The grown-up high street and designer fashion collaborations we can't wait to get our hands on
Since 2004 when the late Karl Lagerfeld collaborated with H&M, we’ve grown accustomed to seeing high street brands collaborating with fashion designer.
To be honest most pass us by - we haven’t heard of the designer; they still look cheap; or they’re aimed at the youth market and are not that wearable. Then just like buses, three perfectly grown-up collaborations come along at once.
Yes, 2020 is the year of the fashion collaboration for grown-ups. Imagine beautiful prints, luxury fabrics, flattering cuts and SLEEVES. Here are four that we're most excited about...
Designer collections on the high street we're excited about
Whistles x L.F. Markey (available now)
Next up is Whistles x L.F. Markey - again not on everyone’s radar but they certainly will be after you’ve seen this. L.F. Markey is casual wear at its best, inspired by workwear and utility, and it's known for its use of bold and bright fabrics as well as a core selection of denim.
We love their signature dark indigo denim with visible white stitching, which has thankfully made it into this Whistles collection. Mixed with the beautiful pallet of pastel tones, this is dressing down at its chicest and the best thing is… it's completely ageless despite the very young-looking models sporting the goods. This will look just as cool on a seventy-year-old as it would on a twenty-something.
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SHOP NOW: Orlando dress £175 WHISTLES x L.F.Markey
SHOP NOW: Arthur trousers £95, Harris top's £55, Harley trainers £200 all WHISTLES x L.F.Marke
Prices range from £55 - £200, sizes 4-18.
John Lewis x Mother of Pearl (available now)
And finally, if your wallet can cope, John Lewis as teamed up with Mother of Pearl. The brand is another achingly cool yet wearable label that’s been rocking the fashion world since its launch in 2002.
Mother of Pearl’s aesthetic has always been a fusion of masculine and feminine ideals, with a focus on re-worked tailoring. In recent years, they have been moving to becoming fully sustainable so it feels like the perfect match to be working with John Lewis & Partners, for whom sustainability has been something of a focus of late. Eighty eight per cent of the cotton used in the John Lewis & Partners own-line collection is sustainably sourced - a 175 per cent increase on last year!
Jo Bennett, Head of Buying, womenswear says, "We are so proud of this collection, we truly believe there is nothing like this available for women on the high street right now. The partnership felt like a natural fit, both of our brands share similar values and ideals. Working alongside Amy Powney and her team, listening to their expertise and learning from their sustainable knowledge has been so important for us and we are looking forward to sharing all of this with our customers at launch. All of the pieces of the collection are designed to be loved and cherished - they really are forever pieces.”
From fluid striped shirting to polka dot maxi perfection, plus cropped indigo and cream jeans this collection is purposeless designed to be seasonless so they really will become your forever pieces.
Launched at John Lewis & Partners on 22nd April (World Earth Day). Prices ranges from £59-£179, and in sizes 8-20.
H&M X Desmond & Dempsey
H&M has also just launched a brand new collection Desmond & Dempsey, the London-based company who specialise in luxury PJs.
For their first ever women’s daywear collection, they've taken their signature prints inspired by Australia, where founders Molly Goddard and Joel Jeffery are from, and applied them to floaty dresses, casual matching sets, and gorgeous kaftans.
Think palms and botanical elements - just what we need to make us more relaxed right now...
Speaking about the new collection, founder Molly said, "We are thrilled to be launching our collaboration with H&M. It is our first time venturing outside the bedroom, so we are excited to see our prints 'in the wild'.
"We have loved working with the H&M team and have been blown away how intimate and collaborative the whole process was. We can’t wait to bring our world of languid luxury to H&M and D&D customers around the world. We hope it brings colour, joy and a sense of ease for everyone right now."
Uniqlo x JW Anderson
First up is JW Anderson x Uniqlo with a stylish and fun collection of wardrobe essentials for men, women and now for the first time, kids too!
Designed to be style staples for years to come, the collection combines Uniqlo’s LifeWear concept of producing functional, well-made and thoughtfully designed items that are both of the time and for time, with JW Anderson’s signature bold hues and quirky details.
Themed “British Country Style”, we love the London-based designer's playful take on traditional British patterns such as gingham checks and patchworks. It’s amazing how a print can instantly refresh a classic – this trucker jacket would instantly elevate even the most simple of outfits.
SHOP NOW: Jacket, £49.90, Uniqlo
This bold yellow coat has grabbed our attention too. Not only for its sunny colour and flattering belted waist, but also for its light and breathable fabric that's treated with a water-repellent coating making it the perfect cover up for spring showers – being both stylish AND practical makes this an essential buy in our eyes!
SHOP NOW: Coat, £79.90, Uniqlo
Prices for the womenswear collection start from an affordable £9.90 for accessories and go up to £79.90 for outerwear. Items are available in sizes xxs-xxl.
Anthropologie x Delpozo
You may not of heard of Delpozo but that's about to change. The Spanish ‘pret-a-couture’ house is known by the fashion world for its punchy florals, unusual pastel colour combinations and flattering feminine shapes. With Delpozo prices ranging from between £800- £4K for a dress, this collaboration certainly brings the demi-couture label into our grasp, with Anthroplogie’s prices starting at £44 for a beautifully embellished hairband, to £298 for a floral jaquard trench coat.
SHOP NOW: Hairband, Was £44, Now £32, Anthropologie
This collaboration feels like a great match because it's like a more elevated version of what Anthropologie already does really well – meaning it's grown up and wearable. The fabrics look and feel expensive too, and because Anthropologie is not ubiquitous, it feels exclusive.
There are so many pieces in this collection that can be styled in so many way. The stunning jacquard floral trench will turn heads at a wedding but will also transform a simple jeans and smart trainers look.
Want something that is classic Delpozo? A panelled swingy skirt is typical of the sculptural designs, which fit and flatter the female form. Wear with a pastel silk skirt and strappy heels for anything from wedding guest to a day at the races.
SHOP NOW: Jacquard trench, £198, Anthropologie
SHOP NOW: Godet Skirt, £120, Anthropologie
Florals not for you? We’re obsessed with this chic two-piece set. Flattering wide trousers and pin tucked sleeves mean it's the perfect outfit for any dressy occasion. It can also be worn tucked in (to highlight your waist) or out loose (to skim a tummy).
SHOP NOW: Puffed sleeve top, Was £120, Now £78.40, Anthropologie
SHOP NOW: Wide leg trousers, £98, Anthropologie
Which collaboration are you most excited to get your hands on?
Hannah Hughes is Group Fashion Editor at Future Publishing. Her work appears in woman&home, Woman, Woman's Own, and Woman's Weekly magazines. She is a fashion creative with over fifteen years of solid experience in editorial, commercial, and celebrity styling. She has an in-depth knowledge of the luxury, mid and high-street fashion sectors, which she developed over a decade spent as Fashion Director at some of the UK's most widely read women's magazines, including You Magazine and Look Magazine.
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