The Secret's Out

Since H&M confirmed back in September that the trend-conscious superstore would be doing a collaboration with Lanvin, fashionistas everywhere have been waiting on pins and needles for a peek at the collection. As if I wasn't excited enough for this collaboration, the just-released video and full lookbook have put me over the edge.

The Lanvin Hearts collection delivers the luxurious aesthetic that the illustrious design house is famous for. Pricing runs the gamut, with tights for $9.95 and an evening coat for $350.

By now, designer/mass-market collaborations are an established facet of the fashion landscape, with stores like Target and H&M at the forefront, offering bargain items from high-end designers such as Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Mulberry, and Jimmy Choo. But there's a few special things about Lanvin for H&M. Most unique about this collection is that it offers head-to-toe looks. Alber Elbaz, the man behind this iconic label, has designed a wide variety of items for the Lanvin Hearts collection, including lipstick, shoes, sunglasses, tights, and gloves, in addition to dresses, coats, tees, vests, jackets, and blouses. Lanvin for H&M also includes men's clothing, which I predict will be an unprecedented success. Men have mostly been ignored in the designer-for-less scene, and I believe that they will be just as (well, maybe almost as) thrilled to get their hands on this collection as women.

Another thing that's obviously different about this collection as opposed to other designer collaborations is that the clothing is less ready-to-wear, and more conceptual. Not that the pieces are haute couture by any means, but they do look more like authentic, high-end designer items than clothing from other designer collaborations, which often tend to have a pared-down, even knock-off appearance.

So, are you looking for a head-turning party dress? If so, you'll find it here. But clothing you can wear to the grocery store? Perhaps not.

On second thought, go ahead, wear Lanvin's huge ruffles and neon colors to class. The fabulous thing about dressing, especially with clothing like this, is how you make these pieces all your own.