Marni x H&M in Brighton

Yes, I was one of the fashion sheep queuing up for my ten minutes in the Marni x H&M pen today. As I'd cleared it with work to go in late - a fashion & retail editor needs to be top of this type of fashion frenzy, or something like that - I rocked up to the Western Road store at 8.45am. Not quite early enough, it turned out, but as I was in Brighton and not London (3am people, 3am), this secured me a wristband for the 9.55am slot.


Just enough time for an M&S lingerie jaunt and to feel the excitement build as I queued with my fellow fashion fans. Unlike the Versace hoards, this wasn't one for the teenagers. Marni being a favourite of chic Italian businesswoman, the majority of those queuing were in their thirties and forties, all anxiously watching as the groups in front of us frenziedly snapped up the pieces on their hit list.


When it came for my group's ten minute slot, many of the items I'd had my eye on - the polka dot trousers, bunny T-shirt and silk shirt - had gone, or existed only in a size 6 or 8. But I did manage to pick up the Sixties-style polka dot coat, cut in a lovely boxy, swing style, and cute jacquard top. Both very wearable and pretty reasonable at £79.99 and £59.99 respectively.


Shoppers were only allowed to take one piece of each style and the timed slots and re-stocking were managed with military precision by the H&M staff, so I didn't really understand the grumbles from those who joined the queue a little later. "So we might not get what we want?". "Well I don't have time for this". Erm, that's kind of the point, that's what 'limited edition' entails - why it's such a big deal...


I dropped by after work to see what was left and it was as if it'd never happened - every-day stock was back in place and the only hint of Marni mania left were two rails dotted with stiff and shiny patent leather tops and teeny tiny sizes.

What did you think of the collection? Did you manage to pick up your favourite pieces?

H&M's cosy new season trends

On Thursday 25th August, H&M will open its first ever shop-in-shop on the ground floor of Selfridges in London, which will include a selection guest curated for the launch by super-cool DJ and model, Leigh Lezark.


"The curated pieces are, I feel, modern classics everyone should have in their wardrobes," Leigh said. Adding that she's "tried to throw in some colour", in reference to her love of all things black.

From the preview, it's clear that we're not talking about bold and bright colour pops, but rather a muted pallette that fits with this season's Sixties' vibe, championed in Vogue's Autumn/Winter 2011 Runway Roundup.



But while I'm not sure that "everyone" should have jersey mustard-coloured hotpants in their wardrobe (I certainly should not), the soft-line cocoon pieces Leigh has chosen look very wearable for the winter.

I'd be quite happy to hibernate in the over-sized cardigan from January through March.

Swedish Hasbeens for H&M

Queen of collaboration, H&M is teaming up with Swedish Hasbeens to bring three affordable pairs of the cult 1970s-style clogs to the high-street this spring.


Founded in 2007 by childhood friends Cilla Wingård Neuman and Emy Blixt, Swedish Hasbeens was born when Emy came across 300 pairs of 1970s clogs in the basement of an old shoe factory, which she revived using traditional Swedish methods.

These methods are still at the heart of the company, which also states that it makes its '70s-inspired footwear from "ecologically prepared natural grain leather since it’s the most beautiful and the highest quality at the same time as it’s environmentally friendly".

This all helps to justify the clog's price tags, which start at around £100 and spiral upwards from there.

Indeed, the press release for the company's Spring/Summer 2011 (s/s11) states: "In the world of cheaper and faster, fashion consumption relies on mass production, cheap labor and conventional trends. Ideas like sustainability, creativity and quality are sacrificed for short-term profitability and fear of failure in the stock market.

"Swedish Hasbeens aims to counter this destructive industry trend with their focus on quality and sustainable production and materials, like they once were made."


An interesting statement to make at a time when they were, supposedly, negotiating to create a range for a global high-street retailer that deals in fast, mass-produced fashion.

Indeed, with prices for the H&M variety of Hasbeens ranging from £34.99 to £39.99, I had to ask how they were able to cut the price point so dramatically.

A spokesperson for H&M told me: "H&M can keep the prices low – even for shoes such as Swedish Hasbeens for H&M – because we have few middlemen, we buy in large volumes, for stores in 38 countries, we have an efficient distribution system and we are cost-conscious at every stage of our business."

Admittedly, the wooden-soled shoes do look gorgeous - I'm genuinely excited about being able to get my hands on a pair. And fortunately for (or perhaps partly because of) Swedish Hasbeens, clogs have been key to the current 1970s fashion revival, so these will no doubt be snapped up when they hit shops and the online store on 20 April.


There’s a gladiator-style strappy wedge with three buckle ankle straps, available in cream, tan or black, a peep-toe slip-on wedge with snake-effect laced leather and a more traditional heeled sandal, the style that I'm after, with a single ankle strap which comes in cream and red.

