Even Boomers Will Love The Kenzo X H&M Collection

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Kenzo is the latest designer collaboration to be launched by H&M and the limited edition collection – on sale worldwide in select H&M stores today (Nov. 3, 2016)  – features wildly clashing prints and pattern dripping in acid colours.

But before you dismiss it as clothing aimed at the young and groovy, take a closer look at some of the eye-popping items. As joyfully exuberant as the mash-up of patterns, prints and colours might seem – the actual silhouettes of the garments are rather classic and lady-like. And depending on how you style it, (we suggest wearing just one piece at a time) one might say, this is a designer collaboration from H&M that would fit right in the wardrobe of the Zoomer-aged individual, whose sartorial spirit includes a penchant for a statement-making garment.

And it would appear that the Swedish retailer and the design duo behind the Kenzo label, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, was also feeling this colourful collection could transcend age.

The campaign for Kenzo x H&M features an array of personalities from fashion, music, arts and activism and includes the 61-year-old model/entrepreneur/philanthropist and wife of the late David Bowie, Iman. There is also actress Chloe Sevigny, 41, and composer and musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, 64. Even the photographer behind the campaign is of a certain vintage; the legendary art director, Jean-Paul Goude, 75. The ads mimics the slice-and-dice style of some of his most iconic images, notably, early album covers for Grace Jones.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design, explained in an interview the reasons behind the decidedly diverse cast. “We wanted to feature talents whose personal style is more than just their looks, who stand for something and have a message and come from different places from all over the world.”

Not unlike the founder of the Kenzo brand back in 1970. Designer Kenzo Takada moved from Japan to Paris, where he started the label – a fusion of his Japanese style with European tailoring mixed with the casual vibes of the streets. The label was renowned for their jungle motifs. Today, the fashion brand is owned by LVMH and the design duties are helmed by Americans Leon and Lim.

The duo have said in interviews that this special H&M collection is a mixture of influences from pieces in the Kenzo archives (like the peasant dress) and from their own collections. But each piece is unique to the collaboration, making it highly desirable and will most likely be sold out.

H&M, the Swedish retailer with stores across the globe was one of the first companies who practically invented the concept of designer collaborations back in 2004 when they launched a collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld that sold out in seconds. Following the retail frenzy, they followed up each year since with blockbuster collections from celebrated fashion brands such as Stella McCartney, Versace and Alexander Wang.

We browsed the entire Kenzo X H&M collection and selected the pieces we think Boomers will love. Scroll through the slide show below.

Dress, $299, at select H&M stores across Canada and online at h&m.com

Silk blouse, $99, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com

Blouse, $79.99, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com

Silk top, $79.99, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com

Kimono style coat, $349, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com

Coat, $249, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com

Leather gloves, $99, at select H&M stores and online at h&m.com