Five items you need from the KENZO X H&M collection

While many of us would agree ‘collaboration’ has become a bit of a hackneyed concept in the fashion world, few could deny that the build-up and anticipation pre-release of H&M’s annual designer alliances is nothing less than shopping nirvana, giving an international audience a chance to get their hands on affordable designer clothes.

Having worked their way through countless impressive, and very successful joint ventures, including; Versace, Balmain, Lanvin, Margiela and Karl Lagerfeld, the high-street-giant’s cooperative lines stand alone in never failing to make an impact, with cues of people camping out overnight to be first in line so as not to be disappointed, with some items selling out in-store and online, internationally within minutes of becoming available.

It's a frenzy all right and you can expect the same when the brand's latest alliance, KENZO X H&M, makes its debut in just a couple of days on 3 November at 250 selected stores worldwide and online. But before you go sharpening those elbows and joining the queues, we're here to help point you in the direction of the five most coveted pieces to add high-fashion clout to your winter wardrobe.

Jungle T-shirt, £24.99

Founded by eponymous designer Kenzo Takada back in 1970, Lim and Leon are acknowledged as bringing an element of fun back to the label. For the H&M line they created a new and unique patchwork logo, adapted from the original archive; reading KENZO JUNGLE PARIS in a circle around a tiger. This will become a collector’s item.

Sweatshirt with contrast sleeves, £59.99

There is a level of artisan craftsmanship in the KENZO X H&M collection that is quite unique from any of the other designer collaborations the chain store has produced before. This sweatshirt features a hand beaded tiger and logo on the front, as well as patchwork sleeves in a combination of prints with zip details.

Rucksack, £119.99

Fun meets functionality in the form of a rucksack with an oversized mesh print (a unique print to this collection) on black and detailed with straps in a contrast tiger stripe print. This item was an immediate success when it made a brief appearance at a preview pop-up shop in New York following a jaw-dropping presentation of the collection in Manhattan, directed by Jean Paul Goude.

Zip-up puffa jacket, £199.99

If you are looking for an investment piece that will hold its value then this is the item for you. Several prints are combined in this statement-making jacket, which also features zips with tiger heads as zip pulls. We can guarantee if you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these, it will appreciate in value meaning you can wear it for a season and then get your money back (and some) by selling it on once you have become bored with it.

Fishtail Parka, £199.99

If the explosive use of colour and statement making print in this collection is a bit much for your tastes, then this khaki coat is the item you should make a beeline for. Not only does it tap into the military trend that is set to be big again this winter, it subtly nods towards the Kenzo DNA with a removable printed collar.

KENZO X H&M will be releases 3 November