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Alber Elbaz for Lanvin has created a terrific, very complete and very desirable collection for H&M, the latest in the Swedish…

Alber Elbaz for Lanvin has created a terrific, very complete and very desirable collection for H&M, the latest in the Swedish giant’s collaboration with top designers that started in 2004 with Karl Lagerfeld.

This one, primarily about dresses, carries Lanvin’s unmistakable signature; the colourful femininity and playfulness evident in everything, from energetic print mini dresses to one-shouldered affairs in purple or pink, along with zany T-shirts depicting drawings of Lanvin girls.

One standout item is a long, tiered tulle dress, ballerina-style – okay it’s not silk tulle, but in bright red, who cares? The accessories are a story in themselves ranging from iridescent brooches, necklaces in red enamel and sunglasses to clutch bags in matching prints. The shoes, four styles, are stilettos that come in Chinese red or black patent, floral or leopard print with Swarovski-studded heels and grosgrain ankle ribbons. Prices start at around €9 for lipsticks (four different types) and go up to €299 for a black trench with ornate jet buttons. Ireland is getting most but not all of the collections in South King Street Dublin 2 and Dundrum Town Centre, with menswear only in South King Street. It goes on sale on Tuesday, November 23rd.

Deirdre McQuillan

Deirdre McQuillan

Deirdre McQuillan is Irish Times Fashion Editor, a freelance feature writer and an author