Jimmy Choo Accessories for H&M

Fond of glamorous, oversize sunglasses and sky-high stiletto boots, Tamara Mellon is not a person one would associate with the word “bargain.”

And dressed head to toe in an ultraviolet suede minidress and strappy sandals from the Jimmy Choo for H&M capsule collection, Mellon, founder and president of the luxury shoemaker, admitted: “It was a challenge for us to create high-quality pieces at an H&M price point.”

The Jimmy Choo for H&M line, which hits some 200 H&M stores Nov. 14, is the first time the fast-fashion retailer will collaborate with an accessories brand after doing successful one-off apparel collections with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor & Rolf, Roberto Cavalli and, most recently, Matthew Williamson. Another first is on Mellon’s part: She has spearheaded her first apparel designs under the Jimmy Choo name.

“It was H&M’s idea to [do clothes], and as soon as they said it, I really wanted to do it,” said Mellon, who said she has no imminent plans to launch ready-to-wear under the Jimmy Choo umbrella, but added: “Never say never.”

“Through vintage shopping, I had a rail of stuff,” said Mellon of her design process, not unlike the manner in which she generates Jimmy Choo’s four collections a year. “It’s the same woman [who is the inspiration for Choo’s] fall collection. She’s rock ’n’ roll, a little punk.”

For fall, Mellon was inspired by late-Seventies pop icons and hippies in Goa, India.

“It’s buy-now, wear-now for party season,” said Mellon of the collection of apparel, handbags, costume jewelry and those signature sky-scraping Jimmy Choo stilettos that have made the 13-year-old company well known.

The line reflects just how Mellon would style the accessories on herself. The women’s rtw looks include a sequin-covered black jersey dress with a plunging V neckline; a one-shoulder gray suede minidress; a chubby black faux fur vest; a boxy zipped cashmere cardigan covered in black sequins and beads, and — Mellon’s favorite — a short-sleeve black suede minidress drenched in long suede fringes that extend past the knee.

The shoes are equally edgy. All made of leather, there are bondage-inspired high-heel sandals for evening, strappy studded gladiators for day and stretch leather over-the-knee boots meant to be worn with a short skirt or dress. Many pieces are inspired by styles that have been in the collection, such as an oversize leather clutch with gold hardware, an embellished zebra-striped pochette for evening and platform sandals.

“It works all different ways,” said Mellon, noting dressing day-to-night was a key factor in creating the collection.

There is also a selection of men’s apparel and accessories, another first for Jimmy Choo.

“Men’s was a little more challenging,” said Mellon. “It’s what you want your husband or boyfriend to wear. It’s more about the cut than anything else.”

The men’s assortment includes a refined leather bomber jacket, a black suit, slim-cut jeans and easy T-shirts.

An advertising campaign, which will be in major fashion magazines and outdoor, was shot by Terri Richardson, who regularly photographs Jimmy Choo’s ad campaigns with model Angela Lindvall. (WWD)

Good looking stuff!