Following an exclusive pre-drop of four dresses, H&M is delighted to announce that its collaboration with the Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz will launch in full in March 2020. The 19-piece collection – which spans feminine dresses, tops, skirts and swimwear – features the exotic colour palette, tropical florals and dramatic silhouettes that have become synonymous with Ortiz’s statement-making label. The main collection will launch in selected H&M stores and online on March 12.

The collaboration is a true meeting of minds: 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, examining her archive to revisit her signature tropical prints in re-energised colourways.

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 are palette-cleansing in their simplicity.

“The imprint of Colombia – the rhythm of the Salsa dance, the beauty of the elegant orchids and the effortless palm trees dancing 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”

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"

Maria Östblom, Head of womenswear design at H&M