H&M Throws New York’s Block Party of the Year

H &M took over Mercer Street behind its newly opened SoHo location to throw a community block party that brought together fashion and music in a star-studded event. The day kicked off with two events curated by ColorsxStudios. First off were ‘The Talks,’ a conversation moderated by Venus X with musician Ian Isiah and Leon Sherman of ColorsxStudios, exploring the intersection of music and fashion, especially within the New York City scene. Guests were invited to stay for ‘The Listening Room’ to hear intimate DJ sets from Venus X, Heron Preston, Dam Funk, and Guillaume Berg.

Exiting the store and heading to the street, the block party kicked off with host Amelia Gray making her grand entrance. The event took place right behind the H&M SoHo store and featured a coveted lineup of music with sets by KAYTRANADA, Kitty Ca$h, and Channel Tres.

Guests got to grab slices from New York staple Prince St. Pizza and Topo Chico seltzers as they danced into the evening. The lineup of celebrity sightings continued with Lucky Blue Smith and Nara Smith, Evan Mock, Damson Idris, and Riley Keough in attendance dressed head-to-toe in H&M latest styles, from H2 and H&M Studio collections. This celebration continues the 12 events across 8 different cities as H&M launches a series of fashion drops as part and in celebration of the H&M& initiative and company rebrand.  

The event coincides with the announcement of the second H2 drop, a collaboration in creative partnership with artist and fashion designer Heron Preston. These collections come as a part of the H&M rebrand, exploring a larger focus on self-expression, individuality, and sustainability.

We caught up with surfer, skater, model, and actor Evan Mock at the event to see what pieces he was wearing and hear more about his relationship with Heron and New York City.

SHARP: What pieces are you wearing tonight?

Evan Mock: Well, we’re here at H&M, we’ve got the H2 rugby sport on, the bedazzled jeans, H2 obviously, both from the latest drop.

You have such a multifaceted career; what role do music and fashion play?

Evan Mock: I think it’s everything. From start to finish, with surfing and skateboarding, I think they coincide with each other from the art to the culture to the fashion, they all are one. People from all ends of the world can agree with that, we’ve seen a lot of multifaceted people pull things from all three of those and it’s amazing to see what kids are creating now a days with all of those. They are the new culture, it’s nice to sit back and relax and watch what happens.

The event is hosted in New York and the collection is inspired by New York; how do you feel inspired when you’re in the city?

Evan Mock: I’ve actually never been in a city that I’ve felt has complimented my personality so much. I can’t sit down and New York, there’s always something going on. I have a mellow side to me and you don’t have to go out every night so there is a mellow side to New York as well. I think it’s a great balance of both, you can choose to be in it or not. If you want to do something, there will be something to do every day and every night.

What’s it like seeing Heron’s collection as one of his close friends?

Evan Mock: Yeah, we’ve gone on a few trips around the world, mostly Paris at this point but we’ve had some amazing trips together and it’s cool to see all the things that he’s done and where he’s moved and where he is as a person now. He’s a dad now so it’s cool to see him geek out on his kid and it’s inspiring to see the things that he’s done. I can’t wait to see what he does in the next couple months, or even tomorrow actually.

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