It all started with Karl Lagerfeld. And let’s be honest, the best things normally do. Then came Stella McCartney, Victor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli, Comme des Garçons, Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo, Sonia Rykiel and in November this year, swoon, Lanvin. H&M have brought collaboratory guest designer collections to their stores since 2004 with great success. And now, they are collaborating with the masses. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Your Art Here competition by H&M.
Entrants (US citizens only) were invited to submit their work online, and visitors to the site vote on their favourite pieces. The top 10 voted artworks are then reviewed by an expert panel of judges to select the winner. And heavens, what a prize. Not only does the winning arts receive $5,000 and $500 of H&M clothes, but their work goes up in the massive window of the 505 Fifth Avenue, New York store.
This is an exciting move for a high street fashion retailer, incorporating an online gallery space, community voting, and a stamp of approval by top industry bods. While the competition element closed today, the online gallery space lives on allowing artists to continue to take advantage of displaying their work on the site. We’re excited to know the winner – and even more excited to see whether the initiative will be repeated in the UK. Here are a few favourites…
Oh Happy Day! by Jim Lucio
The Zoo by La Pandilla
