Finally, there is Marant
H&M brings the French "Carelessly Chic" designer's togs to Bangkok
Shoppers in Thailand have endured a lengthy wait for a chance to buy the gorgeous but reasonably priced clothing that hot Parisian designer Isabel Marant makes for H&M. The wait is now over, with a cool collection recently arriving at the H&M boutique at CentralWorld.
Marant’s signature style – a mix of bohemian flair and masculine tailoring – is evident in the collection of clothes and accessories for women, teenagers and, in a first for Marant, for men as well.
“I’m flattered by this collaboration with H&M,” she says. “H&M works with the best designers and this invitation was an exciting honour.” Marant says she set out to create “something real, that women could wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian”.
“You dress up but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude. Everything can be mixed following one’s own instinct. My take on fashion is all about personality.”
H&M creative adviser Margarete van de Bosch says the firm was just as thrilled to have Marant as a partner. “The way she mixes different elements, creating a style that is affordable and urban, makes her very contemporary.
“She has a fantastic eye for detail and the rare ability to create something that people really want to wear. We are sure the H&M customers will be enthusiastic about this collection.”
As Bosch expected, the collection’s unveiling in Bangkok a few weeks ago drew celebrities, stylists and all the fashion magazines.
The collection is an eclectic mix of boho elegance and rock ’n’ roll nonchalance. The tailoring on the coats and jackets produces strong shoulders and cocooning cuts alongside skinny trousers and sweatshirts, loose blouses, floating dress and textured snits.
There are tie-dye prints on trousers and blouses and Wild West piping on the lean trousers. Skinny and cropped leather trousers have an assertiveness that is softened by loop-knit pieces.
Playful looks adorn the togs for teenagers, and men will love the precise tailoring and heavy knits, the leather motorcycle trousers matched with tie-dye T-shirts and the western-style jeans and tops, including a hooded sweatshirt.
Knitted scarves and beanies, rocket boots, printed trainers, sailor caps and beaded belts punctuate the men’s wardrobe.
Concrete-jungle tones of black, charcoal and grey are brightened by touches of white and red. The tie-dye prints and jacquards give colours a melting quality. The clothes are made of wool, canvas, jersey and leather.
The accessories too have bohemian accents. Marant’s beaded chains, skinny scarves and long metal belts mix with bangles, bracelets and earrings. The footwear includes cone-heel soft boots and very Parisian high-heel pumps.
Born and raised in Paris, Marant started customising her own clothes while still at school. A graduate of the famed Studio Bercot, she worked her way up from a jewellery line to knitwear, finally launching her debut collection in 1994. Today she has boutiques of her own around the world.
