H&M has commanded attention with an impressive line-up of designer collaborations over the past two decades, but its latest link up with Wardrobe.NYC (which has just launched on Hm.com) is by far its most minimalist. Where other brands offered up attention-grabbing signatures – Rabanne’s chainmail, Simone Rocha’s pearly creations and Balmain’s gold-buttoned leather jackets, come to mind – founders Christine Centenera and Josh Goot brought a more holistic mindset when they embarked on the partnership.
Shop Wardrobe.NYC X H&M, Vogue–Approved:
“We looked back at our work and distilled down what we thought were the most essential, the most timeless, yet still of the moment, that could combine to create a singular statement,” Goot said of delving into the Wardrobe.NYC archive for inspiration. True to form, the duo have created a “wardrobe” of clothes, all of which hold their own, whether worn solo or worn together – or even worn with pieces from their previous mainline collections.
The brand’s structured tailoring takes form as a pencil skirt, a power-shouldered wool coat and a relaxed suit, all able to be mixed and matched with the collection’s other considered basics. A scholarly blue shirt, bodysuits and a hoodie are among the other wardrobe foundations that make the edit. “You don’t need any more pieces than you will have in this collection, to be honest,” Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s creative advisor and head of design told Vogue of the range of elevated staples. “You can just have them on constant rotation and create new looks.”
The H&M union also inspired the brand’s founders to experiment: “We wanted to push ourselves and the brand by doing something that was, perhaps, a little unexpected,” Centenera, who has been embedded in the fashion industry as editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia and as an esteemed stylist, explained.
Loyal followers of the brand will be pleased to see new staples introduced into the Wardrobe.NYC universe. The collaboration is also sure to attract a fresh fanbase of people looking to invest in Centenera and Goot’s vision of modular dressing.
Primary examples of this directional approach include a heeled flip-flop and boot hybrid, and a structured take on a classic white T-shirt, featuring shoulder pads to create volume.
Loyal followers of the brand will be pleased to see new staples introduced into the Wardrobe.NYC universe. The collaboration is also sure to attract a fresh fanbase of people looking to invest in Centenera and Goot’s vision of modular dressing.
Ahead of its launch, Vogue’s European shopping director, Naomi Smart, had an exclusive preview of the collection at the H&M showroom. As a longtime fan of Wardrobe.NYC, she was keen to see how Goot and Centenera had translated their tried-and-tested blueprint into one of H&M’s renowned partnerships – of which she’s seen many of in her years at Vogue.
Quality has always been a priority for the brand, and it was no different when it came to partnering with H&M. The outerwear is a particular standout, rendered in a heavy fabric that ensures the angular silhouette is retained. The trousers, too, are cut in material that emphasises the baggy shape.
Keen to hear more about Naomi’s favourites? Scroll on to see what she’s buying now the collaboration is available to shop.
“Rendered in a cornflower blue with oversized utility pockets, this shirt works just as well tucked into a high-waisted skirt as it does with the matching tailoring. There are hidden removable shoulder pads, meaning you can dial up the drama, should you so wish.” — NS
“Wardrobe.NYC has long excelled at outerwear. Its signature double-breasted wool coats and trenches are some of the best on the market, so I was particularly excited to try on the version from its collaboration with H&M. The coat is beautifully weighty, with strong, sculptural shoulders. I’m wearing a medium and didn’t need to size up, since it offers an effortlessly oversized fit.” — NS
“Double denim is an everyday uniform for me, so this jacket was always going to be a hero piece. Nipped in at the waist with the slightest peplum shape, it feels flattering without being overly feminine. The jeans and miniskirt are both cut exactly as you’d expect from Wardrobe.NYC – clean and considered. I’m wearing a size 14 in the jeans, which is larger than my usual size, but I’d happily size up again to a 16 for an even slouchier fit. I’d recommend trying a couple of sizes to find the silhouette that feels most suited to you.” — NS
“I’m obsessed with these boots. Take note: a good pedicure is a non-negotiable, because everyone is going to be clocking you in these. Stretchy with a side zip, they’re super easy to slip on. In the look book, they’re mainly styled with miniskirts, but the shot of the high-waisted pencil skirt, belt and bomber jacket caught my eye.” — NS
“This suit is one of the key buys of the collection, crafted from a heavy grey fabric. As for what I’ll be wearing mine with? The black and white bodysuits, which look sleek under tailoring, are the kind of sculpting underpinnings you’ll reach for time and time again. Exactly the sort of essentials worth packing for every trip.”
“You might think you already own all of these wardrobe foundations, but it’s the subtle nuances that set them apart from others on the market. I love Wardrobe.NYC’s jigsaw puzzle approach to layering: high-cut bodysuits, cropped hoodies and low-slung jeans peeking out beneath black tracksuit trousers are among the standouts. The approach is deceptively simple, but every piece offers a point of interest.” — NS
