April 14, 2008

H&M's Tribute to Marimekko

If you've been up-to-date with your online fashion news, you would have read that various blogs and sites are anticipating H&M's 'Tribute to Marimekko'. You may have wondered what the heck is Marimekko. Well, at least I did. According to H&M's press release, Merimekko is "the Finnish textile company that has thrilled since the 50s with its bold, bright colour." It's apparently "well known for vibrant bold simple prints," and oh, get this: "It was fashion icon Jackie Kennedy that put Marimekko on the international map when she wore their dresses during her husbrand's 1960 presidential campaign."

And if you were anywhere near an H&M store over the weekend, you would probably have noticed that the collection is out. Actually I don't think anyone could have walked by an H&M store and not notice the collection -the collection basically consists of a bunch of crazy, colourful prints. My friend and I went into the Reagent Street store on Friday night and all I thought was, as if H&M wasn't hard enough to navigate -now these crazy garments are making the store layout even more confusing! You can obviously tell that I was not impressed by the window display or the clothes inside the store.

When I got home, I checked it out properly online and let's just say it didn't look any better online. Now I admit I am not a particularly creative or crazy dresser, but I'm usually pretty open to old and new designs out there (as long as I'm not buying it.) But all the clashing colours and the prints were just too much for me.

These pants are just crazy! They look more costume-perfect for a music video or Halloween. I hope I actually see someone wearing them on the streets just so I can see how they look in action!

And the designers seemed to really like the maxi-dress -a silhouette that I'm not too fond of, and the maxi-skirt. I just think the manequinns look like they have bedsheets or curtains wrapped around them! Plus, I'm really not a fan of the combinations -I can't stand that shade of army orange and green together!

I did find this pink and blue blouse, and black and white dress to be ok. (Although certainly not ok enough for me to buy them.)

I thought the best items out of the collection were the swimsuits, although that doesn't say much for the collection since I don't even have much of an opinion on swimsuits to begin with.

This collection is meant to "take you all the way from the city street to the heat of the beach." I can only picture myself on city streets and possibly small cities in the EU, so obviously I am not this collection's target customer. Maybe that's why I don't like this collection. I just don't understand why some of the blogs and sites out there were so excited about it. Am I the only one who isn't impressed with the collection, or do I simply not know how to appreciate it?

Image Credits: http://www.hm.com/

60 Comments:

Blogger Jessica said...

I'm an H&M fan, but I won't be buying anything from this line. It's too crazy looking.

4/14/2008 8:31 PM  
Blogger alis said...

I like the prints but don't like the garments shown on these mannequins at all. I did however like the ones that were chosen on who what wear daily (http://www.whowhatweardaily.com/website/full_article.php?id=592). oh and that black&white bikini would look killer hot with bright nails and a slight tan.

4/14/2008 8:36 PM  
Blogger AR said...

H&M is one of my favorite stores but I definitely won't be purchasing any of these items! I hope I see someone walking down the street in those Blue and Yellow pants too that would be hilarious!

4/14/2008 9:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As a Finn I must urge you to check out the official page of Marimekko ( http://www.marimekkostory.com/ ) there's photos of the older and new collections (and pretty images from Finland). Marimekko is one of the most internationally known brands of Finland. Apart from clothes, which are sort of strange, they make interior stuff and bags. But I agree, the H&M collection is rather awful.

4/14/2008 9:43 PM  
Blogger Thumbelina Fashionista said...

Absolutely hideous. I'm glad I didn't bother.

4/14/2008 10:42 PM  
Blogger lucy pachia said...

I am not favoring the crazy prints or the big flowery prints of spring collections. Maybe designers should try be more subtle for spring instead of the same old crazy bright prints that stand out so much they are tacky.

4/14/2008 11:37 PM  
Blogger kiran said...

i really wanted to like this line, im all for bright prints, i even took a skirt home with high hopes--but it was ridiculous and entirely unwearable---i will be returning it!

4/14/2008 11:39 PM  
Blogger Girl-Woman said...

I'm with you all. I love the Mrimekko bedding but I don't want to wear a sheet.

-Jamie

4/15/2008 12:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well, I found the collection in store before reading it on blogs, like last week.
Some models are ok, but the printins are kind of exausting. It's like, you use it once and that's it, you're tired of it already.
The products are well made (for H&M), but still, I didn't buy anything and I agree when you say it's not that impressive!

4/15/2008 12:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am just not very crazy about the collection. Yeah, why is everyone all exicted? The colors are bold but other than that... I do kind of like the black and white short print drss. Some of these pieces look like bad designs from the past coming back to haunt us.

4/15/2008 1:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpaSIqvDMqE

Please watch our video for our Reap/Sew Fashion Show!



