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Party season is almost upon us, and with the dopamine from Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour looks all but depleted, one glittering retro-futuristic collection is arriving to save the day: Rabanne X H&M. Dropping 9 November, Rabanne is the latest sure-to-sell-out designer collaboration from H&M, with all the space-age chainmail, textured paillettes and metal fringing you could ask for.
As a Rabanne enthusiast, I will admit to shopping one or two knock-offs in my early 20s. So, when news reached me that the legendary brand would be next in line for an H&M collab, I jumped for joy. Visionary partywear at a high-street price? Sign me up. Some colleagues had their doubts. So much of what we want to feel in Rabanne is expensive: a hedonistic, decadent opulence. Can you really deliver the Paco Rabanne fantasy at a fraction of the price without it looking, god forbid, cheap? This collection is the most powerful argument that you can.
Walking into the H&M showroom, it’s hard for your jaw not to drop. Even on hangers, the clothes pop. A metallics-heavy collection, jam-packed with shimmering sequins and crystals, all the clothes seem to dazzle and dance under the light. Even better, they pass the touch test: the pieces feel substantial, rather than the flimsiness of your average copy, and the mesh is heavy and thick. Plus, beyond all the glitter and discs, there are casual items that deliver plenty of retro glamour, too.
My top tip? Step outside your comfort zone. As a magpie, I was most excited about the shiniest, sparkliest pieces, but so many items I would’ve usually walked past ended up impressing me: the long jacquard dress; the mohair cardigan; the ’70s-style knit set. And the biggest highlight of the collection? The accessories. Make sure to check out the matching earrings, necklaces, shoes, bags, and, of course, the headpieces. Go hard or go home.
The mens’ collection is also worth a browse. There are many equally bedazzled, glamorous party pieces, which is refreshing to see, and the green tracksuit comes in the most gorgeous shade. They didn’t have the full set to try on at the showroom, but having seen the womens’ set, I know I’ll be getting an emerald pair once the collection is live.
Another word of advice: for a collection that will, no doubt, appeal to many members of the acrylics community, there are a lot of finicky buttons. Factor in extra time to get in and out, especially if you have long nails. If possible, have someone help, or risk running late.
Like the Mugler collaboration, it’s wonderful to see a wide range in sizing, from a UK 6-22 (XS-XXL). I am typically a UK size 8, sometimes a size 10 on the bottom, and I’m five foot two-and-a-half. Broadly, this collection lends itself to a taller frame. On me, although a dress might fit, often the torso would be a little loose, so I’d risk getting a size down if you’re on the shorter side, or consider getting pieces tailored.
Vogue’s Rabanne X H&M highlights:
- The sequined dress, $449
- The disco bag, $299
- The ’70s-inspired separates: Dress, $85; Trousers, $85
- The paillette pool slides: $149
- The LBD: $129
The silver maxi
This piece got the most office “ooohs” ahead of trying. And, it delivered. The dress looks almost liquid, a sequinned waterfall, and dazzles under the light. The small was true to size for an 8. While it does hug the figure, I think it would benefit from shapewear and a good bra to really get the silhouette to pop. The buttons are tricky, particularly if you’ve got claws like mine, so this is a look that benefits from an extra pair of hands.
The chainmail halterneck and skirt
A two-piece Paris Hilton would be proud of. The fringing, and the way the mesh hits the light, makes it so fun to shake around in, so it is perfect for a night of dancing. But, when it came to sizing, this one was a bit of an anomaly for me: I wanted to size up from the small so it would hit a little lower, giving more cleavage and lower rise on the skirt.
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The disc dress
This is what we came for, isn’t it? Even the buttons on this dress are sequin discs too, and seamlessly camouflaged. As a maximalist, I loved pairing this with the matching earrings, and even the necklace for true OTT drama. I liked offsetting it with the casual-yet-camp gold sequin-disc slides. True to size, the dress does cinch in a little at the middle, but it is more of a shift silhouette. A word of warning: the discs get smeary pretty quickly, but you can wipe them down – plus, who cares when you’re in the dark?
