Marni at H&M - Cashmere, Silk and Leather for an Eclectic, Quirky and Timeless Collection

During a grey rainy day in Milan, a visit to the H&M showroom where the presentation of Marni at H&M was held, brought some sun in my day. For sure the prints and colors of the collection inspire the spring desire we all have in this time of the year. 
I had already presented you the Marni at H&M Lookbook, and the first reactions to the collection came via facebook, twitter and emails. We all agree that the prints are not for everyone. But to those who told me that they wouldn't dare to risk a look with Marni prints, I say that this is the occasion to try to get the look at an accessible price and start experimenting with prints for Spring 2012.
What I first noticed when the first official communications came regarding this collection was the materials used to realize every piece. Leather shoes, patent leather tops, and silk scarves. In the man collection also high quality cashmere can be found on the blouses. 
Ready to get in the line at 5am at your closest H&M on March, 8?
Also note that the Rules of Shopping the collection are out.


The collection is compact, the mood individual. Everything goes with everything. Items can be assembled and reassembled in a variety of outfits according to personal instinct and will; suggesting an innovative approach to dressing up. The intersection of sportiness and sophistication is a defining trait. 


For women, essential pieces such as loose dresses, shirts and tops become playgrounds for inventive associations of prints and textures. Well-defined summer coats and slender jacket-and-skirt ensembles add a quirky ladylike note, which is immediately toned down by the relaxed ease of the parkas and sporty zip-up blousons. Knits have a constructivist feel: silk-front cardigans sport a knitted back, just like patent leather zip-up tops. Short pajama suits and stripey leggings used as underpinnings have a graphic charm. Lilac gold brocade is treated as a sporty fabric on looks that reinvent the definition of day to night.

The color palette is pragmatic, with unexpected ruptures. In the women’s collection, notes of black, dark gray, navy blue, olive fatigue green and khaki are interspersed with flashes of rust, orange and gold.  

Accessories add another element of eclectic playfulness. Marni’s signature elastic waistbands define the silhouette with a quick gesture. Sequined shirt collars are used as necklaces. Jewels made of zyl, resin and rhinestones have sculptural phytomorphic shapes; Deco-inspired resin bracelets can be piled on the arm. 


Footwear includes flat explorer sandals for men and women, wooden-platform open-toe slingbacks and metallic pumps with wooden soles and a stack heel for women and basic tennis shoes for men. 


Bags have well-defined shapes and come in printed fabrics, leather or shiny plastic. An oversized tote for men is sophisticatedly utilitarian. Printed foulards, straw hats, explorer caps and socks all add a dash of quirkiness. Printed and child-like appliqué t-shirts complete the look. 

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements,” says Consuelo Castiglioni. Founder and Creative Director.

“We all love the collection here at H&M and we believe that our customers will feel the same way. Marni has such a modern touch with everything they do, mixing prints and accessories in a playful but chic way. It’s fantastic to see how Consuelo Castiglioni coordinates her designs, matching new combinations of prints and colors, with such incredible craftsmanship behind every piece. The collection will arrive in stores at just the perfect time. as the collection will truly prove to be a lovely statement for spring,” comments Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor for H&M. 

Marni for H&M Men Collection

The men collection as well carries the well-defined ease of the collection. Parkas are slim and playfully utilitarian; formal suits come either with long pants or Bermuda shorts. Plays of intarsia and prints gives new meaning to wardrobe staples such as shirts and knits and Marni’s striped men’s sweaters come in luxurious cashmere. Pops of color on a sleeve, or in the lining add a dash of the unexpected, while matching shirts and shorts have a sense of loungewear. A hint of workwear recurs throughout as well. Colors for men are shown in black, deep blue and khaki are accented with peaks of light or electric blue, orange and crimson red. 

Thanks to the H&M Italian Press Office for an amazing morning sorrounded by the beautiful Marni at H&M Collection while having a delicious breakfast.

Posted in: HM,MARNI,MARNIatHM,SPRING SUMMER 2012,The Dolls Factory