I just came across a preview of the much awaited collaboration between street-low H&M and high fashion artist Rei Kawakubo. It looks impressive and has key signatures such as the alternative fabrics on sleeves and bold patterns (polka ensemble).
The high-low combo is however rather pale and insipid when contrasted directly against Comme Des Garcons current line for men (Homme Plus).
If there is a lesson to be learnt here, it is to tread carefully with collaborations. Collaborations promise the serendipitous explosions of emergent creativity on the one hand, and the plain and simple dilution of substance and style on the other.
