Dominating brand collab headlines this week (still) is H&M x Mugler, which saw consumers from London to Beijing queuing outside stores for the drop on May 11. Thanks to the more accessible price points, many styles have now sold out, though the popular Cut-Out design is only selling on StockX for approx. $38 (265 RMB) more than original retail price.
Other big news this week includes Timothée Chalamet becoming the face of one of the world’s most popular male fragrances, Bleu De Chanel. Versace and Dua Lipa will show and instantly release their collection on May 23, and the Christofle x Karl Lagerfeld Mood silverware set is being auctioned on charitybuzz.com to raise funds for the Fashion Institute of Technology.
In Tuesday's Collabs & Drops, we looked at The North Face's careful step into jewelry, Hublot's innovative coffee capsule watch, and Jean Paul Gaultier x Melissa stepping up the jelly shoe game — for our verdict on those, check out the below, and subscribe here to receive these updates straight to your inbox.
The North Face x Maria Black#
Date
Spring 2023
Verdict
Entering a new product category by partnering with an expert within that industry is a failsafe move. And that’s exactly what The North Face is doing with its step into jewelry. Copenhagen-born, Danish-Irish designer Maria Black designs accessible pieces that have an androgynous aesthetic, perfect for The North Face’s unisex appeal. Dropping just 50 exclusive sets, this first jewelry collection feels like a trial run, as it’s only being made available as part of a giveaway for The North Face’s Urban Exploration collection. It’s a clever way to test the waters and see if consumers are hyped about it or not. So far, the brand hasn’t posted about it on social media, but Maria Black has. Perhaps, The North Face is utilizing the drop to see if it can win with the jewelry brand’s existing consumer base — feedback seems limited, but positive so far.
Hublot x Nespresso#
Date May 11
Verdict
With only 200 pieces available, the limited edition $24,000 (167,400 RMB) Hublot x Nespresso watch is another surprising collaboration to add to the luxury timepiece arena. The global coffee brand has found an eco-friendly way of working with various brands outside of the F&B industry through upcycling its coffee pods. Having previously worked with Chinese skate brand Do By Heart on the first skateboard made out of recycled Nespresso capsules, Nespresso has now created the first watch out of coffee capsules as part of its Second Life series. Not only does the product boost the public opinion of Nespresso for reducing its waste but also the reputation of its collaborators, like Hublot, for embracing sustainable initiatives. Consumers want meaningful purchases in 2023. The unique design innovation is a bonus, too.
Jean Paul Gaultier x Melissa#
Date
May 12
Verdict
Reuniting after 40 years, Jean Paul Gaultier (JPG) and Melissa have designed the Melissa Becky Punk Love Pump + Jean Paul Gaultier sandal. Despite not dominating headlines or news feeds, the collection has received entirely positive feedback online. The Black Pump Punk Love Heels have sold the most, while other items from the capsule remain fully stocked. First collaborating on Melissa’s famed jelly shoe in 1983, the two are reviving history and leveraging their own cultural capital of ’80s nostalgia. At the same time, they are joining their likeminded, fashion-forward consumer bases.