H&M x Jeff Koons

High street retailer H&M is collaborating with artist Jeff Koons, known for his balloon sculptures, to celebrate its largest US flagship on 5th Avenue in New York.

The Swedish fashion chain has tapped Koons to decorate the 57,000 square foot store in the style of an art exhibition, in celebration of H&M being the fashion retail sponsor of the Whitney Museum of American Art's "Jeff Koons: A Retrospective", which opens at the end of the month.

The museum-inspired store will showcase the retailer’s first-ever artist collaboration and will feature Koon’s work displayed within the store, which boasts five floors, as well as on the storefront exterior.

Commenting on the collaboration, Koons said: "The partnership with H&M was really exciting for me and the chance to showcase one of my most popular works to a new generation of people was inspiring. H&M delivers great fashion season after season and it's nice to see my work at their new store."

Daniel Kulle, US president for H&M, added: "We are proud to celebrate the unveiling of our largest flagship in the US on Fifth Avenue, with the announcement of our sponsorship of the Whitney Museum of American Art and Jeff Koons, who has designed our limited edition Balloon Dog leather handbag. It is such an honour to have the vision of this prolific and world renowned artist on display and as the storefront facade of the new H&M Fifth Avenue."

In addition to decorating the store, Koons has also designed a limited edition Balloon Dog leather handbag for the retailer, which will be carried in select stores across the US including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas as well as online at hm.com from July 17.

Image: Jeff Koons handbag for H&M and a rendering of the H&M flagship opening