David Beckham–obviously not wearing his Bodywear collection here. Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images.
The two leading fast-fashion giants have some new collaborations about the launch that are sure to have an impact. First, H&M has teamed up with David Beckham to bring his bodywear collection, which is already in the works, globally available through 1,800 H&M stores. The first collection with launch on Valentine’s Day, 2012. Supposedly, according to H&M, this is the beginning of a longterm collaboration.
“Over the past year, I’ve been developing my Bodywear range with my team and I’m extremely positive about what we have designed and produced,” said David Beckham. “The final piece in the jigsaw was a retail partner who has the vision and capability to distribute these products globally. In H&M we have found the perfect partner to collaborate with going forward, I’m excited and looking forward to showcasing the range to H&M customers from February.”
“David Beckham is a true icon both of sport and style. It is incredibly exciting for H&M to be entering into a long-term partnership with him for his DAVID BECKHAM Bodywear line. It is the start of an amazing adventure for us at H&M. Valentine’s Day in 2012 is going to be a very exciting time indeed”, says Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s Head of Design.
Steps of the Uniqlo Flagship store in Paris. Photo by Label Networks.
Undercover X Uniqlo
The second interesting collaboration on the horizon is Japanese fast-fashion giant’s collaboration with Undercover, designed by the famous Jun Takahashi. This also marks the end of the J collbaortion with Jil Sanders.
The Undercover X Uniqlo collection with come out for Spring/Summer starting with the flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo, and roll-out from there. It’s expected that this will be a huge opening as fans of Uniqlo and Undercover scramble to the be the first to get their hands on what will now be an affordable masstige collection.
Undercover has been known for their unqiue designs but also collaboration with Nike. Uniqlo is also preparing to open another store on Fifth Avenue in NYC later this year.
As we’ve seen in our Youth Culture Studies from 2011, both brands/stores have become increasingly more popular among youth culture across the Unite States, making them stores to watch in the future, particularly their collaborations. Such fast-fashion chains have also challenged the fashion industry and retailing as a whole as a new generation of consumers demands more trendy pieces faster, at more affordable prices, which is something Uniqlo and H&M are known to deliver.
