H&M Logo PNG
The trendy Swedish brand aims to be accessible to most consumers, so H&M chose a simple logo. It consists of only two letters from the company’s abbreviated name and a connecting ampersand between them. The focus on the consumer and the simplicity of the H&M logo has borne fruit: the clothing manufacturer has gained widespread popularity. Of course, the quality of the products is not the least consideration.
H&M: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1947 |
| Founder: | Erling Persson |
| Headquarters: | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Website: | hm.com |
Meaning and History
The evolution of this brand’s logo began with the word “Hennes.” This word was on the company’s first version of the logo. Translated from Swedish, it meant “She,” which declared itself on the original emblem. This continued until the brand’s founder bought another retailer – a competing trade network.
It was then that the company’s name changed to Hennes & Mauritz, and with it, the logo. At the same time, designers added a graphical element to the verbal designation. But gradually, the phrase “narrowed” down to two letters, which laid the foundation for a recognizable image. The retail chain has three main logo variants and one variation.
What is H&M?
This is a Swedish mass-market retailer that has developed a unique fast-fashion model, offering clothing for the whole family at affordable prices. Under several brands, including a premium line and a youth-oriented collection, it provides a wide range of products, from basic apparel and trendy collections to home goods, cosmetics, and accessories. A distinctive feature is regular collaborations with renowned designers and companies to create limited-edition collections that make designer fashion accessible to a wider audience. The company also produces its lines of children’s clothing, sportswear, and underwear.
1947 – 1968
In the year of foundation, the company received a simple logo: a light name on a dark background. The word “Hennes” is written in italics and positioned at an angle, stretched upwards. This is an interesting psychological technique, as optimists write just like this, directing the end of the line not down but upwards.
The letters “H” and “S” are uppercase, and the rest are lowercase. Following the word are two lines, so the inscription looks as if it is nailed to the rails. This impression is created thanks to the 3D effect in which the logo is made. The darkening of the field is uneven, with intensification along the upper and right edges.
1968 – 1999
Interestingly, two emblems appeared almost immediately during this period: one in an extended version and another in a minimalist one. The full symbolism included a graphic and textual part. This was the double name “Hennes Mauritz,” obtained after another company joined the main one. The words are placed separately from each other to the left and right of the trademark and are executed in a thin font in the upper case. Between them is the abbreviation “H&S,” which is divided by an ampersand and placed in an uneven circle.
The second logo is short and bright. If the first version is presented in black and white, this one is in rich red. It contains the letters “H & S,” executed with careless brush strokes – just like in the previous version.
1999 – today
The logo of that time acquired saturated colors: designers replaced scarlet with dark red. The letters were slightly adjusted and elongated, and the tilt to the right was slightly increased.
H&M: Interesting Facts
H&M is a big company that sells clothes for adults, teens, and kids. They have stores all over the world.
- How It Started: Back in 1947, in Sweden, Erling Persson opened a store just for women’s clothes called “Hennes.” Later, they started selling men’s and kids’ clothes after buying another store and changing the name to H&M.
- All Over the World: H&M is everywhere, with thousands of stores in over 60 countries. They try to fit in with what people like in different places.
- Caring for the Planet: H&M is trying to be good for the environment. They’ve made clothes from things that are better for the earth, like organic cotton, and they’re working on not harming the planet by 2040.
- Working with Famous Designers: They make special clothes with big-name designers so more people can afford to wear stylish things.
- Recycling Clothes: Since 2013, H&M has let people bring old clothes to their stores to be recycled, helping reduce waste.
- Using New Tech: They’re using cool technology to improve shopping, like using AI to keep track of stuff and AR in their app to see how things look.
- H&M Foundation: The owners of H&M also started a foundation to help with important issues like education, clean water, and fair treatment.
- More than Just H&M: They also own other brands, each with its styles, like COS and Monki.
- Art Stuff: H&M has worked with artists and museums to make special clothes and support art shows.
- Cool Stores: They’re always trying new things with their stores, like making them look unique and using technology to make shopping easier.
H&M mixes fashion that’s easy to buy with efforts to be better for the planet, and they keep trying new things to stay interesting.
Font and Colors
The modern version consists only of letters and an ampersand, so the developers paid great attention to the font. It is individual and italicized. Its distinctive feature is the crossbar of the letter “H,” which is much wider than usual in classic writing and extends beyond the vertical sides. In particular, the developers focused on simplicity, energy, youth, and passion, which influenced the choice of color.
The “H&M” inscription on the logo is done in a personalized font. The letters are drawn, not printed; the strokes are of uneven thickness and resemble brush strokes. The horizontal bar of the letter “H” is slanted and extends far beyond the two vertical lines. Although the font was created specifically for the company, it vaguely resembles Dom Diagonal by Peter Dombrizian.
As for colors, H&M prefers bright reds and whites. The first is used for the inscription, and the second serves as a contrasting background. But it wasn’t always so: until 1968, the emblem was black and white.
H&M color codes
| Venetian Red | Hex color: | #cc071e |
|---|---|---|
| RGB: | 204 7 30 | |
| CMYK: | 0 97 85 20 | |
| Pantone: | PMS 1795 C |
FAQ
What does the H&M logo mean?
The H&M logo embodies the company itself, as it contains nothing but its name. The casual yet stylish design of the inscription symbolizes youth and energy, as the brand’s main target audience is students and teenagers.
Who created the H&M logo?
Who created the original H&M logo is not disclosed. It is only known that in 1999, it was updated by designers from an independent Swedish agency, BVD. They slightly adjusted the lines, making the letters more harmonious.
Why is the H&M logo red?
The creators of the H&M logo made it red to make it bright and memorable. Thanks to such a color solution, the symbol immediately attracts attention.
What does the H&M slogan represent?
One of the latest H&M slogans is “I love GBV.” The abbreviation hides the name of the designer Giambattista Valli, although the public associates “GBV” with gender-based violence, which causes scandals.
