'Lanvin Love'

Lanvin hits H&M this past weekend

Never has there been so much excitement among my fast-fashionistas since TopShop opened its own flagship store in Soho in April 2009. Not even Matthew Williamson’s capsule collection for H&M merited this much excitement.

Of course, no other brand represents luxe and glamour like Lanvin. Lanvin for H&M launched this weekend with plenty of color, detailed construction and menswear accents one might expect from a Parisian luxury name.

Lanvin for H&M runway show Nov. 18

Designer collaborations with mega-retailers are not an unusual phenomenon, much in the same way celebrities have started their own lines. Lanvin welcomed this challenge and invested in a calculated multi-media marketing campaign that supersedes all other “fast-fashion collabos” of the past.

Teaser images of the collection were available earlier this month along with a well-executed video starring Natasha Poly and models in vibrant yellow Lanvin dresses prancing around in a hotel room. Creative Director Alber Elbaz, who appears in the video at a desk sketching pieces of the collection, plans to sell five original sketches on the line’s Web site until Nov. 26. All proceeds benefit UNICEF.

Anna Dello Russo walks the Lanvin for H&M runway show

Last week, Elbaz played host to a launch party and runway presentation of the luxe-for-less collection. Attendees Anna Sui, Sofia Coppola and Alexander Wang all came to draw attention to the stylish looks, which were modeled by Vogue Japan’s Anna Dello Russo and Pixie Geldof. The bow-tie wearing Elbaz has been spotted around New York City since, posing for pictures and generating as much media buzz among the fashion community as possible.

Teaser images of Lanvin for H&M

Elbaz explained to the press that “what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public.”

The collection, consisting of asymmetrical dresses in an overindulgence of ruffles and jewelry embellishments, is true to the Lanvin brand. There is a slight lack of sophistication in the styling, which is to be expected since the H&M client is far younger, trendier and hell-bent on a deal. Yet the collection, when incorporated separately into an existing wardrobe, is sure to add much flair and sophistication never seen before.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of stylecaster.com

'Shop Before You Drop'

The sign that hung over the fifteen cash registers reminded all shoppers of the rules of the game: ‘No elbowing, no fighting, no refunds.’

With only an hour left until the end of the Barney’s Warehouse Sale, it felt like a race to bag the next Lanvin dress or Marni trouser. Shoppers dragged plastic garbage bags filled with their finds, while others loaded their arms with clothing.

In the corner, women tore of their clothes without the slightest humility. They jostled and jockeyed for mirror space. They tossed unwanted clothes onto a long table behind them.

I felt my pulse racing. Within minutes, my girlfriend already had three dresses slung over her arm.

It was no time to be indecisive. I split from girlfriend, and weaseled my way past the racks labeled with women’s sizes and designer names, now irrelevant.

Piazza Sempione, L’Wren Scott and Michael Kors. I whizzed past the labels and focused on finding an XS dress or top. Fifteen minutes later, my patience paid off.

A paint-splattered white silk top from Gemma (worn by celeb Lauren Conrad, see below) was the ultimate in cool, relaxed New York chic. Even in a size M, the loose top didn’t look a bit oversized on me and my high-rise cigarette jeans.

But it was the white crepe Marc Jacobs scarf top which was the real deal breaker. Having seen one shopper try the top on, I raced to the back of the warehouse where I had seen a version of it in a size 6.

Once reunited with my girlfriend, we made a beeline to the register. Smug and satisfied with our picks, we guessed how much we would save from a 75% discount.

The cashier clicked past the computer prompts and I saw my $140 Gemma top (shown below on Lauren Conrad) drop to $44.50. My $539 Marc Jacobs blouse discounted to $135.

As for the sweet smell of shopping victory: Priceless.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photo courtesy of thehills4life.blogspot.com and racked.com