The playfully chic HA HA HA collection is a dialog between the Italian house’s creative director and the British singer-songwriter and actor
Words by ELIZABETH VARNELL
The synthesis of a longstanding friendship, Alessandro Michele and Harry Styles’ new HA HA HA capsule for Gucci is a dream wardrobe for the pair, a play on their first initials, and a nod to the laughing face emoji scattered through their countless conversations over the years. The collection, comprised of 24 playful looks, debuted during men’s fashion week in Milan and neatly merges both men’s personal styles, tapping a cross teddy bear—arms folded and frown firmly in place—as a logo. Launching in-store and online are ready-to-wear pieces in a host of vibrant hues, including a yellow-and-white gingham wool suit with a decidedly 1970s cut printed with cherries and lambs. The cute wooly creatures evoke a 2019 cruise collection campaign image shot by longterm Gucci collaborator Glen Luchford of Styles holding a lamb across his shoulders, and there are a number of other inside jokes throughout the capsule.
There’s a childlike whimsy in maxi coats, pinstripe jackets, double-breasted tweed or corduroy suits, sweater vests and flared pants, not to mention the requisite white tank top (embroidered with a heart) and teddy bear pajamas. Reinvented bags—including the Jackie 1961 purse covered in metal eyelets—plus newsboy caps, necklaces, pins, sunglasses, scarves and shoes round out the offerings.
Styles and Michele playfully call the capsule’s concept a tale of vanity set free. There are bits of Styles’ songs writ large across some of the garments. T-shirts with a pair of bunnies include a line, “You’ve got my devotion,” from 2019’s “Fine Line.” Antique-pink cashmere sweaters are printed with lyrics “I want more berries and that summer feelin’” from another 2019 Styles’ tune, “Watermelon Sugar.” The collection is also a reminder of a creative partnership that continues to evolve. The Cheshire-raised former member of One Direction first wore a floral suit from Michele’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection for Gucci to the American Music Awards in 2015, and he again donned the designer—a petal pink suit—for his final performance with the group. As his solo career continues to skyrocket, Styles has fronted numerous Gucci launches and relied on Michele for his fluid and theatrical vision, developing his own bold look along the way. Now the two are merging their version of the avant-garde for everyday use, down to bright cotton socks emblazoned with an intarsia A. 347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-3451.
November 7, 2022
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