H&M just announced their latest collaboration, and this time they’re teaming up with Ethiopian model Liya Kebede and her ethical fashion brand lemlem.
To bring lemlem x H&M to life, Kebede used a mix of traditional handwoven and sustainable materials to create a range of summer-ready items, including cover-ups, swimwear, sundresses, shirts, kaftans, and trousers.
Materials found in the line include organic linen, recycled polyester, and Tencel Lyocell, all of which Kebede has experience with through lemlem.
The lemlem x H&M collaboration also marks the first time that Kebede was able to design jewellery, creating an entire lemlem look.
Kebede says that the collection is meant to evoke a sense of reinvigoration and airiness, which is why she chose breezy fabrics like organic linen, vibrant, summery colours, fluid silhouettes, and of course, lemlem’s signature stripes and colour-blocking.
”We’re really hungry for colour, especially given this very strange year that we’ve lived through, that has been so grey and heavy. The lemlem x H&M collab is about freshness and lightness, bringing back the sun,” explains Kebede. “It’s about sisterhood, friendship and family, celebrating commonalities instead of looking at differences. It’s about love, and care — caring for our environment, each other and ourselves.”
”Through H&M, our hope is to have more people aware of our brand and be part of our community, so that we can create more opportunities for artisans to become independent and break out of a circle of poverty. In my definition of sustainability, this plays a huge part,” adds Kebede.
lemlem x H&M will be released in select H&M stores and online April 22. This is hot on the heels of H&M’s announcement regarding their latest eco-friendly collection, Colour Story, which is set to launch on April 15.
All images in this article are courtesy of lemlem and H&M.
