V for Versace

I gotta start by saying that Versace was not a fashion house that would attract me as a person. I am more of a Dior or a Chanel person when it comes to big designer names. I grew up with Versace presence at home, my mom is a big fan, so i got used to the patterns, the colors, the 'sun' :) vintage Versace all the way!

A fashion empire on its own, I was kind of interested when i found out that H&M locked a collaboration deal with Versace..who wouldn't? My reasons for that special interest are below: 

- growing up with a Versace presence as i mentioned above 

- i love H&M and i admire their marketing techniques, deals and collaborations..building the brand image perfectly in my opinion

- it was interesting to know which designer house was going to sign off the deal after Lanvin

- Donatella Versace was very arrogant when talks started about Versace launching at H&M

Guess what Donatella? Versace did launch at H&M on November 17th worldwide, and the 19th in the States. 

With a very 'out there' collection, the Versace pieces that showcased and were all over the internet and on the H&M website were truly one of a kind. They represented Versace's style in every aspect (patterns, colors, shapes, etc...)

loved the photography, very visually appealing 

another interesting Versace piece showcased at H&M

I think i went through the collection twice or 3 times. I wasn't really hyped up about the collection, but..something caught my eye. I have been wanting a leather jacket since last winter, and i couldn't find a piece that i liked. And there it was, in the Versace collection..it was exactly what i was looking for. Black, fit and minimal gold and silver studded Versace patterns. I decided that I would make a trip on the launch day to pick up that jacket. 

the Versace leather jackets, jacket to the left is my favorite

THE jacket 

To make my H&M Versace launch visit more interesting, i happened to be in the States at the time. So, i got to see all the reviews from people around the world that shopped on the 17th. I remember reading the blog of a girl (should have kept her name and her blog's name) who lives in London. I believe this girl was extremely lucky. She made it to the store by 11am and still got everything she wanted to get. She gave me hope. 

I was in Orlando at the time, and the collection was launching at The Florida Mall. It was a 20 minutes drive from where i was staying. My cousins thought i was kind of crazy to wake up so early and pay the mall a trip at 7 am to start on 'some' shopping. Completely ignoring the crazy accusations, i still woke my mom up (since i didn't want to stand in the line alone) and went to The Florida Mall. 

Arriving at 7:20 AM, there was a line of almost 80 people, I was glad i ranked under a 100. I got the hand badge thing and my time slot happened to be at 11:20 am. Women collection was to be shopped from by slots; each group of 10 has 15 minutes to shop the collection. While the men collection was on first come first serve basis. 

line up in front of H&M at 7:30 AM

My Versace pass

By 8:50 AM doors opened and people were welcomed in. There was a live DJ playing by the entrance, and H&M branded Versace staff handed people coupons of 20% off upon purchasing any H&M item for that day (don't you just love H&M?) Looking at the fenced Women collection, i could see 5 leather jackets (did not focus on anything else). I could also see the small clutch handbags in fuchsia as well (so bright and fresh, i loved them). 

Women collection at H&M

By 9 AM, first group of 10 got their pass. It didn't take them 5 minutes to clear most of the stands. My face was so pale when i saw only 1 jacket left. It didn't make sense how people were shopping; bigger built girls were definitely getting smaller sizes, and smaller sized girls grabbed all sizes they can see. It only meant that whoever went in wasn't entirely buying for themselves. 

After the first group was done vacuuming the collection, i waited as staff were bringing in what seemed to be a refill. Apparently, at 9:20 AM, that was THE LAST refill for the day. There were no more jackets. I was pretty annoyed at that moment, but there was one more jacket that the mannequin was wearing and a customer in their slot time could buy it. I thank myself for making it obvious because a girl heard me talking to one of the staff members and decided she wanted the jacket. Oh well..i didn't put my hands on that jacket, and it was pretty annoying at that time, but i kind of enjoyed myself and the whole experience. 

Feeling a little bit down, i managed to shop around the H&M store and use my 20% off and my mother's as well since we got 2 coupons :) 

I was also introduced to the amazing cake pops by Starbucks, my first ever cake pop experience and they're there to love..chocolate peppermint and birthday cake. 

Recovered with some cake pops

Wondering where all the Versace pieces went? Well all of them seemed to be on Ebay for triple the price. I found so many leather jackets online. I still think that was unfair. 

Could it be Dior or Chanel for the next H&M big fashion / marketing deal? If that's the case, then i'll definitely camp a night before like so many people did for Versace :) 

dee -