We’re all for designer collaborations, especially when they highlight talented visionaries from the Middle East. When news dropped of the Beirut-based designer Sandra Mansour’s collaboration with H&M, we knew we were in for something truly special. As the first Arab designer to collaborate with H&M, she is bringing local Lebanese craftsmanship and creativity to the limelight.
The eponymous brand is renowned its dreamy and daring aesthetic — beautifully juxtaposing femininity with modern edginess. “The first things you notice about Sandra Mansour’s designs are their dreamy qualities and sheer beauty, but then you get further drawn into the craftsmanship, the storytelling, and the modern youthfulness. There’s also something empowering about femininity. We’re proud to be collaborating with such a trailblazer and look forward to launching the collection worldwide!” says Maria Östblom, head of design womenswear at H&M.
Inspired by strong female artists and the beauty of nature, the collection features intricate designs in a muted color palette, where handcrafted details like edgy ruffles and layers of romantic fabrics create a youthful, empowering look. The Sandra Mansour x H&M collection will be available at kw.hm.com as well as in selected stores from 27 August.
Sandra Mansour established her fashion house in 2010 and her attention to detail and craftsmanship, mixed with inspiration from art and her surroundings in Beirut, shines through in all her designs. For the Sandra Mansour x H&M collection, the designer draws inspiration from elements of nature and female artists such as Toyen, Dorothea Tanning, Lena Leclercq, and Bibi Zogbé.
The result is a feminine and strong range of dresses, blouses and skirts, a tailored blazer, and a printed T-shirt and hoodie. Fit-and-flare shapes and ruffled hems are mixed with voluminous and statement details in an earthy color palette of mushroom greys, ivory, and black. The beauty of this collection is that it’s completely fluid, where several pieces could be worn together to create an unforgettable ensemble, or you can take one piece and style it based on your preference. Consider the ethereal Wind Skirt styled with an edgy denim jacket or the Amata Wrap Dress worn to a special occasion. Match the Summer Shirt with the playful Union Skirt for an edgy look.
The collection crosses over from day to night flawlessly, as flexibility in style was deeply rooted in Mansour’s design ethos when it came to this collaboration. That’s the beauty of working with daring designers like Mansour, who is renowned for her dreamy ready-to-wear evening dress collections. When it came to bringing her vision to the high street, she made sure that each piece has a purpose.
Lest we forget the collection’s spectacular array of accessories! Bold and maximalist, they bring Mansour’s artistic vision to life. The gold, oversized sunflower earrings are a vision to behold, the geometric rings offer a beautiful contrast to the soft, flowy fabrics of the collection, and we’re obsessed with the oversized, chain headband.
Sandra Mansour regularly names each of her collections and considers this a long-time design tradition. This special collaboration is entitled Fleur du Soleil, inspired after she became fascinated with the way a sunflower follows the sun from day into night. Dot, floral and sunflower motifs enrich sheer, delicate fabrics and emphasize the attention to detail of each piece, while the feminine silhouettes exude power and an urban edge. Two clear themes are pervasive throughout this womenswear and accessories collection, surrealism and nature.
“The inspiration for the H&M collaboration was nature and natural elements. Especially the sunflower, which represents the cycle of life, and its dependency on sun and light. Poetry and painters inspired the selection of fabric – the dark laces, jacquards, and embroidered organza. With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now.”
Sandra Mansour, CEO, and designer.
Her message couldn’t ring more true, as life as we’ve known it is entirely different, and we all need a message of hope to move forward.
Mansour considers art and self-expression as an outline for her creation process. And this is a recurring theme for the designer, referencing poets, writers, and when it comes to this collaboration, it is Lena Leclercq’s writings which have struck a strong chord with Mansour. Also beautifully presented in this collection is the sunflower motif, whether dotted, florally printed, or evoked in textural fabrics, in turn, commemorating Bibi Zogbé’s paintings which can be found throughout her homeland of Lebanon. In an interview with Arabia5am, Mansour stated that “Her dreamy and romantic representation of home is an ode, with a constant ability to inspire.”
We’ve got our eyes firmly set on that black ruffled hem skirt and sheer shirt combo, and we can’t wait to see the rest of the collection! Mark your calendars, as you don’t want to miss this!
Visit H&M for the latest updates and check out Sandra Mansour on Instagram.
