After much ado about the Balmain x H&M collection since it was first announced, Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing isn’t done teasing us all just yet. Just like a bomb that dropped, the first look of the campaign was released via Instagram and posted by none other than Olivier himself on his personal account. Front and center in the campaign are glitter–studded Balmain favorites Kendall Jenner, Jourdan Dunn, and Gigi Hadid.
Tagged as #HMBalmaination on social media, three images of the campaign serve as a preview of the collection. You might have guessed it right: It’s very Balmain—couture-like and high-octane glamour. From what was released, three key trends already surfaced: a black and white collection as represented by the fully beaded blazer on Gigi and a mini dress donned by Jourdan and ‘80s with metallic pieces all over and that signature Balmain cinched waist look on Kendall. The last was a military-inspired theme with metal-encrusted belts and heavily embellished separates. Joining the three girls are two male models Hao Yun Xiang and Dudley O’Shaughnessy. Yes, boys, Olivier didn’t forget about you.
The 29-year-old designer puts his own meaning to his caption “squad goals” as he says in a statement “H&M allows me the unique possibility of bringing everyone into the world of Balmain, get a piece of the dream and create a global #HMBalmaination: a movement of togetherness, fuelled on a hashtag.”
This is the 14th H&M designer collaboration, and it’s a welcome addition to its strong lineup of collabs (from its first designer Karl Lagerfeld in 2004, to Lanvin in 2010, with the most recent being Alexander Wang last year). The price points of the collection can hike up to around P30,000. But don’t worry, some pieces like the accessories might still fall within the P1,000 to P5,000 range.
The Philippines is lucky enough to take part in this release as the collection hits more than 250 stores worldwide and online on Nov. 5. So better get ready with your shopping list as, exaggeration aside, the collection will be gone in a matter of minutes.
Click the slideshow above for the full preview campaign!
[Telegraph]Photos courtesy of H&M