H&M's in-house design team, responsible for exclusive collections including H&M Studio, created custom looks inspired by this year's Costume Institute exhibition “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and the Gala's dress code, “The Garden of the time”. The exhibition theme inspired the brand to spend time with H&M's archives from its roots in 1947 as a small boutique in Sweden. Inspired by the optimism and ultra-femininity of fashion from the late '40s and '50s, the archives gave way to modern versions with dramatic, embellished looks in soft, romantic hues inspired by this year's theme.
Two looks from H&M's special collection archives will be seen at the new spring show, including a long peach ruffled recycled polyester dress and a pale pink dress made from organic silk, viscose and recycled polyester. Originating from H&M's Conscious Exclusive 2017 collection, the selected items serve as an industry example of the emotional connection fashion can have with the natural world. Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion will be on view to the public from May 10 to September 2 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
H&M's design team wowed at the Met Gala with custom designs inspired by 'Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion'. Celebrities like Awkwafina and Adwoa Aboah sported a stunning, modern take on the brand's archives, combining 1940s and 1950s femininity with contemporary style. Two iconic looks from H&M's 2017 collection will be on display at The Met from May 10 to September 2.
“The Met Gala is a cultural phenomenon and a time for H&M to show what we can do in terms of tailored fashion. “This year’s theme allowed us to create modern and unique designs, inspired by our company’s rich heritage, which our guests wore to stunning effect,” he says. Ann-Sofie Johansson, head of womenswear design and creative advisor at H&Mwho also attended the gala.
“My Met Gala looks are always very instinctive: I love staying on topic, but I always want to feel completely like myself and have the confidence to stand out from the rest. “We created a look to mark a very special moment in my life.” says Adwoa Aboah.
Awkwafina wore a custom gown that takes direct inspiration from an archival “Hennes” wedding dress, featuring a tulip skirt silhouette with a high slit in luxurious cream-zibeline silk. Her striking off-the-shoulder neckline is hand-embroidered with delicate daisy decoration traced with beads and rhinestones. A matching embroidered tote bag completes the look.
Paloma Elsesser wore a personalized two-piece suit with sculptural meaning. The top consists of a custom-made metallic bodice, 3D printed and electroformed in a rusty green color. Made in Los Angeles by Michael Schmidt Studios, it's adorned with 3D-printed calla lilies. The bodice is paired with a champagne silk taffeta skirt with a puff hem, worn to the hips for a relaxed effect.
Quannah Chasinghorse wore a custom creation in forget-me-not blue, its ballerina silhouette based on the explosive power of a blooming flower and its specific hue honoring the state flower of her homeland, Alaska. Her dress consists of a pure silk satin gazar with a tulle crinoline petticoat reminiscent of a bygone era of grace. Quannah chose to accessorize her look with a beaded and tufted floral belt and earrings, both made by Indigenous designer Heather Dickson of Dickson Designs.
Adwoa Aboah wore a custom two-piece creation that epitomizes contemporary femininity. The top consists of a layer of fiery red silk organza, with petal-like tulle ruffles, worn over a bralette delicately embroidered with rhinestones. It is combined with a voluminous skirt with a puffed hem in red silk taffeta, providing a modern and simple touch to this charming garment.
Hari Nef wore a custom column dress that channels old-school opulence, featuring a floor-length, cinched-waist silhouette in cream taffeta overlaid with sheer and mother-of-pearl style sequins and paillettes. The timeless romance of it is enhanced by a sweeping cream taffeta bow with a modern sheen of liquid organza, secured at the back and left to flow poetically.
Stefon Diggs wore a custom suit that exemplified relaxed tailoring, consisting of a double-breasted jacket with strong shoulders and exaggerated lapels paired with wide-leg pants. In midnight blue crushed velvet with lurex to create a flowy quality, with a deep V that reveals a bare chest, his loose silhouette combines athleticism with elegance.
Note: The content of this press release has not been edited by Fibre2Fashion staff.
Fiber2Fashion News Desk (RM)
