Sandra Mansour, a designer from Beirut has become the first Arab designer ever to launch a diffusion collection with H&M, the Swedish high-street fashion house.
H&M has rendered lines with Stella McCartney, Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel, Erdem, Versace, Alexander Wang, and several more in the last twenty years. But, until now it has never collaborated with one of the leading Arab designers who regularly work internationally.
Mansour’s range will be in selected stores from Thursday, August 6 and will be a combination class, modernity, romance and apprehension.
The collection is likely to be a purely subdued palette of mushroom greys, black and ivory. Expect dresses with ruffles and racks, blouses and skirts, tailored blazers, hoodies and printed T-Shirts.
Mansour called the work “Fleur du Soleil” after she was intrigued by the day-to-night way a sunflower follows the sun. The influence can be observed in the designs in dot, floral, and sunflower motifs and will be in line with H&M’s promise of fabric that fits both day and night.
Sandra Mansour's Collection
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Image Courtesy: Sandra Mansour Official website
“Poetry and painters inspired the selection of fabric – the dark laces, jacquards, and embroidered organza,” Mansour adds of her inspiration. “With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now.”
The series is said to have been especially influenced by female artists such as Dorothea Tanning, Lena Leclercq and Bibi Zogbé. Zogbé is a Lebanese artist praised for her floral paintings.
Mansour launched her eponymous label in 2010 after working with Elie Saab. Each part of the high-end collection is made at her studio in Beirut even though the designs are available globally from Farfetch to Harrods.
The artist is incredibly inspired by painters having longed to become one herself. She is known for her hand and thread embroidery. Her bridal line that produces both collections and custom pieces are evidence of her craft.
At her 2017 wedding, the Hannover Princess Ekaterina wore one of Mansour’s own custom outfits. The outfit took six months to be completed and is inspired by her Russian heritage of Yekaterina.
As they wait for her line to drop, the fashion community is keen and excited.