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thanks!
:-)

4/15/2008 1:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First of all I'm from Finland and I must say that I'm not very proud of this rather odd collection. Marimekko really is a classic but in H&M's clothes they look just hideous. Marimekko is known for it's good quality fabrics and finnish top design. This collection kind of makes Marimekko seem cheap and silly. And the prints would have needed updating.

4/15/2008 1:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As people before me has said: yes the collection is rather weird and not so great, but as a Swede I'm amazed over the respond to the brand Marimekko! I really thought people knew what is was. As a child growing up, Marimekko was really exclusive and nice and all that. Maybe it's a Scandinavian thing then; and maybe that's why only Swedish H&M could make this rather awful collection using MArimekko the bad way. It's actually a really good label of design using the prints right.

4/15/2008 4:21 AM  
Blogger Upper West Side Femme said...

i agree, not a fan. the fit just look horribly off.

4/15/2008 4:26 AM  
Blogger Natty said...

I love Marimekko prints however H&M have managed to cheapen the whole look. I agree with you, the swimwear is nice but the rest hasn't translated well at all. The illustrations advertising the collection on the other hand were quite cute.

4/15/2008 4:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a Finn also, and like one of the anonymous said, check out the official page ;)
BUT. I don't like this collection either. When I first heard about their conjunct line I was a bit worried... And for a good reason, I can tell.

Marimekko's own clothes etc are good quality and I can't believe H&M clothes could be that long-lasting. So I personally think, that this is no good advertisment for Marimekko.

Please don't think we Finns are weird and we all wear clothes like in those pictures :D

4/15/2008 4:45 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I happened to be at H&M on the day this line was released (purely by chance, not because I had heard of this upcoming line) and my response was the same as everyone's here! I have to admit, some of the prints (namely black and white one) are really cute, though just not for me.

I tried on that one-piece swimsuit and I didn't even know it *was* a swimsuit! I totally thought it was a corseted jumpsuit! Though seriously, it looks cute, but it makes your butt all saggy and all kinds of HUGE because of the "diaper"-like bottom.

4/15/2008 8:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They're a lifestyle print, they're not for everybody. I personally love them, they represent the life I live.

4/15/2008 8:50 AM  
Blogger shardette.. said...

There's too much of clash between colour and prints, and not in a subtle.

Although, that black and white print mini-dress is the nicest of the lot and if I had to pick something, it would be my selection.

4/15/2008 9:32 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Agree with pretty much everyone.

4/15/2008 10:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not Finnish nor even Scandinavian and I do know Marimekko, have for years, but this collection is weird, and that's nothing against Marimekko. Something is just really lost in the translation here.

4/15/2008 11:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i love marimekko and was really anticipating this collection...but yeah...its extremely ugly...

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?color=whi&navAction=jump&id=813010

here's a piece by Marimekko for Anthropologie...which is what I had hoped the H&M collection would look like

4/15/2008 2:28 PM  
Blogger FASHION BUYER said...

very very very BAD collection...

4/15/2008 11:25 PM  
Blogger Asi Mod said...

I see a lot of Prada S/S08 in here too. And Pucci definitely.

4/15/2008 11:54 PM  
Blogger LC said...

I love H&M, but this...wow! The only thing I would buy is the bikini or the short black/white-dress!

4/16/2008 12:15 AM  
Blogger FASHION BUYER said...

and by the way, check it ou FASHION BUYER BLOG, www.fashionbuyer.blogspot.com
that is a translator there, all the fashion news about EUROPE, specially from MILANO.

BACIO

4/16/2008 12:37 AM  
Blogger Vera said...

It looks awful and cheap.. or awfully cheap! :)

4/16/2008 1:50 AM  
Blogger Katie said...

Thank God you feel that way because I thought I just wasn't appreciating the art or something...Actually, I really like the first skirt. The pants are ludicrous. I am interested to see someone wearing those in real life. The maxi dress and skirt are pretty and flowy. I'm sure there's someone out there who can wear those (not me). I am actually a huge fan of that color orange. These clothes (and H&M in general since I can never find one single article of clothing to buy there) are probably not for me since I'm not a bold clothes kind of person but I could definitely see this being good for certain people. Thanks for making people like me feel better about our taste. Sometimes I feel like I should just like it because it's popular but that's not what fashion is about, is it?

4/16/2008 2:35 AM  
Blogger The Fashionable Kiffen said...

I was excited for this collection (I like Marimekko and bold prints in general), but the pieces seem poorly made - even for H&M!

4/16/2008 3:09 AM  
Blogger stylishmode said...

The skirt with the circles/dots is ok but I just don't know about the rest, yikes!

4/16/2008 3:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love marimekko and some of the prints on the H&M clothes are acually lovely.. might buy a dress..

