When news broke of Isabel Marant's collection for H&M we heard a roar of excitement rumble over the earth. Or maybe it was our desk-side squeals (we can be pretty loud). Because if there's one thing that will get us waiting in queues and rapidly hitting the purchase button, it's a good collaboration.
However, Marant and H&M's sponsored_longform isn't the only pairing to whet our appetites this winter. From Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst to Vivienne Westwood and The Cambridge Satchel Company, click on an image below to see the best fashion pairings for your new season shopping list.
Words: Sejal Kapadia, Image credit: Rex Features, Getty, respective brands
L'Wren Scott and Banana Republic
Release date: 5 December
From £25, bananarepublic.co.uk
Designer L'Wren Scotts's ultra-feminine aesthetic will finally be up for grabs for a fraction of the price through her much-anticipated collaboration with Banana Republic. With over 50 pieces of apparel and accessories in the capsule collection, we're expecting it to be on many Christmas wish lists.
Holly Fulton and Radley
On sale now
£129-£249, radley.co.uk
These bags scream British, merging two homegrown looks: Holly Fulton's iconic graphic pattern and Radley's classic leather craftsmanship.
Rob Ryan and Tatty Devine
On sale now
From £95, selfridges.com
The coolest perspex jewellery brand Tatty Devine has translated Rob Ryan’s signature whimsical designs into sixteen pieces of jewellery. They are available in silver, gold and rose gold and are all handcrafted in London.
Damien Hirst and Alexander McQueen
Release date: 15 November
From £315, alexandermcqueen.com
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic skull scarf, Alexander McQueen has teamed up with Damien Hirst to produce 30 one-off scarves. Hirst’s Entomology series – where insects form kaleidoscopic geometric shapes – is the inspiration behind the designs, which will be reworked to form McQueen's signature skull motif. As both names are incidentally synonymous with iconic skulls (Damien Hirst's platinum and diamond-encrusted skull titled For the Love of God) this pairing is a match made in design heaven.
Isabel Marant and H&M
Release date: 14 November
From £14.99-£199, hm.com
Following the likes of Missoni and Maison Martin Margiela, Marant's line for H&M is already a range of must-have pieces inspired by her signature style – a blend of boho and rock'n'roll. The designer said, "I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian". She didn't have to convince us. That release date is embossed in a thousand diaries.
Vivienne Westwood and Johnstons of Elgin
On sale now
From £305, viviennewestwood.com
Johnstons of Elgin, experts in cashmere, and Vivienne Westwood have joined forces to create classic cardigans, lounge trousers and a tartan stole inspired by the wool capes from the Vivienne Westwood Gold Label autumn/winter 2013/14 collection. It's a part of the Vivienne Westwood ♥’s range available from 44 Conduit Street, 18 Conduit Street and online at viviennewestwood.com.
Vivienne Westwood and The Cambridge Satchel Company
Release date: 14 October
£165-£195, cambridgesatchel.com
The iconic Brit-bag is put through a Vivienne Westwood pattern machine in this exciting collaboration between the brands. It will feature the squiggle print and buckles first seen on the designer's infamous pirate boots in her autumn/winter 1981 'Pirate' collection. The bags will be available in two sizes and three colour ways.
Matthew Williamson and Lindex
Release date: 4 October
£8.40 - £168.60 (9.95 EUR - 199.95 EUR), lindex.com
Matthew Williamson is a frequent collaborator – he teamed up with H&M in 2009 and most recently created a make-up palette with Benefit. But his latest collection with Swedish high-street chain Lindex is "really about capturing the DNA of my main line" said Williamson. With Karlie Kloss in the advertising campaign, an extensive range of casual and formalwear and a spin-off children's line, it's a relief Lindex can ship abroad.
Alexa Chung and Eyeko
Release date: November (sign up to be on the waiting list)
Alexa Chung has said eyeliner is her comfort blanket and the cover of her debut book It (out on 5th September) features a thumbnail of her eye, so it's no wonder she's collaborating with Eyeko, the producers of faultless mascara and liner. Since both are a fan of 60s mod, the limited edition Alexa set could very well be a weapon for creating the perfect feline flick.
Mary Katrantzou and Moncler
On sale now
Mary Katrantzou's digital print magic is a spectacle wherever it goes. Moncler M, an unexpected collaborative collection by the designer and outerwear brand Moncler is no less extraordinary, comprising of coats and jackets with dramatic feminine silhouettes, textured fabrics and intricate prints.
Karl Lagerfeld and Italia Independent
Release date: end of October
From £150 (177 EUR), italiaindependent.com
Karl Lagerfeld is never seen without his trademark pair of thick black shades, so it was only fitting that he teamed up with Lapo Elkann, the founder of Italian eyewear brand Italia Independent. The creative director has said, ""I love velvet gloves on iron hands and velvet sunglasses... on steel eyes," and we're happy to reveal just that - a range of richly coloured velvet sunglasses. The collection also includes 3 optical frames, all branded with a newly designed Karl Lagerfeld logo.
Junya Watanabe and Loewe
On sale now
£175-£1890, loewe.com
Classic bags meet street-style Punk in this remarkable collaboration between Spanish leather brand Loewe and the innovative Junya Watanabe at Comme des Garçons. The fusion celebrates 400 years of cultural exchange between Spain and Japan and includes a range of clothes and bags which interplay leather and denim. With punk making a revival this season, the collaboration couldn't be better timed.
M.I.A. and Versus
Release date: 16 October
During the Balenciaga show at Paris Fashion Week, M.I.A let it slip she has a new fashion project with Versace and now it's finally been confirmed. The 19-piece range will be humorously inspired by Versace counterfeits. Donatella Versace said, "It's fast, it's noisy, it's brazen and it blends the world of music with that of fashion".