I feel this whole movement of dumbing down luxury couture for the masses feeds into our sense of entitlement and “have to have” mentality, the same one that has us feeling like we shouldn’t have to save for a vacation or a home, that we should have what we want when we want…the same mentality, I might add, that led us straight into the current sad economic state we’re in. The truth is, a Lanvin is not a Lanvin if everyone has one. That’s the whole point of luxury. It’s exclusive and covet-worthy. There’s no shame in desiring something you can’t have. I do it every time I walk through Holt’s to dream and drool, scan the pages of my plethora of fashion mags, or cover runway shows at Fashion Week.
H&M has launched a brilliant marketing campaign by getting these luxury brands on board starting with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004, and following up with collections by Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Sonia Rykiel and Jimmy Choo. In the process, H&M has somehow positioned itself as a go-to for fashion afficionados, while simultaneously promoting disposable fashion and being brought up on charges of destroying perfectly useable clothing rather than giving it to those in need.
To me H&M represents a lot of what is wrong with fashion: the overconsumption, the trendspotting, the impossibly cheap price tags, which flies in the face of what many of us had hoped was the way of the future; that is, eco-friendly or sustainable fashion. At a time when our planet is in a state of high-alert and fashion has been shown to be one of the main culprits of environmental degradation, shouldn’t we be more diligent in our style choices? How is H&M making the world a better or even a more beautiful place? What am I missing that everyone else seems to see?
Lanvin for H&M images courtesy of Dressed For Dinner.
The only H&M designer collaboration that was even close to being good was Stella McCartney. Everything else was just plain blah.
I agree and Stella McCartney was the one name that came to mind for me, too. I didn’t like lumping her in with the others.
I liked Karl Lagerfeld too. In fact, I still own (and wear) several pieces from that collection.
You were lucky to get those pieces. I hear they sell out fast. I knew I risked angering readers with this post; I just feel its important to be honest about one’s thoughts. Thank you so much for adding to the discussion with your comment. I am enjoying your blog, as well. I know you also chose to give an honest opinion about the Lanvin for H&M. I linked to your blog, in fact, within my post.
i tend to disagree – i love the hM lanvin collection especially the tulle dress, faux fur jacket and the shoes. tho even if it was just plain old h&m i’d love it. tbh Kanvin isn’t 1 of my fav designers i tend 2 prefer japanese designers like issey miyake and yohji yamamoto
Thank you for your comment! I am glad you posted your viewpoint as I like to hear all sides. Do you like Sacai?
I like a total of 3 pieces out of the whole collection, I think. I can’t say I am one for all this designer dumbing down either. I don’t own anything from any of the collections they have done because I do feel they are losing their status a little. I can understand why people like it though if you are never likely to be able to afford an actual designer piece, which I never will! But if designers are available to the masses the no longer are high end designers they are highstreet which is a come down really. I actually don’t like to buy highstreet any more as I have a mental problem with hundreds of other people owning exactly the same item, so I often try to buy independent pieces or vintage.
Daisy Dayz
Hi Daisy, thanks for adding to the discussion. I, too, adore vintage for its uniqueness and the fact that it is intrinsically enviro-friendly. I’m actually going vintage shopping tomorrow for some 50s gear to wear to an event next week
I am so glad I read this post. You articulate many of the things I am thinking, but sometimes am afraid to say. In regards to the Lanvin/H&M collaboration, I am of a similar opinion that I would rather want something I could never afford (an original Lanvin) and take my chances with finding one second hand than owning a cheaply made, mass-produced monstrosity. I think and hope that articles like this get people thinking. I wrote an article earlier this week that touched on our throw-away/fast fashion culture, I’m glad to have discovered a blogger with similar thoughts.
Em K
Thank you for the supportive words. I have been afraid to say anything, too, and as mentioned held my tongue throughout the lead-up to the launch of Lanvin for H&M. I’d love to read that post you wrote and I’ve gone on and joined/subscribed to your blog as it looks really good!
Oh yeah, some things are just better off not dumbed down. It’s kind of like art. Would you rather see a painting in person or see a postcard of it? Probably in person.
I like your analogy. Good point.
SOMEBODY GETS IT!! I thought the whole fashion blogosphere has been brainwashed by this crazy debacle. Finally, a voice of reason. Lanvin is loved because it’s lush, timeless, high-quality and expensive. Putting on a piece by Lanvin is such an empowering experiment. Lanvin in H&M material is not Lanvin. It’s cheap stuff that people want to hoard so they can have the latest trends and feel good about owning something with the label.
I love your point of view and have subscribed to your blog because I’m excited to read what you have to say about anything and everything. <3
Thanks for the rave review and for subscribing! How wonderful to have a new reader and one who shares my outlook. I sweated over posting that piece as I don’t like to dwell on the negative, and it seemed to go against what EVERYONE felt, but now I’m glad I did!
Just because there is a collaboration with H&M (and some collaborate with Target in the US, i.e. Mulberry) doesn’t mean “everyone gets to have one”. In fact, is it not often the case that people line up a day in advance and hog all the good pieces so that by midday they are all sold out? Do those said pieces not get sold for hundreds of dollars on Ebay after ward? It’s still luxury because not everyone can buy it, it’s just in the middle ground now (like luxury for the poor, or the middle classes).
As for saving up for luxury…I don’t personally believe in that. I think it’s ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars for a Chanel bag when you can’t realistically afford it. I think shopaholics begin with that mentality and then discover credit cards.
Thank you for the counterpoint. You’re right; it is still aspirational simply because it sells out so fast.
I checked out some of the Lanvin H&M in person. I didn’t think I’d go for it, because Lanvin is fabulous but not my style. There was a tuxedo coat with unfinished seams, that looked crappy in person. The unfinished seams just looked very sloppy and it would disintegrate the more I touched it. There was a nice blue ruffle dress, but I’m not a cocktail dress girl, so it was kind of ehh… on me, and $200 seemed like too much for eehh… and H&M.
Though I do think designer collaborations can be good. I was impressed with Proenza Schouler for Target, which got a lot of hype, but I thought merited it. I have slouchy tees I refuse to toss and a weird blue tech-y jacket that I love. Even Norma Kamali for dare I say Wal-Mart, yes, there is a lot of crap to dig through has its gems. Which turns out a win for Wmart (a place I rarely if ever went) because I’ll go to see what they have in NK and while I’m already there I’ll buy my basic necessities.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment. You’ve given us some terrific first-hand information about the line.
wow, great post. One thing, too, is that most people need basics in their wardrobe and disposable fashion really can’t fit that need. it seems nearly impossible to find good quality, mid-priced basics these days though.
Thanks so much for reading! I’ve cottoned onto vintage shopping lately and been successful in finding lots of amazing timeless and inexpensive items.