Continuing their annual tradition of collaborating with luxury designer brands, fashion giant H&M teamed up with Olivier Rousteing to bring forth a Balmain x H&M collection set to drop later this year. GQ UK was able to nab Rousteing for an exclusive interview where he unveiled select pieces from the upcoming, modestly priced collection. Rousteing chose to keep Balmain's signature stamp on the entire collection, swapping out expensive fabrics for less expensive ones and easing up on embroidery.
“Balmain is super-expensive so it was really a challenge. The H&M team knew this, too, but they knew what they were going for...I know there are people that love Balmain but who can’t afford it. Maybe they will never be able to afford it but now for once in their life they can have a piece of me.” — Olivier Rousteing
Make no mistake, this is still Balmain: an olive green heavily embroidered military jacket, a sport red leather jacket with straps all over, a blacked boiler suit with zippers from the chest down to the legs are all pieces in the cooperative fashion effort. The classic Balmain biker jeans that everybody's favorite rappers have been wearing are even included. The collection officially drops November 5 at H&M stores and online as well, giving fans of Rousteing's designs a chance to finally cop Balmain for the (relatively) low.
UPDATE 9/25/15: The first campaign photos, starring a bevy of models including (who else?) Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, have arrived! Peep 'em below.