Japanese design house Comme des Garcons is going to launch an affordable line at H&M stores this Fall. Following the success of other designer collection for H&M including Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney, the global fast fashion retailer is teaming with Japanese design house, Rei Kawakubo.
Both a women's and men's collection will be launched at the opening of H&M's second store in Tokyo, Japan, in the beginning of November. The launch date for other H&M markets will be a few days later.
"I have always been interested in the balance between creation and business," says Rei Kawakubo of COMME des GARÇONS. It is a dilemma, although for me creation has always been the first priority. It is a fascinating challenge to work with H&M since it is a chance to take the dilemma to its extreme, and try to solve it."
I'm waiting for the launch confirmation date to buy my plane tickets and get some high class shopping for less! If you didn't know, the highest price for a Cavalli dress was around 100 euros......that's quite a bargain!
Luxury Fashion for Less
Comme des Garcons for H&M
Trend Themes
1. Affordable Designer Collaborations - The trend of luxury fashion brands partnering with fast fashion retailers to create affordable lines presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the fashion industry.
2. Global Fast Fashion Expansion - The expansion of global fast fashion retailers like H&M into new markets, such as Tokyo, Japan, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for both the retailer and local fashion industry.
3. Balancing Creation and Business - The increasing focus on finding a balance between creativity and profitability in the fashion industry creates disruptive innovation opportunities for designers and retailers to create unique business models.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Retail - The fashion retail industry can leverage the trend of affordable designer collaborations to attract new customers and disrupt traditional luxury fashion market dynamics.
2. Fast Fashion - The fast fashion industry can capitalize on global expansion opportunities to reach new markets and disrupt local fashion industries by offering affordable fashion options.
3. Designer Fashion - The designer fashion industry has an opportunity to explore innovative approaches that balance creativity and business to create affordable lines and disrupt traditional luxury fashion segments.