It will be interesting the compare the quality of the leather and construction, but lacking the necessary few hundred pounds myself, I'll have to ask Swedish Hasbeens super-fan Mademoiselle Robot how they stack up.

What I would really, really like though, if anyone would like to act on the hint, is a pair of light Mimmie Mouses or '60s Slingbacks from the s/s11 collection proper.

Lanvin for H&M - inspiration from the past

I haven't been blown away by Lanvin's collection for serial collaborator H&M - a few too many corsages and bling details for my liking. I may be in the minority of people who wouldn't want Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe - more specifically, I'd take the wardrobe, possibly turn it into a study, but she could keep the clothes.

However, the presentation on the homepage reminded me of the Theatre de la Mode exhibition I've recently been researching for a piece I'm writing on the history of the little black dress.


To celebrate France's release from German occupation in 1945, and to reinvigorate creativity in an industry heavily restricted by wartime rationing, the top French designers of the day, including Jeanne Lanvin, presented their designs on Elaine Bonabel's wire dummies.

Premiering in Paris' Theatre de la Mode, the show exhibited collections by designers such as Balenciaga, Balmain and Nina Ricci, and finished its world tour in 1946 at the De Young Museum in San Francisco.

Looking back, as well as the obvious Eighties influence - acid brights, tulle skirts and OTT detailing - the inspiration for Lanvin's highstreet collection can be seen in much earlier pieces by the French fashion house.

I love the floral detailing and va va voom volume skirts of these evening dresses from online archives, though perhaps a little bit more expensive than the H&M pieces...


Image source


Image source


Image source

Don't rain on my parade

I spent last week in Cornwall, where classic and casual beach- and outdoor-wear are the popular fashions. Fortunately we didn't get much rain - one morning in seven days is pretty good going for a British holiday - but one has to be prepared and as such I took along my black and white striped nautical raincoat.

A bargain at just £35 from £185 from a shop closing down in Brighton's North Laine, I bought it primarily for the Canadian honeymoon - Nova Scotia, I've heard, is a lot like Cornwall - and while it's main purpose is practical (it even has a peaked hood to keep the rain off my lovely face) wearing it makes me just as happy as slipping into a pretty dress. You may be able to see said happiness on my face as I conquer this balance beam - of course some of the joy stems from the child-like nature of the excercise.


Being cosy and sticking two fingers up to foul weather is a great feeling, as is wearing something you don't ordinarily, and for a raincoat, I like to think mine has a chic and classic 1960s vibe - it's pretty damn cool.

So, as much of the population gear up for the festival season, how can you keep dry without losing your cool? And yes, I realise that I look anything but cool performing by minor gymnastic feat, but as a woman there said "you shouldn't put an age on these things".

Rainwave have some gorgeous grown-up ponchos in this season's tribal prints. Not your average Alton Tower's Log Flume fayre. At £55, they're a little on the pricey side, but look like they'll last you a lifetime.


More cheap and cheerful are these bargain £1.99 ponchos from H&M's Fashion Against Aids range. It may only last the duration of the festival, but for £1.99, what more can you ask for? Shove it in your rucksack and dance in the rain...

Festival capsule wardrobe - H&M Fashion Against Aids

I'm not going to a festival this summer - too much mud for me - but if I were, this is what I'd pack. It's all from the fantastic H&M Fashion Against Aids collection which launches 20 May. Some 25% of sales from the range will be donated to youth HIV/AIDS awareness projects, which makes this near guilt-free shopping!

The prices are in the usual reasonable H&M range, meaning that I could - in theory - buy all of these pieces. But if I had to reign in my greed and choose three essential items, it'd have to be the maxi dress, tribal sandals and Art Deco chair.

Brightonians, the range will be available in the Churchill Square branch - although we'll only know nearer the time which exact items will be stocked.Image credit:H&M Fashion Against Aids collection

Dress Date

Speed dating with the week's dress crush

Tell me something interesting about yourself
I'm made from organic cotton and sustainable materials.

What would be your perfect date?
Riding a bike around Amsterdam - along the canals and stopping for a picnic in the city's central park.

What are your pockets full of?
Books - novels and note books in which I scribble and sketch. I always have a book on me.

What's your favourite colour?
Grass green. Cut grass is my favourite smell too.

What's your main vice?
Ice cream, with loads of stuff on top: Strawberry syrup, chocolate sauce and little sweets.

Where can you usually be found?
H & M. I'm part of The Garden Collection.

Key trends for spring/summer

Leather jacket, playsuit and ruffles
Leather jacket: £10, Snooper's Paradise
Topshop ruffle playsuit: £10, Oxfam

Underwear as outerwear
Body-con nightdress: £3, H&M

Candy pastels
See by Chloe yellow dress: £5, TK Maxx

Floral print
C&A dress: £9, Oxfam

Nautical
Scarf: £1.99, Oxfam

Biker boots
Studded boots: £35, Dorothy Perkins

Metallics
Trainers: £5, Topshop