Iris Apfel x H&M: could this be the most iconic H&M collaboration to date?

From Giambattista Valli to Erdem, Simone Rocha and Versace… the list of designer names to have joined forces in an H&M collab is as impressive as it is varied.

But today the Swedish retailer has suprpassed itself, announcing the major collaboration of 2022 will be with interiors guru, fashion designer, avid collector and all round bona fide fashion luminary Iris Apfel.

Launching in the same year the New Yorker will celebrate her 100^th birthday, the Iris Apfel x H&M collection will pay homage to Apfel’s uniquely fearless, fun, colourful approach to dressing, and will include both clothing and accessories.

“I love doing high style at affordable prices, which H&M has mastered!” said Apfel, whose uniquely fabulous “more is more” approach to dressing will no doubt inspire the most kaleidoscopically colourful and joyous H&M collaboration collection to date. A master at pairing extraordinary vintage and couture finds with tribal clothing and thrift-store bargains, then piling it all with enough costume jewellery to sink a small ship, Apfel creates outfits better described as art than apparel.

“Iris epitomizes personal style – a style that is both beautifully flamboyant and eclectic as well as being totally ageless. She shows what fashion is all about – a means to express yourself, who you are or want to be and having fun at the same time – a true inspirer!”, said Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor of womenswear at H&M, who are also planning to host Apfel a 100th birthday party on Thursday evening of New York Fashion Week.

There can be no doubt the collection will feature plenty of giant colourful beaded necklaces, floral suits, patchwork and metallic jacquard coats, tiered ruffle dresses, jingling bangles and brightly coloured trousers… and surely no Iris Apfel collection would be complete without a replica of her signature black oversized spectacles?

Iris Apfel x H&M will drop in early 2022.