How Kelly Wearstler designed her new H&M collection
Swedish retailer H&M is breaking into Milan Design Week with a new collection in collaboration with the award-winning interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Wearstler’s high-profile work, including the interiors of the Proper Hotels , and for celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz and Gwen Stefani, has earned her A-list status in the industry. Now, with a first-of-its-kind collection, H&M is bringing Wearstler’s high-end designs to Main Street. “The constraints were very real. Everything had to work within specific production and shipping parameters. But that actually became a creative driver,” Wearstler tells Fast Company over email. “Working at this scale pushed me to distill my ideasтАФhow to create something artisanal and expressive, but also accessible and adaptable to different ways of living.” [Photo: H&M Home] The 29-item collection of furniture, decorative objects, and textiles that includes a modular sofa, marble serving tray, and carved-wood vase, marks H&M’s first large-scale furniture and small-objects collaboration with a designer. Wearstler, who wanted the pieces to feel collectible, focused on flexibility and modularity to make each object adapt to daily life. “A chair can become a sofa, smaller tables can expand into larger ones. ItтАЩs about creating a system that evolves with the user,” she says. [Photo: H&M Home] Debuting in Milan Wearstler and H&M’s Milan debut will take over the 17th-century baroque palace the Palazzo AcerbiтАФa historic venue usually closed to the publicтАФfrom April 21 to 26. The palazzo’s opulent interior of frescoes and colonnades is set to contrast with Wearstler’s contemporary designs in an installation
Swedish retail giant H&M is making waves at Milan Design Week with a groundbreaking collaboration with renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Known for her high-profile work, including the interiors of Proper Hotels and custom designs for celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Gwen Stefani, Wearstler has earned her place as an A-list designer in the industry. Now, H&M is bringing her luxurious designs to a wider audience with a first-of-its-kind collection that merges high-end aesthetics with accessibility.
The project, which marks H&M's largest-ever collaboration with a designer, features a 29-item collection of furniture, decorative objects, and textiles. The range includes a modular sofa, marble serving tray, and carved-wood vase, all designed with Wearstler's signature style in mind. Speaking to Fast Company, Wearstler shared that the constraints of production and shipping parameters became a creative driver for her. "Working at this scale pushed me to distill my ideasтАФhow to create something artisanal and expressive, but also accessible and adaptable to different ways of living," she explained.
Wearstler's goal was to make each piece feel collectible while also ensuring flexibility and modularity. "A chair can become a sofa, smaller tables can expand into larger ones. It's about creating a system that evolves with the user," she said. This approach allows the collection to cater to diverse living spaces and lifestyles, making it a versatile addition to any home.
The debut of Wearstler and H&M's collaboration will take place at the historic Palazzo Acerbi in Milan, a 17th-century baroque palace typically closed to the public. The opulent interior, adorned with frescoes and colonnades, will serve as the perfect backdrop for Wearstler's contemporary designs in an installation produced by Studio Boum. The event will run from April 21 to 26, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the fusion of old-world grandeur and modern design.
Eve, H&M's creative director, expressed excitement about the milestone. "With this collaboration, we want to make an impact on customers and the design industry alike in a new way. When we discovered the venueтАФthe Palazzo AcerbiтАФeverything fell into place," she said. This partnership not only showcases H&M's commitment to elevating its product offerings but also highlights its ambition to become a player in the world of design.
The collaboration between H&M and Kelly Wearstler is a testament to the power of blending high-end design with mass-market accessibility. By bringing Wearstler's distinctive style to a broader audience, H&M is redefining its role in the fashion and design world, while Wearstler continues to expand her influence beyond the luxury sector. The Milan debut promises to be an unforgettable event, offering a glimpse into the future of design collaboration and its potential to transform both the industry and everyday living spaces.
