On Thursday, H&M launched its first-ever collaboration with a designer from Mexico: Lorena Saravia, known locally for her modern interpretation of Mexican fashion, incorporates her cultural heritage into luxurious, well-crafted wardrobe staples for strong women. The Stockholm-based global retailer pulled out all the stops when it came to supporting the launch, hosting international press, influencers and celebrities on a multi-day Mexico City trip to experience local culture, meet Saravia in her studio and enjoy an extravagant launch party featuring performances, a decadent dinner by Contramar chef Gabriela Cámara and lots of tequila. Before that, we sat down with Saravia and H&M Creative Advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson.

“We have done these more local collaborations before with Rokh from Korea, for example, Anamika [Khanna] from India. So we knew we wanted to do something with a Mexican designer,” explains Johansson of the collaboration’s genesis. “Our local Mexican team here at H&M, they knew about Lorena and they thought it was going to be the perfect match, which it was.” From their initial conversations, she and Saravia “shared the same values and the same idea of what we wanted to do together.”

“It started with beautiful conversations of what fashion meant for us and how did we want to communicate a collaboration with a Mexican designer?” Saravia adds. “Also, for me it was really important to see [how important it was to] the [H&M] team to respect the DNA of the brand and create something that really had the Mexican tradition and processes and the craftsmanship of Mexico and the Mexican contemporary [vision] that I wanted to communicate as well.”

Modern Mexican fashion designers like Saravia haven’t enjoyed the same global recognition or straightforward career paths as their American and European counterparts. She says that, when she decided she wanted to be a designer, “There was not a career in fashion in Mexico at the time.” Her father wanted her to get a degree, so she went to design school in Spain. During the summers, she would return home and work for a Mexican designer from “the old generation of designers” who made custom dresses. Today, he’s a partner in her brand.

Even though Lorena Saravia has been operating in Mexico City for 15 years now, the designer feels that Mexico’s fashion industry is still in its nascency. But with H&M’s massive, global spotlight, she’s hopeful about its future.

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“I think we are part of this new generation of Mexican designers that are changing the industry,” she says. “We are creating an industry and we are offering brands to the world that have the same quality as many, many brands. This is a success story, not only for me, but for Mexican fashion.”

Watch the video above for more from our time with Saravia and peruse the full collaborative collection below.

Lorena Saravia x H&M Fringed Suede Skirt, $429, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M V-Hem Twill Skirt, $75, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Chaps-Layered Pants, $140, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Pleat-Front Twill Pants, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Flared Slit-Front Jeans, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Voluminous Twill Jacket, $199, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Open-Back Satin Blouse $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Linen-Blend Blouse, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Layered Top, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Linen-Blend Dress, $119, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Satin Maxi Dress, $169, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Perforated-Skirt Dress, $329, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Asymmetric Turtleneck Sweater, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Hoodie With Motif, $75, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Sweatshirt With Motif, $60, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M T-Shirt With Motif, $50, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Fitted T-Shirt With Motif, $40, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Asymmetric Satin Halterneck Top, $80, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Draped Satin Skirt, $80, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Twisted-Detail Tank Top, $50, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Lion Earrings, $40, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Western-Inspired Wool Hat, $60, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Cotton Shawl With Fringe, $80, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Leather Belt, $99, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Braided Suede Clutch Bag, $119, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Motif-Detail Tote Bag, $60, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Western-Inspired Suede Boots, $269, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Lorena Saravia x H&M Fringed Suede Cape Jacket, $549, available here. Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Disclosure: H&M paid for my travel and accommodations in Mexico City to attend this event.

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