H&M’s new Studio Collection is a nod to 70’s Bowie and Studio 54

By Erin Lindsay
23rd Sep 2020

H&M’s new Studio Collection is a nod to 70’s Bowie and Studio 54

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One of my favourite high street launches every year has to be the H&M Studio Collection for the AW season. Coming into autumn each year, we are treated to a line of sumptuous clothing that inspires our wardrobes for each and every occasion, whether it be curling up on the couch or heading to your fifth Christmas party that week. H&M Studio is all about the inspiration or muses behind each line, and the nostalgic aspect that comes with focusing on an iconic style figure is what makes each one so special and timeless. Who could forget 2018’s Twin Peaks-inspired collection, or last year’s timeless tailoring?

In the midst of Covid-19, and a sorry lack of destinations to show off our new wares, I admit that I was apprehensive about this collection from H&M – would it just be another set of loungewear, muted and appropriate for WFH life? But my concerns couldn’t have been further from the truth – H&M’s AW20 Studio Collection is an extravagant kaleidoscope of colour, texture and, most importantly, fun.

The ‘Refined Rebel’ collection is linked to two key muses – nineteenth-century writer Violet Paget (pen name Vernon Lee) who was a feminist groundbreaker of her time in Florence, and the iconic David Bowie, whose androgynous trailblazing can be seen throughout this stunning collection. Individuality, self-expression, truly having fun with fashion – this is the message behind Refined Rebel, whose pieces can be mixed, matched, swapped and customised for maximum personality.

A colour palette of cerulean blues (thanks Miranda Priestley), corals, sea greens and refined greys flow across organza, Italian wool and leather, with many of the pieces made in recycled polyester too, in a nod to H&M’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Every base is covered, as each piece can be styled for a work day, a night on the town, a date night at home, or a relaxed date with friends – any occasion that calls for a splash of individuality is where this collection is needed.

H&M’s AW20 Studio Collection is available online tomorrow and in their flagship Irish store on College Green in Dublin. In the meantime, check out some of our favourite pieces that we’ve got our eye on for tomorrow morning.