H&M has teamed up with New York-based fashion designers Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore
to launch a collection that celebrates the legacy of iconic artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Now live at hm.com and in select stores, the collection merges Basquiat’s iconic imagery with Bravado and D’Amore’s distinctive stained glass motifs and expressive designs.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, an iconic figure of the 20th century, transformed from a street artist to a renowned art figure. His work resonates deeply with Bravado and D’Amore, named semi-finalists for the 2024 LVMH Prize and finalists for the 2023 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, who view Basquiat’s journey as a testament to creativity and self-expression.
“Ev and Téla have translated Basquiat’s iconic art through a contemporary lens, resulting in a collection that feels new, meaningful and exciting. They also have a deep understanding and connection to Basquiat’s life, values and art – and how it all resonates with today’s cultural climate. This collection follows their maximalist, ‘more is more’ designs, but the artistic approach really ties into Basquiat and makes the collaboration a standout,” said Ana Hernandez, menswear designer at H&M.
The 30-piece collection features a range of items including tailored jackets, short-sleeve shirts, jeans, hoodies, t-shirts, a dress, a skirt, a corset top, and accessories. Highlights include a bomber jacket adorned with Basquiat’s vibrant artwork Ass Killer (1984) and embroidery of the designers’ arched window motif.
A black blazer features Basquiat’s scribbles about jazz greats Charlie Parker and Miles Davis from Discography 1 (1984). Luxe black leather trousers reference Basquiat’s Untitled (Ideal) (1988) and Untitled (World Famous) (1983), while a distressed denim jacket and matching jeans showcase his art within the recurring window design.
“Ev and Téla have quickly become some of the most exciting voices in fashion, and we knew that they would honor Jean-Michel’s vision while adding their own distinct style to his work. A central tenet of his legacy is to empower and amplify young black creatives, and through H&M’s global platform, we hope to inspire a new generation of artists to carry on his creative spirit,” added the Basquiat estate, run by Lisane Basquiat and Jeanine Heriveaux, sisters of Jean-Michel Basquiat.
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