HOW TO STYLE  PRINT AND TULLE VIA THE KENZO X H&M COLLAB

Fancy wearing clothes as fierce as you are? Get your digits ready for some serious finger banging – some of the best pieces of  the Kenzo x H&M collab are still available – you just have to know where to look. Depop and Ebay are two of my favourite ways to shop designer/high-street collaborations. The hype has mellowed a little now the since Kenzo x H&M collab hit the stores so chances are sellers will be flexible on pricing.  Ebay currently has 463 items from the Kenzo x H&M collab available. Don’t just consider the women’s items of clothing – the men’s collection has some seriously fierce, fluffy fleeces and jackets with an androgynous leaning.

THE KENZO X H&M CAMPAIGN DIRECTED BY JEAN-PAUL GOODE WAS A MASTERCLASS IN DIVERSITY

Unlike last year’s Balmain x H&M collection which was inspired by the Kardashians and the Hadids, the Kenzo x H&M collab is very much the purview of the cool-girl club. Designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon executed a fun campaign with the ultimate it-girl Chloe Sevigny just one of the achingly hip stars to wear the collection. The fashion show was a lesson in runway innovation: A group of male dancers, dressed all in green mounted on a two-tiered step performed a repetitive movement underscoring the models walking on in a languid, rhythmic sequence. Never one to shy from drama, the music segues from languid to techno and back to a solo rhythmic performance from a clan of yellow-clad drummers. I could take a lesson from the models – I don’t know how they managed to dance in those sky-high heels! The highlight of the runway show was a ‘Siege of Ennis’ inspired under-the-arch movement. I wonder if Michael Flatley was a consultant on the choreography!

LET THE PRINT DO THE TALKING

I love the ethnic print in the Kenzo x H&M collab but the dress cost a hefty €500. This top, however, was the next best thing. At €70, it wasn’t cheap but it’s such a statement piece. I’m wearing it here over a Silence & Noise dress I got in Urban Outfitters but it would look equally amazing with some leather trousers, black skinnies or a maxi skirt. There’s loads of these tops still available on Ebay: Size 6 here, size UK 8 (listed as US 4) here and here, size UK 10 here and here, size UK 12 here, size UK 14 (listed as a US size 10, in a different print) here and size UK 16 here.

MINIMALIST OR MAXIMALIST – THE KENZO X H&M COLLAB IS VERSATILE ENOUGH TO WORK FOR BOTH

The Kenzo x H&M collab is quirky and colourful – it packs enough of a punch by itself. If you’re feeling particularly brave, look towards the runway show where it was styled with clashing prints and stripes. I’m wearing it with this long mesh dress and a slip in underneath but to give the look a high-fashion bent, wear with some high-waisted hot pants and forgo the slip. I love this style from Asos or these ones from Urban Outfitters.

To avoid the look being too girly, I grunged it up with these hard-wearing boots from River Island. They’re sold out in black but still available in burgundy and gold. They’re almost exactly the same as the iconic Balenciaga Ceinture ankle boots but a fraction of the price! Matches Fashion are currently one of the only stockists not sold out of this style.

ANATOMY OF THE SHOOT:

Styling and concept: me, photos, Neal Byrne.

Top: Kenzo x H&M.

Dress: Silence & Noise, Urban Outfitters, similar here, (€37) here, (€54) here (€172) and here (€417).

If you don’t like the sleeves underneath the top, check out these skirts that give the same effect but with bare arms.

Skirts I would style with this Kenzo x H&M top:

Style steal (less than €50)

Black with lace hem, here.

Black pleated with hem, here.

Black layered maxi skirt, here.

Mid-range (€50-100)

Splurge (€100-€200)

Lace maxi skirt, here.

Silk lace applique skirt, here.

Tulle maxi skirt, here.