H&M's New Model-Off-Duty Collection (and a $200 Spring Shopping Spree)

Top models Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen pose for the H&M New Icons pre-summer campaign - photos courtesy H&M

With street style shooters lurking around every corner, today's top models need to look killer both on the runway and off.  For its latest collection, H&M has partnered up with the world's top supermodels to create a range of eclectic, rocker-chic pieces inspired by the models' own off-duty style.  Joan Smalls, Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Liu Wen front the gorgeous campaign which recalls another famous supermodel shoot from the '90s. Love!

The collection features a mix of tough-luxe leather, boho dresses and statement tees plus everyday (Supermodels: They're Just Like Us!) cotton vests and tees.  Since no top model would leave her apartment wihout the perfect extras, the range includes tasseled bags, cool fringed leather necklaces, suede knee-high boots and a wide-brimmed hat. I have to say that this is my favourite H&M collection yet - I'm dying for the leather jacket, that festival-ready frilly lace mini and that insanely cool black embellished vest. Want everything! The New Icons collection will be available in all H&M stores carrying the Everyday concept starting April 11th.

To help you shop, H&M is offering an exclusive contest to RLR readers (that's you!) with a chance to win a $200 SHOPPING SPREE at H&M! Here's how to win it:

1) Leave a comment below telling me your must-have piece from the collection.

2) For a bonus entry, tweet the following, "I want to #win a $200 Shopping Spree w @realliferunway & @hmcanada to shop the New Icons Collection! Check it out http://bit.ly/15zSsEc'

3) Contest closes next Thursday, March 28th at 5 p.m. 

GOOD LUCK! XX

Check out the full collection by clicking through the slideshow below:

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H&M Goes Hollywood with Conscious Exclusive Collection

Photos courtesy H&M

Though awards season is behind us, the warm weather ahead gives us plenty of reasons to party, from prom to weddings to chic soirées. Luckily, H&M has us covered with its new Conscious Exclusive Collection full of glam red carpet-ready dresses and suits.  As with previous Conscious efforts by H&M, this collection is made up of clothing and accessories (for both men & women) made from more sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, recycled polyamide and Tencel, so you can do good while looking good. Win. Win.

Loaded with thoughtful details, the collection features dramatic gowns and sharp tailoring for women, and suits with a rock-and-roll edge for men. I'm particularly smitten with the women's off-white 3-piece suit, the black Balmain-esque dress with the white sculptural ruffle (NEED this), the white lace hi-low gown, and that frothy soft green number. Pretty, right? 

The Conscious Exclusive collection ranges between $19.95 and $399 and will be available in around 140 stores worldwide starting April 4th.

 

 

Click on the thumbnails below to check out the whole collection: 

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H&M Goes Western/Tropical (Wopical?) for Spring '13

Each time I walk into an H&M preview, I'm terrified.   I chant this silent mantra to myself (Stay Focused. Resist Tempt. A. Tion. Walk Away) and yet every time, I get sucked in.  Let's face it, I was screwed from the start; Greeted with a big fat pineapple the moment I stepped in the room, the welcoming insignia permeated much of the spring collection, then happily kicked me out the door with a pineapple-embossed all-white press kit. Damn chic Swedes. 

Here's the problem - H&M is just way too tempting.  Sure, it's all super affordable but you add up a $24.95 here and a $9.99 there and then all of a sudden, you're loaded down with 30 pieces you don't really need and a credit card bill that feels the pain.  Then they throw in these collabs with worldwide connoisseurs of chic (up next: Maison Martin Margiela) and before you know it, half of your paycheque has gone straight to the hallowed halls of Hennes & Mauritz.

Addictive qualities aside, you really can't help but love them.  For spring, the collection was rife with tropical influences, from pineapple emblazoned shirts to boho-esque sunbleached dresses.  Artisanal embellishment packed the collection with loads of personality, in the form of a a patchwork brocade jacket and a fiery Spanish red tassel skirt and  that I wanted to grab off the mannequin and do a little flamenco with.   Then, there was the Isabel Marant influence - cowboy ankle booties, embossed leather jackets and a to-die-for laser-cut gilet.

Smitten. Kitten.  Take a look for yourself.  Then, click away on the thumbnails at the bottom to see all the looks from H&M's Spring '13 Lookbook.   Happy Fridaaayy!! Yay! x

Love (LOVE) this tasseled mini. So cool, so pretty! 

They had me at 'canapé'.  The best part? Nobody else eats at these things so I get everything. Mwah ha haaa

H&M's showroom. This is where all the temptation goes down.

The girls (minus 1) behind Beckerman Bite Plate with H&M's Emily Scarlett..

...and their beyond cute Pomeranian pooch, Cubby.  Woof!

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