Sandra Mansour becomes the first Arab designer to collaborate with Swedish giant H&M

For its new collection, H&M has announced its first-ever collaboration with an Arab designer. Here is what you need to know about Beirut-based Sandra Mansour x H&M’s “Fleur de Soleil” collection.

By Joy Saade

H&M recently announced their first-ever collaboration with an Arab designer, none other than Lebanese Sandra Mansour.

Established in 2010, the Sandra Mansour brand has grown to be known for her femme fatale aesthetic with a twist of modernity, and a focus on craftsmanship. Niched in the eclectic neighborhood of Gemmayze, her Beirut atelier is where magic happens, in a city that restlessly nourishes her creative process.

So what’s on the table for her partnership with Swedish giant H&M? Finding inspiration in female artists and references in paintings, Sandra Mansour used nature as a main source of inspiration for her collection named Fleur du Soleil: “The inspiration for the H&M collaboration was nature and natural elements. Especially the sunflower, which represents the cycle of life, and its dependency on sun and light. Poetry and painters inspired the selection of fabric – the dark laces, jacquards, and embroidered organza. With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now,” says Sandra Mansour, CEO, and designer.

Inspiring elegance and empowerment all at the same time, we underline a recurring theme of nature and surrealism in the designs: think romantic tulle and lace, flowy fabrics, ruffles.

“With the Fleur du Soleil collection, I want to talk to women around the world by sending a message of hope, something we really need right now”

Sandra Mansour

Beyond these elements of nature, female painters and artists were also cited as an inspiration and reference for that collection, amongst whom Toyen, Dorothea Tanning, Lena Leclercq and Bibi Zogbé.

Showcasing an earthy, muted color palette going from mushroom greys to ivory and black, paired with handcrafted details ranging from dots to floral and sunflower motifs, the fabrics elevate the pieces and stress on the craftsmanship of the entire process. This gives us a feminine, elegant vibe paired with powerful edginess translated into dresses, blouses, skirts, tailored blazers, a printed t-shirt and hoodies. The variety of pieces contrasts with the one unified theme behind the entirety of the collection.

The collection will be available in selected stores worldwide and online starting August 6, 2020.