H&M announces new collaboration with Brock Collection launching June 1

If you missed out on the last H&M designer collaboration with Simone Rocha, which sold out in hours, then do not fear, another big name tie-up is about to launch.

Created by Brock Collection, the new capsule will launch on June 1, and will feature a range of women's dresses, separates, denim and accessories.

It will be available in selected stores only, including in the UAE, but also online.

A slouchy washed denim bag from the Brock Collection X H&M. Courtesy H&M

Hailing from New York, this design duo is known for its pretty, vintage-inspired pieces that are as wearable as they are charming.

Built on New York polish mixed with the laidback vibe of Los Angeles, the result is feminine yet very modern.

If the name is unfamiliar, it is the brand behind the snappy look Adele wore to host Saturday Night Live in October 2020.

Oversized washed denim from the Brock Collection X H&M. Courtesy H&M

For the H&M collection, think corset-style tops and country floral, mixed with washed denim. There are summer dresses with pretty ribbon shoulder ties, bias-cut slip dresses trimmed with lace and volume filled skirts.

The denim arrives in a mid-washed colour, as mum-cut jeans and super slouchy bags. Dramatic balloon sleeves appear, so do pretty ruffles, all in tones of pale pink, cream, faded blue and black.

Best of all, thanks to Brock Collection's focus on sustainable fabrics, the H&M line is made with organic linen, recycled cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel, a type of rayon.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Brock Collection, who are well-known for their luxe craftsmanship, impeccable fits and structures, and have quite the celebrity following,” said Maria Ostblom, head of design for H&M.

Pleated slippers from the Brock Collection X H&M. Courtesy H&M

“But there’s also beauty in the fact that their designs always feel down-to-earth, thoughtful and easy to wear – I believe that’s the key to their success. We want to celebrate romance and make it accessible to the many. By adding more sustainable materials, it creates for a collaboration I hope our customers around the world will fall in love with."

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Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”