt Jacket, $119 CDN
Men
Biker Jean, $119 CDN
The Power Player for the guy who is always in control.
Wool Jacket with shawl collar, $349 CDN
Rugged, the fella who is all about no-nonsense.
Leather Biker Jacket, $349 CDN
Black n White, no description necessary.
Knit Jumper, $69.99 CDN
Military Mode, where forest green is your only uniform.
Double Breasted Coat, $299 CDN
Swagger, because you know you can pull it off.
Velvet Blazer, $199 CDN
The limited-time collection that released in select H&M stores at 8:00 this morning is expected to sell out fast. As a precaution for unhappy customers unable to purchase, the retailer has placed a cap on the amounts you can buy. Purchases are limited to no more than two items per product.
#HMBalmaination is available online and in 260 H&M stores worldwide.
Main Image Photo Credit: Mario Sorrenti via usmagazine.com
Product Images courtesy of hm.com
Monika Bhondy
Author
Monika Bhondy (@monikabhondy) is one of the original editors at ANOKHI. She wore many hats through the developmental years including creating the first Holiday Gift Guide as The Style Editor, putting down the first building blocks of ANOKHI's global blog community, handling the video department and ...