continued

   H&M designer Margaretha van den Bosch, who won a Swedish design award this year, says the 2001 collection is about restrained elegance. Meanwhile, ‘little decorative elements—small charms, for example—add a festive, slightly Victorian touch to the collection,’ says Ms van den Bosch.
   Lace has made a comeback as far as H&M's range is concerned—not that it ever really departed from rivals’ lines. However, the material is in keeping with the more traditional looks for this season, contrasted by Lurex (in the lace itself) and glittering stones on the shoulder straps. The emphasis is on comfort, says van den Bosch, coupled with H&M's usual value for money.
   The colour scale includes strong but saturated shades such as midnight blue, bright red, black, silver-grey and silver.

continued