4/16/2008 3:42 AM  
Blogger Siru said...

H&M did Marimekko's graphics a lot better than Manolo. I'd love to buy something from the collection.

juliet xxx

4/16/2008 5:22 AM  
Blogger thesil said...

I´m not particularly interested in Marimeko´s designs but I will glance them just in case.
Nice blog!

4/16/2008 11:19 PM  
Blogger Always In Style said...

I like Marimeko and H&M but was disappointed by the collection. The patterns didn't look very good up close. I heard some woman in the dressing room with a bunch of it, and she was raving about it. Have to check it out for yourself I guess.

4/16/2008 11:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I absolutely can not find it in me to like anything in this line. It's just so gaudy. Marimekko prints on other products have fared much better in my opinion. I wonder what went wrong?

4/17/2008 1:42 AM  
Blogger Riley said...

Saw the first dress and loved it! Now I am obsessed with the maxi skirts1 Must go back!!

4/17/2008 2:02 AM  
Blogger CupaSweets said...

I can appreciate the throw back designs, but I don't see myself purchasing any of the garments.

4/17/2008 5:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some of the pieces are whimsical and cute, such as the black and white dress or the two swimsuits. I'm sure someone tall and fabulous could even pull off the dress. But what kills the pieces is the styling in these photos, expecially all the tucked-in shirts. Eugh.

4/17/2008 3:47 PM  
Blogger Harrods Girl said...

Hey people, sorry about not updating! Our blog's been locked by Blogger's spam detector and it's taking a few days for them to unlock our posting ability. We should (hopefully) be back soon!

4/17/2008 6:10 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

4/17/2008 9:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I could see myself wearing the long dress and the b/w short dress, but gosh darn it I really just wish I could see an H&M in Dallas :(

4/17/2008 9:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't think its necessarily the prints that are unflattering, its the style of clothing. Those huge tops? What were they thinking!

4/18/2008 2:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How do you not know about Kate? Jeeze.really?
The collection is pretty-fashion foward/backward not to be consumed but liked by a few makes it into art.

4/18/2008 4:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bought the black and white dress and I love it! It's flattering, versatile, and I got more compliments wearing it that one day than I have had on any other outfit recently. It's a fun lil 60s throwback.

The other clothes are a bit too much for me (in terms of color, size, pattern), but I appreciate the concept overall.

4/18/2008 11:43 AM  
Blogger Karina Cifuentes said...

Fantastic finds! I bought a few of these items! Unfortunately, so did every other girl in NY!

4/19/2008 4:44 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some of the dresses feel a little dowdy, but I could definitely rock the bathing suits :)

4/19/2008 5:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like H&M's fashion, but the Marimekko is a bit "out there." However, I did find a tank top in a print that was a good, comfortable fit. I actually wear mainly their organic tee lines for work, but now and then I find a good separate for an evening out.

4/19/2008 8:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

guys where are you?

4/19/2008 7:07 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to agree with your opinion
the Marimekko collection really didn't appea to me. It looked like a child's scribbles and the shapes of the garments really aren't wearable in my view. Although i did quite like the maxi dress for the beach and the swimwear.

4/19/2008 7:35 PM  
Blogger Boutique Mix Fashion said...

I love the colors.

4/20/2008 1:49 AM  
Blogger Jen said...

I'm sure someone somewhere will be able to pull those off, but I can already tell you it won't be me...those prints are yowza.

4/20/2008 5:14 PM  
Blogger Mica said...

Hmm, those prints do look a bit crazy and busy!

The only things I like are the black and white dress, and I could strangely see myself wearing the brown, orange and white circle skirt at the top. I don't think I'd suit the maxi skirt or dress though.

4/20/2008 9:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

These are so bad presented, curtains all the way.

4/20/2008 10:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All the garments look so heavy in the photographs but I went to H&M in NYC and I found most of the pieces to be quite refreshing and light. They didn't look as frumpy and silly as I thought they would. Overall I did buy a few pieces and I have worn them with a neutral pair of shorts or pants.

You must go to the store and try them on, just not all at once. They look fabulous for summer.

4/22/2008 12:07 PM  
Blogger Timo Rissanen said...

As yet another Finn, and a collector of original Marimekko textiles from the 50s and 60s, I find this level of bastardisation awful. But that's what H&M, Zara and the other companies that make cheap crap for the unimaginative masses are good at.

4/24/2008 9:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am completely in love with that first, giant skirt. I want it more than anything else.

7/21/2008 7:12 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about these?

http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/ContestGallery.pl?ContestID=95

Aren't some of them just as bad?

7/09/2009 12:06 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I wouldn't wear any of that stuff, expect maybe the swimsuits. The maxi dresses are hideous!

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