Matthew Williamson is launching a menswear line in earnest now. The new pieces due out this Spring are casual, but luxe – the kind of thing a girl would borrow from her mate.

February will see the debut at retail of Williamson’s first men’s capsule collection, featuring items such as cashmere sweaters in vivid green, electric blue and deep pink; silver gray cotton silk T-shirts with an embellished beetle motif and silk and wool scarves adorned with star and paisley prints. “I’d wanted to do men’s wear for a long time,” said Williamson, adding that if the initial spring collection is well received, he’ll expand the line into “suits, shirts and jackets.”

Earlier this year, Williamson tested the men’s wear waters when he produced a few men’s looks as part of the collection he designed for H&M, a project he described as “kind of a starting point” for his own men’s collection. Prices for Williamson’s men’s line start at 195 pounds, or $310 at current exchange, for a printed wool scarf and run up to 450 pounds, or $717, for a printed cashmere sweater. The collection will be sold at Williamson’s stores in London, New York and Dubai and at the label’s online store beginning next month, and also will be carried at Harrods’ designer men’s wear department in London.

Source: WWD.com

Katy Perry vs. Nicky Hilton in Matthew Williamson for H&M peacock dress.

It’s not really a fair fight, considering Katy Perry’s status as a Cult icon. She’s the clear winner, with accessories that compliment the dress, rather than doggedly match it, as do Hilton’s blue shoes and peacock clutch.

Nicky Hilton does, however, win in the hair and makeup department by a thin margin. The softer face and braided hair are a good foil to the razzle dazzle of the dress.

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