The Kenzo x H&M Lookbook Is a Celebration of Diversity

Chances are by now you’ve had at least one tiger stripe-filled glimpse at the forthcoming Kenzo x H&M collection. When designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon produce a collaborative line, they often use their creations to celebrate a pivotal fashion moment, past or present. In this case, that moment is the diversity upswing.

Today, the brands released the full Olivier Hadlee Pearch-lensed Kenzo x H&M lookbook and the theme of diversity is evident not only in the eclectic cast of characters modeling the collection, but in the clothes themselves.

Lim and Leon tapped a throng of cool creatives — don’t worry, we won’t call them “real people” — to model their statement-making menswear and womenswear looks. Writer and activist Amy Sall, shutterbug Youngjun Koo, artist and DJ Juliana Huxtable (yet another transgender woman killing it in the entertainment industry), musician and performance artist Oko Ebombo, LOVE magazine editor Harriet Verney, makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench, musician Anna of the North, model and rapper Le1f and professional models Mae Lapres, Hao Liu, Selena Forrest, Tom Gaskin, Julia Banas and Pierre Painchaud all stepped before Pearch’s camera.

The clothes beyond complement this talented cast. The eternally fashion-forward creative directors have given us a range that’s full of Spring 2017’s greatest hits — print collisions, voluminous sleeves, ruffles galore, unconventional bags, paperbag-waist pants — alongside various cross-cultural pieces.

Amy Sall for Kenzo x H&M; Image: Oliver Hadlee Pearch/H&M

In one shot, Sall stuns in a floor-length dress that serves serious Frida Kahlo vibes, if you ask us. It’s not your typical Tehuana dress, but the combination of geometric patterns and floral motifs solidify the reference.

Image: Oliver Hadlee Pearch/H&M

Another poly-printed A-line frock bears unmistakable Russian influences, its ruffled shoulder accents evoking traditional Zhostovo-style dresses. And then, of course, you get your reimagined kimonos, because (polka-dotted) pajama dressing. This is diversity at its finest.

Image: Oliver Hadlee Pearch/H&M

Click through the slideshow below to see all of the modern bohemian dresses, seasonless separates, winter-appropriate wares and futuristic accessories on their equally artistic hu-mannequins. Then agonize over which items to shell out for once the collaboration hits H&M’s stores and ever-crashing site November 3.

All Images: Oliver Hadlee Pearch/H&M

[ via Fashionista ]