What to Expect From Balmain x H&M

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The H&M fall designer collaboration with French fashion house Balmain is still shrouded in mystery. (Okay, it doesn't drop until November 5th, but still.) A hush-hush press preview in Paris earlier this month didn't reveal a thing—the collab's #HMBalmaination tag offers nothing new.

All that's certain is that there will be clothing and accessories for both men and women, available at over 250 international stores, as well as hm.com. The ad campaign hasn't even rolled out yet, but we won't be surprised if it stars Kendall Jenner and Jourdan Dunn. The two were part of the collab's announcement, appearing in head-to-toe Balmain x H&M looks at the Billboard Awards alongside Balmain's darling designer, Olivier Rousteing.

What to do while we patiently await images of the collection? Take wild—but well-educated—guesses at the Balmain signatures we expect (and hope!) to see in the collab. Check out our predictions below, from structured mini dresses and military influences to flattering wrap skirts and saturated jewel tones.

---

Strong Shoulders

Blazers with strong, angular shoulders are a Balmain constant. We're confident the collab will have at least one, likely with trousers to match.

Spring 2012, Spring 2015

Wide Belts

Super-wide belts that define the waist are a recurring testament to Rousteing's expertise in creating an hourglass silhouette (even if it's just an illusion), part of why he was a great choice to collab with the mass brand.

Fall 2014, Spring 2015

Structured Minidresses

There's sure to be at least one short, molded dress with a funnel neck, long sleeves, and that strong shoulder signature. Don't count on the collab offering as intensely ornate details; you won't be copping an exact replica of Kim Kardashian's bachelorette dress (below, left), even if she's immortalized in wax wearing it.

Fall 2012, Fall 2013

Military Influences

Epaulets, patch pockets, and olive green are sure to filter through to the collab, whether subtly (like the dress below, left) or all-in, like the confident look below, right.

Fall 2012, Fall 2014

Liquid Metallics

With the '70s in the air and disco nostalgia coursing through partywear, we would not be at all surprised to find some evening looks that rely on super shiny fabrics.

Fall 2013, Fall 2015

Wrap Skirts

Rousteing favors a dramatically revealing wrap skirt, which will probably be toned down for the broad H&M audience. The style, whether a tiny mini or a floor-grazing maxi, is universally flattering, and it would be remiss not to include at least one.

Fall 2013, Spring 2014

Jewel Tones

Balmain shows a lot of black and white (and gold), but rich jewel tones like jade green and deep magenta weave their way through many of the collections as well. The brand's fall 2015 runway showed pumpkin, ochre yellow, and a brightened-up navy blue that seems to hint at Rousteing's refreshed love affair with the palette, which we hope translates to H&M.

Fall 2013, Fall 2015

Beading

Though it's a more expensive technique, we expect Balmain's stellar beadwork will make its way into the lower-priced collab. The jacket Kendall wore to the Billboard Awards was nearly identical as the one below, left, so we know there's at least one gorgeous beaded piece to covet.

Fall 2012, Spring 2014