Matthew Williamson brings elegance and grace to H&M – but don’t count on us being as lady like as we claw our way to every last scrap.

by Olga Barsky

When H&M collaborations with high-end designers, you’d think they were giving the stuff away. Roberto Cavalli caused jungle fever, Commes des Garcons was more like Commes des Animaux and of course everyone simply went ape shit for Karl Lagerfeld. So what then should we expect when Matthew Williamson stocks the racks with bold coloured skinny suits and dramatic sweeping skirts? In the recession, will girls still catfight to claw a dress? Will the business savvy fashionistas load up and run to e-bay? Our guess – yes and yes, and we will be right there alongside fighting down to the last hanger. Bitch – watch your back we are going in for the kill…and we’ve had plenty of practice. 

From April 23rd, Williamson’s collection will be available in 4 stores in Canada (in Toronto – Eaton Centre and Bloor West locations only).  

Inspired “by the glamour of the jet set traveler, Williamson’s pieces include all the key trends for Spring 2009. And that’s enough to get us salivating! We love everything from the peacock feather printed dress to the jumpsuit and sequined mini that looks like melting wax. However, our favourite has to be the shiny blue smoking jacket (sharpest tailoring we’ve ever seen at H&M) paired with hot pink tuxedo shirt. The combo will set your loins on fire. 

Interestingly enough, the collaboration serves as a sort of time capsule for the designer’s work to date. Many of the pieces have been reworked from Williamson’s past collections, dating back to his very first showing in 1997. And it doesn’t end there; there’s more to come! A second round of the Spring 2009 collection will be available across 29 H&M stores in Canada come May 14th. 

Matthew Williamson is a London based designer renowned for his use of vibrant colours, exotic prints and boho sensibility. He spent several seasons as the Creative Director of Emilio Pucci and counts the likes of Sienna Miller, Cat Deeley and Jade Jagger as friends and clients.