If someone who works in fashion tells you that her job doesn’t have any perks, I personally give you permission to slap her, or at the very least, call her a liar (but also slap her, because how often do you get a chance to backhand someone in real life and then blame it on a fashion blogger?) Tonight, the perk wagon came around and dropped me off squarely at the Marni x H&M press preview. (Missed the lookbook? We’ve got it here, for reference.)

Now, in case you assumed that members of the fashion media would conduct themselves with grace and courtesy when presented with the opportunity to buy clothes, you were mistaken, and I’m not sure why you had such a high opinion of us in the first place. Particularly when an industry favorite like Marni is involved, fashion girls can throw bows with the best of them. I did come away with some shoes and accessories, though, and more importantly, I came away with your first inside info on what the collection is like in person. (more…)

Marni Tote, $645 via Net-a-Porter

A couple of days ago, the fashion Internet exploded with news of H&M’s next collaborative partner – quirky Italian label Marni. Forget Versace – this is something I might actually consider standing in line for, particularly because a full menagerie of accessories will also be available, right along with the retro-modern prints and oddball color combinations for which Marni is known.

Because of the nature of high-low collaborations (read: because of PVC ickiness), I never have much hope for the handbags and “leather” goods that will come out of these kinds of partnerships. Versace x H&M included some real leather, though, so who knows what the future (and Marni x H&M) might hold. It will hold some less-expensive takes on Marni’s much-sought-after costume jewelry, and that’s enough for me to be feeling the slight burn of excitement in the back of my brain. Sadly, We’ll have to wait until March 2012 to see this stuff in person. Are you sick of designer collaborations yet? (more…)

With the much-anticipated, much-coveted Lanvin x H&M collection debuting at select H&M locations across the country on Saturday, budget-conscious women everywhere are champing at the bit, wondering if they should brave the early-morning lines to get their hands on a piece of Alber Elbaz’s foray into the budget fashion world.

Our institutional advice on that matter is yes, absolutely, go get your ruffled cocktail dresses before everyone else gets them. But don’t do so without being prepared for the task that you’re about to face. Luckily for you, we have some tips for coming away with exactly the pieces you want (and maybe a few that you’re undecided about). (more…)

We had a fairly lively debate a few months ago when the Jimmy Choo for H&M collaboration was announced, and now we’ve finally got a comprehensive look at what the partnership will yield when it hits store shelves November 14.

The collection includes shoes, boots, handbags, jewelry, and a few items of clothing, all done in the slightly 80s glam-punk look that Jimmy Choo has been fond of lately. There are only a few bags, but they’re certainly worth a look. Most of the bags and shoes are real leather, so this is not nearly as bargain basement as a lot of low-end collaborations are. I wouldn’t call myself overly impressed, but rather pleasantly surprised. Most of the collection is genuinely attractive, although the bags are not the high point.

More photos after the jump. (more…)

This news is just what I wanted to hear today. H&M has a long and well-publicized history of collaborations with high-end designers, but until now, all of those designers had been most well-known for their clothes. Taking things in a slightly different direction, H&M will feature shoes, accessories, AND clothes (CLOTHES?!?!) designed by the folks at Jimmy Choo in select stores this November.

This is the first time that one of the Swedish chain’s designer capsule collections has focused on shoes and accessories (reports are that the clothes will be designed to “compliment” them), and the very idea makes me weep for my weak ankles, one of which I would surely destroy by trying to buy and wear any of the suddenly affordable Choos that are soon to come our way (old soccer accident, the story is gruesome, you don’t want to know). I’m hoping against hope that they make some flats for those like me, but the teaser image that we have shows two high heels, both of which are quite a bit more intricate than I would have expected for a collection like this. And is that the corner of a very shiny clutch that I see peeking out of the frame there? Because if it is, God help me, I will be the first one in line if any of the Atlanta-area H&Ms carry this line. No word on which stores will have it yet (when we find out, we’ll let you know!), but my guess is only the largest and most flagship-y of the locations will see these beauties. November 14, hurry up and get here.

Photo via Vogue UK