Comme des Garçons for H&M launch, Tokyo

Roberta Jenkins

The frenzy that greeted the opening of the second H&M store in Tokyo last Friday wasn’t so much of a scrum but a polite jostle of Japan’s favourite models, stylists and general fashionista crowd that could get their hands on a ticket.

see more images from outside and inside the party

The dual purpose opening, teaming the brand new Harajuku store by Jun Mitsui Architects with the launch of Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons range for H&M, had people camping out overnight to be first in the queue for Comme’s capsule pieces, officially on sale from the 8th.

Trademark polka dots have been translated into tasty little twin-sets, plimsoles, bowling bags and wallets; and jersey fabrics into easy asymmetric garments. Coats and separates included classic men’s shirts with twists of colour, and suits with subtle buttonhole detailing and skewed patterns. For the ladies we’ll take the pinstriped jacket. All this topped off with a deliciously expensive smelling, limited edition unisex fragrance.

Gorgeous fabrics, sharp design and clever tailoring, all of which are undeniably Kawakubo, single this out as one of the most covetable collaborations H&M have launched so far.

The range launches in the rest of the world on November 13th

10 November 2008 | Fashion