H&M presents the latest drop in its Innovation Stories initiative, an all-eyes-on-me collection that explores the blurring boundaries between our online and offline lives, and blends the craftsmanship of high fashion with the fantasy of virtual wardrobes. The H&M Innovation Metaverse Design Story collection will be on sale in selected stores and online at hm.com from 8 December.
Taking inspiration from the immersive potential of the Metaverse as well as the tactile beauty of the physical world, the ready-to-wear collection invites self-expression and explores sustainability in three dimensions. The first comprises the stand-out womenswear and menswear looks and a series of accessories designed with circularity in mind. The second sees multiple pieces available as part of a rental programme in selected H&M stores. Then there is the third dimension, the digital collection, co-designed and crafted by H&M and the Institute of Digital Fashion, the London-based digital atelier and thinktank.
Key pieces from the physical collection blend eye-catching silhouettes with intricate embroidery and an internet-breaking colour palette. For women, a corset-waisted, neon-yellow dress with a dramatic tulle skirt dominates the spotlight. For men, an oversized black beaded bomber jacket offsets relaxed tailoring. In accessories, women’s wrap-around metallic sandals spiral to the thigh, while futuristic jewellery for men and women takes its cues from liquid metal that looks as though it’s been plumped by pixels. The more-is-more styling has been brought to life by Ibrahim Kamara, creative advisor to H&M for this project.
Circularity is a key focus for the collection. Several pieces feature recycled polyester fibres made entirely out of old garments and textile waste collected in partnership with H&M’s garment-collection programme in stores. One form-fitting dress in the collection has been made using a zero-waste pattern cutting process. Innovative materials including REPREVE® Our Ocean™, recycled polyester made from ocean-bound plastic bottles, comprise a faux-fur coat and jacket. After years of development, 100% recycled sequins made from plastic-bottle waste adorn two dresses, a pair of leggings and a blazer-and-skirt combination.
Five augmented reality filters, accessible via the H&M app, complete the Innovation Metaverse Design Story line-up. Designed in partnership with the Institute of Digital Fashion, the AR fashion lenses powered by Snapchat enables virtual try-on, seamlessly bringing the physical and digital worlds together and empowering customers to express themselves both IRL and online.
Dive into an immersive Metaverse experience on hm.com. This interactive virtual space, available from 1 December, celebrates the unique digital garments that were made for the collection, and gives customers a glimpse into the future, where digital art expands the expressive possibilities of fashion.
The Innovation Metaverse Design Story collection will be available on hm.com on 8th December 2022.
Read also: H&M Marks 10 Fantastic Years In Malaysia
