We’re getting closer to the release of H&M’s latest designer collaboration with London-based womenswear brand Erdem. By now, the entire womenswear and menswear collections (complete with prices) have been released for pre-buying strategies and are visually what one would expect from Erdem – romantic flounces and tons of floral prints. But if you’re not convinced by the aesthetics yet, the much-awaited Baz Luhrmann short film will make you an ERDEM x H&M convert.
We first saw a teaser of what the short film could detail when the ERDEM x H&M collaboration was first announced. Accompanied by an arresting strings-led score, the teaser followed the three protagonists running through gardens and fields while wearing pieces from the collection.
Starring in the 4-minute film are young up-and-coming actors Ruby Dagnall, Tom Rhys Harries and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin. Harry Potter film fans might recognize the latter as an 11-year old Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince and is the real-life nephew of Ralph Fiennes who plays Lord Voldemort in the series.
The Secret Life of Flowers starts out with both boys driving into Reddham Gardens, where according to Harries’ character, “it’s always spring”. A huge mansion filled almost carelessly with a plethora of flowers comes into view, creating a private world where the most beautiful flowers and people (including models Neels Visser and Armando Cabral) are gathered. The boys are greeted by the matriach of the mansion, a striking and regal persona portrayed by Dame Harriet Walters. Ruby Dagnall (Harries’ sister in the film) dramatically makes her entrance during a dinner scene and a love triangle begins to take shape; love blooms in spring after all.
The cinematic production is pure Baz Luhrmann. The sets are enchantingly gorgeous, the actors are brilliant and the exclusive new track by Years & Years (we need the song to be released on Spotify now!) all come together to create a narrative that captures the essence of the ERDEM x H&M collection.
The ERDEM x H&M collection will be released 2 November at H&M Orchard Building and ION Orchard as well as hm.com. Stay tuned for our exclusive interview with designer Erdem Moralioglu in the November issue and on AUGUSTMAN.com.