When Jonathan Saunders was announced as the chief creative officer of &Other Stories last year, it sent a frisson of excitement through the fashion industry. This is a man whose collections are still remembered at London Fashion Week, a designer whose talent for print and colour—exuberant and easy to fall in love with—is still missed on the schedule today.
His appointment last year marked a growing number of high-fashion designers entering the high street space: from Clare Waight Keller, who hass joined Uniqlo, as well as Aaron Esh, who last year was announced as the chief creative officer at AllSaints. This makes sense. The British high street is something of an institution, with heritage brands that rival its most historical designer labels. Doesn't it make sense for affordable names—and not just those based in the UK—to want the brightest design talent in the driving seat?
& Other Stories, which is part of Sweden's H&M Group, has just released its first collection by Saunders—and long-time fans will recognise his signatures. “This collection and campaign are inspired by the energy of '80s and '90s new-wave youth culture—girls together in an apartment, connection, friendship, and honesty," he said in the accompanying press release. "Colour is key: optimistic, graphic, and stimulating, bringing warmth and emotion into the space.”
The colour palette feels exactly right for now, with tomato, chartreuse and pink, as well as the exact primary blue that's just been spotted at Milan Fashion Week. These can all be mixed with neutrals—the collection has plenty of hard-working blazers, trousers and skirts in easy-to-wear shades of beige, dark brown and mole—and still deliver plenty of pop.
Saunders has a knack for silhouettes, with flaring knee-length skirts, pleated barrel-leg trousers and cropped jackets feeling particularly spring-y.
If recently you've found yourself leaning less towards & Other Stories, instead tending towards its older sibling COS, Saunders' debut will make you rethink your favourite member of the fashion family.
Shop The Collection
Cropped and zippered, this boxy leather jacket is perfect for transitioning into spring.
Sometimes the easiest way to make an outfit pop is with the perfectly-chosen plus one. This geometric scarf, in one of this season's most hyped colours, is the way to do it.
This collection's basics are practical yet playful, like the neckline on this cardigan, which is not too shallow, not too deep.
I've noticed lots of pleat-leg trousers on the market, but this version might be the best pair for quality versus affordability.
This lofty block heel will be comfortable, plus the colour-blocked toe cap is a nice touch.
This Spring jacket—a hooded anorak that can be paired with barrel-leg trousers but also skirts—might be the ultimate considering how much rain we've experienced this year.
Primary blue has been trending in Milan, but you can get the jump on next season via this short-sleeved knit.
The collection's many cropped jackets would look sharp with this straight-up-and-down denim skirt.
Perhaps you don't need another pair of loafers, but this burgundy version, complete with squared-off toe is particularly special.
The particular grey of this jacket is perfect for pink, chartreuse and tomato, three of the collection's most tempting shades.
Giant sunglasses, that stretch from cheek-to-brow, are everything this Spring, especially if they come with a tickled-pink tint.
Speaking of pink, this collarless button-down will breathe new life into your shirting.
Knee-length is one of the collection's most popular hemlines—and it's particularly effective on this flaring khaki skirt.
Instead of buckles or elastic, & Other Stories' ballet flats come with double straps.
Singled-breasted and sublimely minimal, this blazer ticks all the right boxes in our book.
Saunders is known for his prowess with pattern—and this diagonally-striped knit proves it's still a gift.
These pleated trousers, high-waisted and polished to perfection, could be paired with a cardigan now and a tee in bare-arms weather.
