H&M is launching their latest designer collaboration with the avant-garde Mugler. Hurry up before those inevitable ‘sold out’ signs start appearing

Words DOMENICO COSTANTINI 

The house of Mugler is a transformational force in the fashion world, loved for its inclusive and boundary-pushing aesthetic. Now, in partnership with H&M, Casey Cadwallader, who has lead the brand as creative director since 2018, has designed a dramatic and empowering collection that celebrates freedom, self-expression and diversity, featuring a mix of stunning new pieces and signature Mugler looks, including several archive remakes.

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Mugler H&M campaign. Courtesy of H&M.

The womenswear styles include signature Mugler oversized shoulders with a cinched waist shaping the body. Modern expression of the house codes, the spiral multi-seaming runs throughout the collection in the form of baggy jeans, nylon and denim bonded thong jeans, and jackets. Leather trench coats and jackets with an elongated scarf detailing, strong tailoring is accompanied by the illusion catsuits, leggings, cut-out bodysuits, dresses with decadent embellishments.

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Arca. Courtesy of H&M.

The menswear assortment features a collective of leather styles including trousers, blazers, and a trench coat with engraved buttons. The denim selection includes a sculpted jacket with padding that accentuates the form. Sharp tailoring can be layered with see-through flocked star prints and corseted tank tops.

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Courtesy of H&M.

The archive revival part of the collection is a tribute to Thierry Mugler’s greatest hits from the 80’s and 90’s. Each style curated by Casey Cadwallader, arrives with its own special label, featuring Thierry Mugler’s signature embodying the founder’s legacy, featuring a black velvet dress with a shaped waist, and puffed sleeves, a lace corset dress, a skirt suit with piercing details, and an acidic green tailored jacket. Accessories for this section, include boomerang-shaped earrings and a double brooch connected by a chain.

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Jerry Hall. Courtesy of H&M.

In addition, Amaarae, Shygirl, Eartheater and Arca worked with producer Ashland Mines to create an exclusive campaign anthem — a reimagined version of Stardust’s 1998 hit ‘Music Sounds Better with You’. The star-studded music video, featuring a brilliant cast of icons, artists and friends of the brand, was directed by Torso and styled by Haley Wollens

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Casey Cadwallader backstage at the making of the music video. Courtesy of H&M.

“We are proud to celebrate the legacy of Manfred Thierry Mugler with this collection,” says Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M. “We were all honoured to get to know Manfred, and it feels very special that he was involved at the initial stages together with Casey and the house of Mugler. Casey has done such an incredible job at paying homage to history, and to the archive, while making the collection totally contemporary. Under him, Mugler has become one of the most innovative and exciting houses on today’s fashion landscape.”

The Mugler x H&M collaboration
Ann-Sofie Johansson and Casey Cadwallader. Courtesy of H&M.