In addition to joining the ranks of the celebrities who contribute designs each year for the H&M collaboration with Designers Against AIDS, and people like Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz (you may have heard of a little collection between the two), five pieces will be chosen to grace the front of t-shirts sold in H&M’s US stores. Winning artists will also receive a $500 gift card, a $2000 stipend and a window display at H&M’s 42nd Street New York store.

“The 25 pieces with the most votes will be showcased to our esteemed panel of judges who will use their expertise to choose the top 5.”

And who are these esteemed judges? The jury includes Bryan Boy (side note: what fashion jury isn’t he on these days? At this rate, we expect to see a BryanBoy episode of Project Runway, America’s Next Top Model and possibly RuPaul’s Drag Race soon), Fashion Bomb editor Claire Sulmers, Allison McNamara of FabSugar TV, Mark Schoneveld of YVYNYL and Alexander Gilkes of the forthcoming online art startup Paddle8.

So if your t-shirt art needs a bigger stage than Threadless, or you just prefer the idea of starting a conversation out with “when I collaborated with H&M…” click on over and make your mark. Good luck!

Levi’s and H&M are teaming up with the International Textile Garment & Leather Workers†Federation to ban sandblasting for apparel products (denim and heavier materials are most likely to receive the treatment), and it’s because of a disturbing trend.

Not a fashion one, though if you’re not a fan of the sandblasted look you may already be in agreement.

“Between 2005 and 2009, 40 garment workers in Turkey reportedly died from a lung disease caused by exposure to crystalline silica, a substance used to make sandblasted denim. As a result, the Turkish government outlawed the practice; last year, Levi’s and H&M stopped using sandblasted products.” {The Cut}

Hopefully the pairing adds weight to the 2009 decision of H&M and Levi’s not to purchase or sell sandblasted products, when the companies determined that safe labor practices were skirted with suppliers and subcontracters.

Treehugger reports that “when the Turkish Health Ministry prohibited the practice in 2009, many firms simply picked up stakes and made new deals in less-stringent Pakistan, Egypt and Syria.”

Professor Zeki Kılıçaslan, a chest physician at Istanbul University, says that sandblasting is “a very profitable job because it adds a value of 50 percent to a product.” {Treehugger}

When continuously inhaled, crystalline silica dust can get stuck in lungs and irritate them, reducing lung capacity and leading to bronchitis or cancer. It wasn’t specified which disease killed the Turkish workers, but it’s definitely worth eliminating the practice if it means reducing the risk of garment workers becoming fashion victims.

Alexander McQueen Moves Forward

Goodbye Mr. McQueen, hello Ms. Burton. Long live McQueen.

Style.com covered the passing of Alexander McQueen and the showing of the final collection he designed, but something that was equally important this year was the success of Sarah Burtonâ€s first show as the new designer for the McQueen label. The passing of such a genius creative mind was indeed tragic, and the showing of McQueenâ€s last collection was a special moment, but Burtonâ€s signal that the brand can honor McQueenâ€s legacy while moving forward was absolutely stellar.

John Gallianoâ€s Dior Couture Wows

Dior haute couture was in full bloom this year when John Galliano showed his Spring 2011 collection of flower-inspired looks. The imagery and execution of the designs combined with the high, tulip-like hair of the models for a full package display of gorgeousness and perhaps our favorite moment in fashion of 2010.

We’re supporting the lovely little black dress covered in bows (the one that quells a chic catfight in the promotional video for the H&M collection), though you can view and bid on all 24 looks (19 outifts, 5 sketches by Alber Elbaz) at the dedicated Lanvin for H&M website. Bidding closes at 11:59pm CET (5:59pm EST), so be quick! Supporting children in need, and promoting fashion diplomacy? That’s a look we’re all for.

If you’ve already voted, and are over the political stories, we sure hope you like Lanvin, H&M or both. H&M’s collaboration with Lanvin, the oldest French fashion house in operation, seems to be the hottest buzz in the fashion community (including our coverage, here).

The new collection will be reviewed by American press sometime today, while the U.K. and Japan have already seen the stellar lineup.

While the pieces haven’t hit store shelves just yet, it is highly-anticipated. From the photos, lookbooks, videos and advertisements there is no doubt items will fly off shelves in a matter of seconds.

Cocktail and party dresses overwhelm the line. Sweetheart necklines, frills, belting, rouching, tiers, pleats, faux furs, exotic prints, bows, silks, metallics, buttons, florals and beads create a colorful, youthful feel, creating a strong, feminine silhouette.

