Harajuku and J-Rock-like fashions on the runway Fall 2008.

Comme Des Garçons designer, Rei Kawakubo, has been tapped to be the next designer collection for H&M’s Fall line.

“Rei Kawakubo has been at the top of our wish list for a long time and we are
thrilled that she has chosen to collaborate with us. We have tremendous respect
for Kawakubo’s fashion philosophy of questioning fashion’s ingrained patterns,
and admire her artistic approach to design. We are particularly excited that the
collection will be launched in Japan, Kawakubo’s native country, at the same
time as the launch of our new store there”, explains Margareta van den Bosch,
creative advisor, H&M.

I think I’m one of the few people who doesn’t quite get Comme Des Garçons or Rei Kawakubo’s line of thought and philosophy when it comes to design. I know her approach is something along the lines of deconstructing fashion, but I just can’t follow her angle. Some of her designs aren’t really wearable or salable, I mean there was a Fall or Spring line last year where she had a bunch of clown outfits… Anyone care to enlighten me on her? I’m interested in knowing what kind of collection she’ll be creating for H&M, it could possibly be the funkiest collection yet. Not that I would have any chance on getting my hands on it, all H&M collections designed by big shot designers have sold out within the first opening hour.

For her Fall collection, I can see some of that deconstruction, it reminds me of a more sophisticated version of h.Naoto, a Japanese designer who destroys fabrics by painting, stripping, and disheveling, giving that grungy british punk rock look with an edge. At least that’s what he used to do, I think these days he focuses more on J-rock, gothic Victorian inspired looks. I can see this working for Japanese fashion, the younger crowds like it elaborate, detailed and funky. But for a western demographic, it might hit a smaller audience. Well who knows, this collection just might be a hit too.

Image credit: Style.com