First looks of the new Rei Kawakubo designed Comme Des Garcon collection for H&M are starting to trickle in. We preview the womens and mens line for the coming collaboration. The photos look to come from the lookbook direct and offer some of the best shots we have seen of the line. (via fashionista)

View the Comme des Garcon for H&M Collection after the jump.

Big announcement on the business wire this morning. “Comme des Garçons’ founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo will create this autumn’s guest designer collection at H&M… Rei Kawakubo, famous and admired for her creativity and artistry, will design a women’s and a men’s collection, with some pieces for children too. Accessories and an exclusive unisex fragrance will also be included in the collection…

The world launch of the collection will be at the opening of H&M’s second store in Tokyo, Japan, in the beginning of November. Launch date for other H&M markets will be a few days later.”

H&M’s team-up with designer, Rei Kawakubo, is a major step for H&M in the Japanese market and the Harajuku specifically, which is beginning to see an influx of big retail establishments moving into grounds once held by smaller, niche labels.

Businessweek.com is reporting that Sweden’s fashion world is becoming a little smaller. Hennes & Mauritz AB (better known as H&M) has purchased Fabric Scandinavia AB, makers of Cheap Money denim.

The deal which would give H&M a 60% stake in Fabric Scandinavia also includes retail outlets Monki and Weekday.

One can only assume that the purchase is meant to help strengthen H&M’s denim offering inside their retail chains, as they continue to compete with the likes of GAP and UNIQLO worldwide.