A Silent Manifesto

This past Saturday, more than 300 people took to the streets of San Francisco as part of a silent manifesto in celebration of H&M‘s upcoming collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela. It was a breathtaking sight with participants in all parts of the world, including Vienna, Toronto, Bucharest, Berlin, and Hong Kong, marching along in silence, wearing aprons and carrying signs. The uniforms are iconic to Maison’s design lab approach. As for the silence? Well, the signs were meant to speak for themselves of course. So what do you say, will you be headed to your nearest H&M on November 15th?

(collection found here, images courtesy of H&M)

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28 Comments

  1. Aleksandra wrote:

    I have seen this manifesto on some blogs but honestly have no idea why they made it, really don’t get it. It’s just another H&M collab, they do it twice a year now, no big deal, MMM just sold their ideas to the retailer. I really don’t think “normal” people will wear it. I don’t even think fashionistas will wear longer than two months. It’s just creating big buzz around nothing.

    11.12.12
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  2. 11.12.12
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  3. i was supposed to be a part of the one in nyc but it got cancelled to the sandy aftermath. glad i get to see what i was going to be involved in hehe

    11.12.12
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  4. courtney wrote:

    wow. that’s an incredible way to share the news.

    11.12.12
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  5. Sophie wrote:

    Love the thought and the house-can’t wait to see the collection! However, why is this the first time h&m has done something like this…why not for anna dello russo or any of the other past collabs? Still love it though!

    http://scattergirll.blogspot.com

    11.12.12
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  6. ashleigh wrote:

    This is almost scary, but super cool!

    11.12.12
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  7. Heather wrote:

    This is a great blog. In my opinion one of the most genuine lifestyle blogs! Just stumbled across a hilarious Cupcakes & Cashmere satire blog that I think everyone would love. It still seems pretty new but seems to be going in the most hysterical direction. Enjoy 🙂

    http://pastriesandpolyester.blogspot.com/

    11.12.12
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  8. Jordan wrote:

    This manifesto has nothing to do with it just being another H&M collaboration. It’s more to do with MMM, the house and the brand. It has to do with the Maison’s traditions, rather than it just being some collaboration.
    It was quite stunning an well-done, as is this collection.

    11.12.12
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  9. Amy wrote:

    This is such an exciting collaboration, but frankly, I hate the exclusivity of it. I’m not going to fight off legions of fellow fashion lovers just to own a piece from MMM.

    11.12.12
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  10. Mira wrote:

    The collection is awesome but I won´t head to H&M. Too many people and to much stress <3
    xo

    glamDevils

    11.12.12
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  11. cool way to promote the collection!!! I love it!!!

    http://www.thestelstyle.com

    11.13.12
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  12. Nomadic D wrote:

    I have never lined up for one of these collaborations, but I might just do it. Finishing up a huge all-consuming project on the 15th as well, so it might be the perfect way to celebrate.

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com

    11.13.12
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  13. Cris wrote:

    I love your blog!
    I’m posting looks from Los Angeles and accessories:

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    11.13.12
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  14. Viveca wrote:

    Amazing! Can’t wait to hopefully get my hands on somethings from the collab. I get a feeling that Americans aren’t as enthusiastic about the collection, but I think that in Europe everything will be ripped from the stores instantly!

    http://stainsofpaint.blogspot.com/

    11.13.12
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  15. Malak wrote:

    Its very cool and funny way to share the news
    http://afterbusiness.blogspot.com

    11.13.12
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  16. Don’t know, too far from where I live. But, of course, it was a funny and original way of presenting a new collaboration!

    9lla.it
    fashion – beauty – DIYs

    11.13.12
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  17. Yu Yu wrote:

    Interesting and unique way to advertise this collaboration, but it’s not convincing enough for me to go out there! luckily, I saw some amazing pieces of this collection on a blog that this collection shouldn’t be missed for anything!!!

    11.13.12
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  18. Nadja wrote:

    looks interesting, but i don’t get the “story” behind. just another collection.

    http://www.violetfleur.com

    11.13.12
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  19. oda wrote:

    no i wont! not until HM does something about their workers condition and salary! if you read more into it you will see how outrages it is! and the fashionistas and bloggers in Scandinavia and Europe encourage people not to shop at HM until they have done something

    11.13.12
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  20. I was at the press event of MMM for H&M tonight in Athens and the clothes are amazing. I am so happy I got the red dress… among other things…such a great concept re-producing cool designs from past collections!
    xxx
    Nina
    http://trendsurvivor.com/

    11.13.12
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  21. I don’t really like this line all that much, except I am dying to get my hands on one of the sweet wrapper clutches!

    11.13.12
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  22. anna wrote:

    Found out recently that H&M uses child labor, so shame on them!!!

    11.13.12
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  23. I stood in line this morning at Herald Square. Only waited 1 hour and came home with bags full! The quality is really good on these re-issued garments. I plan on wearing some designs and using others to educate my fashion design students. I don’t normally stand in line for these collabs but it is Margiela dammit! Totally worth the wait.

    11.15.12
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  24. P wrote:

    Maybe not the best time for celebration though. A lot of people in Scandinavia are taking a stand against the H&M label as a recent documentary uncovered inhumane conditions for workers in the company’s factories in South America and Asia.

    I’m not saying that H&M are the only ones doing this kind of thing the their workforce, but we as consumers need to let these kind of labels know how we feel about human rights.

    11.15.12
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  25. conejitoasesino wrote:

    I wish they were marching in silent solidarity for the rights of unions and the protection workers. I will not be rushing to H&M anytime soon. Fashion is not that important and it’s a little offensive to take something as historically poignant as a silent march and apply it to something as frothily insignificant as fashion. It’s very “let them eat cake” and though I love cake sometimes you hav e to realize that it’s just fucking cake.

    11.21.12
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