Fashion for All
H&M, originally Hennes (Swedish for ‘hers’), was founded in 1947 by Erling Persson in Vasteras, Sweden. The company expanded into menswear after acquiring Mauritz Widforss in 1968, becoming Hennes & Mauritz. The brand’s democratic fashion philosophy, offering trendy clothing at affordable prices, has made it one of the world’s largest fashion retailers.
Designer Collaborations
H&M pioneered the high-fashion-meets-high-street collaboration model with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004. Subsequent partnerships with designers including Stella McCartney, Comme des Garcons, Balmain, and Giambattista Valli have generated massive media coverage and consumer excitement, blurring the lines between luxury and accessibility.
Sustainability Focus
H&M has positioned sustainability as a core business strategy, launching the Conscious Collection, implementing garment recycling programs, and committing to use 100% recycled or sustainably sourced materials. The company also owns COS, & Other Stories, ARKET, and Weekday, which target different consumer segments.