The gold bralette and skirt
I was told that this was a big hit with everyone who tried it on, and it is such a gorgeous shade of gold. On me, however, the fit wasn’t quite right. For a bigger bust, or with a clever bra, I’m sure the bralette would be flattering, but it was quite flattening on me. I wore the small and the strap kept falling off my shoulders, so petite ladies, try sizing down. But the skirt is a showstopper, and although it feels so heavy, it is somehow unnoticeably light once it is on.
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The ’70s two-piece
Against all assumptions, I loved this retro co-ord. Easy to dress up or down, you can throw it on for a casual meal with your mates, and not need to change for any parties after. The small was too loose around the arms for me, and the trousers were a little too long, so petite girls, I would size down, and potentially be prepared to tailor.
The leopard slip
Reece, the fabulous showroom co-ordinator, described this as a dress you can wear to the club, then pass out in, Maccies-in-hand. Personally, as the material is on the thin side, if I were to wear it out I’d layer it. What stood out with this underwear-as-outerwear piece was its cinching at the waist so you can serve more body. I wore a small, but the top part was quite loose, so if you’re petite, try sizing down.
The floral dress
Another surprise—I loved this dress! Not my usual style, but it’s hard not to feel elegant in this. Classy but packed with sex appeal, it hugs your figure beautifully and has such a cute wink of a cutout. I don’t always feel comfortable in high-necked pieces, but I felt quite Eliza Doolittle. Again, the top half was a little loose, and the material has some give so try a size down if you’re petite.
The silver batwing dress
Wow. I could’ve never anticipated that this would be my winner from the collection. True to size, it feels so heavy but – after you adjust to the cold chainmail on your skin – you don’t feel its weight at all. And, god, the way it shimmers is so dreamy. The casual opulence of its robe-like cut comes in the most dazzling eye-popping mesh. Once paired with the silver cap, I felt ready for Studio 54. This piece is in limited stock, so be ready to pounce when it drops.
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The ’90s tracksuit
Such a no-brainer for any winter wardrobe. Thick and chic, the two-direction zip means you can sex it up or down, and stops you from looking like Sue Sylvester. There were only the large tracksuit bottoms to try, but judging by their size on me, the petite might benefit from sizing down. I did like the matching baby tee, but it felt hotter to go without one at all.
The sheer maxi
This is a very elegant way to dabble in the “naked” trend. Diamante-studded with diamond buttons, all of the twinkling distracts you from feeling of being pant-less (and paraphrasing Rihanna, who could be bothered by it when you’re covered in crystals?) and the frilled panels on top and bottom lend a maturity to the look. The size small felt true to size.
The mohair cardigan and bra
Pink and fluffy! It’s impossible not to get a serotonin boost from these mohair pieces. The moment the bra was on, it put the biggest smile on my face. It’s so cute! Versatile and soft on the skin, the diamantés amp up the girliness in a way that can be styled to look classy, cutesy, or camp. I wore a medium bra, which I would definitely size down (maybe twice). The small cardigan I was happy with, but if you’re petite and want a close fit, size down.
The sculptural dress
Severe and dramatic, this is such a cool silhouette. The size small is fairly true to size, but as a petite girl with a short neck and torso, the back was still a little loose and it was too narrow on my shoulders, so be prepared to tailor it a little. Taller girls, this is likely less of a problem, your normal size will probably fit like a dream.
The purple two-piece
This disced number is playful and risqué, frisky and fun, in a Cadbury’s color that is both youthful and opulent. Although I might not be brave enough to go out in this, fortune favors the bold, and this is an outfit you’d definitely get lucky in. It has an irresistible appeal – just make sure you have a plan to avoid inevitable nip slips. True to size, get the gold belt and earrings to add extra dazzle.
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