What Was I Wearing: Versace for H&M launch

For an early morning start and the prospect of standing around in a queue in the cold for a couple of hours, I had two requirements for my outfit for the Versace for H&M launch yesterday, warmth and comfort:

I was wearing: top from Gap, jumper from H&M, jeans by Gap, necklaces from Tiffancy & Co and Marc by Marc Jacobs; faux fur wedges by Ravel (c/o Spartoo).

How amazing are the wedges? They are officially my shoe of the winter. Wedges? Check. Faux fur? Check. What is not to love? I like to think of them as my stylish UGG boots:

I also added my Next aviator jacket, a neck warmer from M&S, arm warmers from H&M and a Starbucks Red Cup to make sure I kept warm and cosy in the cold morning.

What are your essential pieces for keeping the cold out this winter?

VERSACE for H&M: the launch, the shopping, the stories, the tweets

This morning I was up bright and early and on my way into town long before I’m even usually thinking about getting out of bed. Why? Well, the hype surrounding the Versace for H&M launch and the fact that Cardiff’s St David’s 2 store was one of only 6 outside of London to even have the collection, was too much to pass up. So I joined the queue:

To be honest, the queue was not quite as big as I was expecting it to be. We entertained ourselves with steaming cups of coffee and the pretty window display:

Just before 9 we were given our wristbands which gave us our 10 minute alloted time slot to buy from the collection. We were given a 9.50 – 10am slot and so we trotted off for some breakfast while we waited.

I hadn’t really gone with a plan of what to buy or what I wanted. I decided to see what was left and make a choice then. And mainly, not to go overboard. I picked up a couple of things and I’ll reveal all over the next day or two, for now, check out the fun bag:

 

As I was paying I heard one of the assistants on the phone to someone telling them: two girls camped out overnight outside the store, to be the first through the doors this morning. One of those girls then went on to spend £1, 500!!

How about you? Did you make it to H&M anywhere? Did you get in on the action? Or were you turned off by it? Come one, share your stories!!

The plan: VERSACE for H&M in Cardiff!!

So, fellow Cardiff fashion lovelies, if my recent posts about the Versace for H&M collection have had you chomping at the sartorial bit, well now I can reveal Cardiff’s plan of action for tomorrow morning:

– Versace hits Cardiff on Thursday 17th November;
– Shoppers are limited to buying one of each item only;
– Shoppers are advised to get to the store early – there will be 14 x time slots giving shoppers 10 minutes in the Versace zone to choose their items;
– Coloured wristbands will be issued to shoppers from 8am, the store will open at 9am;
– Queue will be at the Hayes entrance to the store;
– Shoppers that purchase an item from the collection will receive a 20% off voucher to use elsewhere in the store;
– It’s a limited edition collection – once it’s gone it’s gone!

Cardiff has scored a bit of a coup as it is the only store in the South West and Wales to have the collection tomorrow, so they are expecting big queues.

If I could add one piece of advice, it would be to wrap up warm!! Think hats, gloves, scarves, thermals and maybe even a flask of coffee. It’s cold out there right now and even colder at 8 in the morning!

Tell me, will you be there early and what do you have your eye on?

Keep warm in line for VERSACE for H&M: earmuffs; bobble hat; cable knit scarf; fair isle arm warmers; and travel mug.

VERSACE for H&M: the stores

Whilst being excited about the up-coming launch of the Versace for H&M collection, it was with a little trepidation as I didn’t know if I’d be able to get my hands on any of the pieces in my local store. So, I am pleased to announce that the stores carrying the Women’s collection will be:

• Belfast:
• Queens Building
• Birmingham:
• Bullring Shopping Centre
• Brighton:
• 181-185 Western Road
• Cardiff:
• 19 Grand Arcade, Unit MSU08 St Davids Centre
• Edinburgh:
• 41-43 Princes Street
• Glasgow:
• Buchanan Galleries
• Kent:
• Unit 5 Upper Thames Walk
• Leeds:
• 129-132 Briggate
• Liverpool:
• 9-15 Church Street
• London:
• 103-111 Kensington High Street
• 17-21 Brompton Road
• 174-176 Oxford Street East
• 234 Regent Street
• 360-366 Oxford Street West
• Brent Cross Shopping Centre
• H&M Selfridges
• Oxford Circus
• Westfield Shopping Centre
• Westfield Stratford City
• Manchester:
• 68-70 Market Street
• Trafford Centre

If you haven’t already checked out the collection and planned what you want to buy (and more importantly, what to put to one side from your pay packet this month) go do it now!

VERSACE for H&M: what to buy (part II)

The momentum for the VERSACE for H&M collaboration launch next month is gaining now and, for me, the most important thing to know is how much each piece will cost, so that I can start budgeting now:

 What will you be saving your next pay cheque for? Some floral leggings? A silk dress? A leather jacket? Or some accessories?

VERSACE for H&M: what to buy (part I)

Yesterday I showed you the Versace for H&M lookbook, today is all about what to buy from the collection.

I’ve shopped a few of the H&M designer collaborations and found that those pieces that have passed the test of time have been the accessories which I can incorporate into my wardrobe for the longhaul. And they haven’t always come form the ladies collection, either. My “most worn” pieces from previous H&M designer collaboration are a bright pink clutch from the Jimmy Choo collection, a “Mon Pull” brooch from the Sonia Rykiel collection and a floral scarf from the Matthew Williamson men’s collection. 

With this in mind, I have picked out some of my favourite pieces, in particular, accessories from the up-coming Versace for H&M that I think will give good cost-per-wear and have staying power in your wardrobe:

Or how about something from the men’s collection?

So, what will be on your shopping list? Will you be hitting the stores for this collaboration? Or aren’t you a fan?

I’ll be posting the clothes from the collection, with prices, next week, so leave a little room on your wish lists for that now!

VERSACE for H&M: the Lookbook

Just in time for the season of excess, comes a designer collaboration from the queen of excess, Donatella Versace for H&M. Bold prints and gold bling give this collaboration the wow-factor and mean that many a fashionable magpie will be flying straight to their nearest H&M on 17 November to snatch up a piece of the action: 

“The collection for H&M is the essence of Versace. For the collaboration we’ve brought back from the archives, as well as from more recent collections, some of the icons of Versace such as the bright prints, the Greek key and daring cuts. I can’t wait to see how H&M’s wide audience will make these pieces their own.” Donatella Versace.

Are you as excited as me for the Versace for H&M collection to hit the stores? Make sure to check back tomorrow for a full review of the pieces and their prices! And my advice on what to spend your precious pennies on.