One of H&M‘s most celebrated collaborations made its highly-anticipated runway debut in an outstanding performance that included a surprise show from the Backstreet Boys. The show transformed a subway terminal into a star-studded runway supported by dancers who traipsed up and down the stage — a rather appropriate decision from Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, who was a dancer before taking the design route as an 18-year-old intern at Roberto Cavalli then on to assistant to Balmain‘s previous Creative Director Christophe Decarnin in 2009. “What is Balmain is what is me,” stated Rousteing at a press conference. The young designer has successfully translated Balman’s bold and edgy silhouettes into H&M’s quality and price point while managing to keep it both consistent and refreshing. The sparkle, glitz and glamour of the show is also partly owed to the onslaught of powerful names like Alessandra Ambrosio, Kendall Jenner, Joan Smalls, Karlie Kloss, Jourdan Dunn and sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid.
Sharp and sophisticated designs like structured military-inspired silhouettes, ribbed leather motorcycle jackets and double-breasted blazers are prevalent in the collection. Gem-encrusted garments with boxed shoulders, cinched waists and shiny gold buttons held rich jewel tones like emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red. It was a celebration of embellished details, which have become the hallmark of the Parisian luxury brand.
View the Balmain x H&M collection’s official lookbook and pricing list, and head to Vogue to see the women’s runway looks. The collection hits H&M stores worldwide November 5.
Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast.com
via. Hypebeast
Nike Tiempo “XX” Pack
Nike is celebrating the history of the original Tiempo with its new Tiempo “XX” pack. Composed of the Tiempo Legend V and the Tiempo ’94, the special pack offers up the shoes in the first Tiempo’s original colors of black and white. Both models have been crafted with alegria kangaroo leather and feature small pops of color to reflect today’s players. Further nodding at the twenty year history of the original model, each shoe comes complete with “XX” embroidery on the heels. Limited to just 500 pairs, the pack is available now from Nike.
Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast.com