A First Look at the Balmain x H&M Collection

Thanks to the October 2015 issue of British GQ, we have our first look at the highly anticipated Balmain x H&M collection. Within the issue, 29-year-old Balmain creative director and French designer Olivier Rousteing delves into “his first venture onto the high street” while the magazine offers up a look at the likes of the outerwear, shirts, jeans, trainers and bags fans can expect to find in the collection — yet another perfect fusion of a luxury aesthetic and affordable pricing. Says Rousteing in the magazine:

When they first came to me late last year to ask Balmain to be involved in this collaboration I was so pleased. I love H&M and I love its vision. I couldn’t say no. I still wear H&M and I just love its global nature and the vision it brings to the world, and I think it is great to mix my vision with their huge global platform… Balmain is super-expensive so it was really a challenge. The H&M team knew this, too, but they knew what they were going for. They wanted the luxury, they wanted the sharpness of the jackets. The challenge was to make it affordable, so we changed the fabrics and techniques. We did a little less embroidery. It was a compromise but we made certain the quality was still there. It wasn’t easy for me and it wasn’t easy for them, but I think we should be proud of the result. I know there are people that love Balmain but who can’t afford it. Maybe they will never be able to afford it but now for once in their life they can have a piece of me.

The full story can be found over at British GQ‘s website. The Rousteing-designed Balmain x H&M collection is due out both in select H&M stores and online November 5.