One thing we love about Lanvin is the the femininity and elegance of their exquisitely-crafted apparel.

When asked about how the project came together Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz comments, “When H&M approached us to do this collaboration, they asked if I could actually translate the dream that we created at Lanvin to a bigger audience. It wasn’t a project to about a dress for less. I think I loved the idea that H&M was going luxury rather than Lanvin is going public. I thought it was a smart concept, so I said I do.” {You Tube}

Alber Elbaz has definitely not disappointed. The stylish and colorful pieces are easily mixed and matched and transition from day to night effortlessly. The YouTube video for the Fall Winter 2010/2011 collection is stunning and makes you want to run out on November 20th and buy everything! It all looks so good we can’t wait to get our hands on a few of things. The leopard print heels and fur-trimmed vests are the perfect combo for a night out this season and the short and frilly cocktail numbers are perfectly festive for the holidays.

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

While this is really a collaboration that’s all about the clothes, the shoes are nothing short of perfect and the trinkets are still in line with the quirky glamor of the brand. Nothing feels out of place, but unlike the shoes, the leather gloves are probably the only “I’d fight for this” accessory out of the bunch. Photos don’t ever tell 100% of the story as far as materials and clothing go. While the ruffles and bows seem to have translated amazingly for the mass market collaboration, and the shoes could blend in with their high end counterparts, the one weak area seems to be the jewelry. The vast majority of Lanvin’s jewelry is costume, so it’s a little disappointing to see things that could easily be part of the normal lineup at Claire’s.

Considering the strength of the dresses though, that definitely wouldn’t convince anyone to sit this collaboration out though.

Update: Necklaces range from $29.95 (the chain and rhinestone necklace) to $49.95 (the pearl and sequin flower necklace), sunglasses will be $19.95  and the gloves will be $49.95

Lanvin for H&M Jewelry, Bags & Accessories

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

The frayed edges on the ribbons, the rhinestone studded heels topping patent leather or pretty prints are all so distinctly Lanvin that the H&M fans are bound to be fighting it out with the fashion fans who pay full price for the label.

Update: The shoes will retail for $99

Lanvin for H&M Shoes

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

While the shopping on the menswear side may not be as frenzied, we can bet there will still be a healthy amount of competition for guys looking to step up their style with tuxedo shirts and jackets, as well as girlfriends and sisters going for holiday gifts.

Lanvin for H&M Menswear

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M dresses, jackets, skirts, tees & tops here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

Honestly, there’s not one item we wouldn’t take, but it will probably be difficult to get them all. Not just for the fact that even H&M prices add up, but with the anticipation for this collection will undoubtedly drive a horde of other shoppers into stores to make it impossible for you to claim one of everything. And just how much will it cost to get your hands on your own Lanvin? Well, fishnet tights will be $9.95 but the dresses will go up to $249. Accessories will go for $19.95 and t-shirts will start at $39.95 {NY Daily News}. No word on the jackets, but if we’re taking the UK prices into consideration, expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $250 for those as well. While that’s not exactly cheap, the upside is that the dresses generally don’t look it either.

Enough of the gloom though, here are the dresses, jackets, skirts, tees and tops

Update: Dresses range from $149 to $249, with most priced at $199. Coats are $199 to $349.

Lanvin for H&M Dresses, Tees & Tops, Skirts and Jackets

from the collection. Put your attack plan together now, and let us know which ones you’ll be going after first.

Photos via Vogue UK

View the Lanvin for H&M menswear here

View the Lanvin for H&M shoes here

View the Lanvin for H&M jewelry, bags and accessories here

After the leggings boom a few months back, along came jeggings. They’re the weird cross between jeans and leggings. They haven’t taken off quite like good ol’ leggings, but companies like H&M don’t want to stop trying.

The super-retailer, whose lean distribution will allow it to continue offering trendy pieces at lower prices,  has introduced a new variation called “treggings”, a mix of trousers and leggings. The treggings resemble corduroy, leather and wool {The Gloss}, a seemingly good transition to fall. The idea is that you would wear them as regular pants, but get the benefit of the stretch and comfort fit of wearing leggings. They look good in the ad, and it’s enough to send us to stores to try out a pair. Still, leggings aren’t pants – even if they attempt to look like them, so keep that in mind when styling ladies.

As it turns out though, H&M aren’t the masterminds behind this genious idea as a quick Google search reveals that blogger Susie Bubble has been talking about Treggings since 2007. {Racked} This year designers like Miu Miu featured the trend in their Fall 2010 collection.