Welcome to the Jungle: Animal Prints Inspired By Dolce & Gabbana
On the eve of the official Jimmy Choo for H&M collection debut, I made my way to the retailer's flagship Fifth Avenue store in New York for a special pre-launch shopping event. Celebs, fashion professionals, and press made up the invitation list--par for the course at these shindigs. We're generally a jaded lot (or, at least, pretend to be). Anna Wintour walks within two feet of you in the tents during Fashion Week? Don't even blink (internally, though, you're hyperventilating). So imagine my surprise when upon entering the red-carpeted doors, I spotted many of my brethren in a state of downright frenzy, squealing over stilettos and gleefully grabbing as many handbags as they were allowed. The store itself was tricked out with glamorous sapphire draping, an open bar, and gourmet h'or dourves, but all eyes were on the shoe section where even the guests had to wait our turn to have a go. Christian Siriano and Michelle Trachtenberg were just some of the stars spotted in the fray, and as I left the store, there were apparently folks getting ready to line up overnight for the opening on Saturday morning. The H&M designer collections are a phenomenon I love for the fun, boy band crazy-like moments they create, especially when they can bring out the fashion fanatic in many of my seemingly "over it" colleagues, moi included. And next up on H&M's stellar collaboration roster? Sonia Rykiel, whose H&M lingerie collection launches December 5, with a spring collection debut to follow on February 10, 2010. Check out the slideshow for photos of some of your favorite celebs and the scene at the Jimmy Choo for H&M VIP shopping event!
