Get Your Salsa Groove On with the Johanna Ortiz X H&M Collaboration

Following an exclusive pre-drop of four dresses, H&M announces its collaboration with the Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, and will launch the fruits of working together this March 2020. The 19-piece collection, which spans feminine dresses, tops, skirts and swimwear, features an exotic colour palette, tropical florals, and dramatic silhouettes that have become synonymous with Ortiz’s statement-making label.

The H&M design team travelled to Ortiz’s native Cali – also known as Colombia’s Salsa capital – to fully comprehend the complex construction behind the designer’s ultra-flattering designs. Hosted by Johanna in her elegantly decorated home, the team was immersed in Ortiz’s sophisticated bohemian world. The team examined her archive while revisiting her signature tropical prints.

“The imprint of Colombia – the rhythm of the Salsa dance, the beauty of the elegant orchids and the palm trees dancing effortlessly in a balmy pink sunset – can be felt in every Johanna Ortiz design. I’m thrilled to be able to infuse this H&M collection with effortless glamour, and introduce some Latin American festivity to the H&M customer’s wardrobe. I hope customers wear the pieces barefoot and with a beautiful flower in their hair,” says Johanna Ortiz, designer and CEO.

“Johanna Ortiz has a gift for creating confident, colourful designs that make you want to dance. This collection is both a celebration of Colombia’s creative history and craftsmanship, and an opportunity to bring Johanna’s signature feminine styles to our customers. The reaction to the pre-drop was very positive, and now the wait is over, we can’t wait to see how our customers will style this exciting collection,” says Maria Östblom, Head of womenswear design at H&M.

Key pieces include the vibrant red floral maxi dress, the magenta midi dress in broderie anglaise, the black patterned floor-length column dress in viscose crepe – one of Ortiz’s personal favourites – and the ruffled wrap skirt in black and white cotton-poplin. Extravagant ruffles are an important design feature, even appearing on asymmetric swimsuits. There are also some more pared-back styles, including a cotton-poplin tunic shirt and monochromatic blouses, which are palette-cleansing in their simplicity.