H&M To Launch Australia-Exclusive Collection Along With Melbourne Flagship Store Opening
International apparel chain H&M is set to open in Melbourne's GPO building in March 2014. Along with its debut Down Under is the launch of a capsule collection that will be exclusively available in Australia.
Blog site Shop Til You Drop reported that the collection is entitled, "Australia Exclusive," and is inspired by "the latest global trends ... with the Australian lifestyle in mind."
FabSugar also reported that the collection will consist of apparel and accessories for both men and women.
In September, H&M announced via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts that it will arrive in Australia in March 2014, bypassing the usual press statement for maximum impact on its fans. Further updates fed the Aussies' anticipation for the brand's arrival, including the opening of its first store in Melbourne's GPO building.
"It will be one of H&M's largest stores globally," H&M Country Manager Hans Andersson said. "We look forward to bringing fashion and quality at the best price to the Australian customers."
Meanwhile, Sam Curry of ISPT, which owns and operates Melbourne's GPO, expressed the company's anticipation for the establishment of the retail giant in its property.
"We are delighted to have this opportunity to introduce such a famous and highly anticipated international fashion retailer to the Australian market. The H&M flagship at GPO will truly differentiate the city of Melbourne as a retail destination benefitting shoppers and other retailers alike."
First opened in Sweden in 1949, H&M has grown to be a popular retail destination for affordable high street apparel with 2,800 stores worldwide. The brand is also famous for its collaboration with designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Versace. It has also made a swimwear line in collaboration with Australia-born Singer Kylie Minogue.
The brand's opening in Melbourne is just the start of the series of overseas brands making its way Down Under in 2014. London-based apparel brand All Saints and Japanese multiproduct label Muji are some of the identified stores to open in Australia, with the latter to launch its first outlet at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.