Marni Gets Set For Its H&M Collaboration With New (almost) Print-free Collection

Posted: 26/02/12

Sarah Karmali

Follow: AutumnWinter 2012, Fashion, Fashion Week, Marni, Milan Fashion Week

WHO? Marni

Marni Autumn/Winter 2012 collection A model walks during the Marni Autumn/Winter 2012 show in Milan. Photo:Getty

IN A NUTSHELL: Consuelo Castiglioni eschewed Marni's usual preference for bright, colourful prints this season, in favour of more subtle block-colouring and embellishment. The heavily outerwear-centric collection featured belted coats galore, paired with simple shift dresses, cropped trousers, boxy jackets, exaggerated pockets on hips and lots of wide, fur collars - paired with platform heels (or sometimes, flatform heels), quirky circular sunglasses and white tights. Yes, you heard correctly: every single look came complete with white tights (less naughty nurse, more Alice in Wonderland.)

BEG, BORROW OR STEAL: Not sure we're quite ready to embrace the white tights just yet, or the flatform for that matter, but some of the belted coats were molto alla moda - particularly a yellow wet-look leather trench, or the black cape coat (pictured) - and the cropped trousers and printed sleeved dresses were also quite covetable. We're also definitely up for trying out a pair of circular sunnies for size.

VERDICT: Marni's always been a love it or leave it type label for many: the Marni woman is quite set in her style and specific about what she likes. But this season we saw a change. And you know what? We liked it. While we don't suggest she abandons the print for too long (the eclectic and colourul front row reminded us of precisely why we love it) collections as chic and distinctive as this will no-doubt help make the upcoming high street collaboration with H&M a sell-out success.

Marni for H&M debuts 8 March 2012.

More from Marni's collection below: