Jimmy Choo for H&M – Worth the wait (and sleeping on the street in the rain)? Part 1 of 2

November 20, 2009

Jimmy Choo for H&M launched this past Saturday to hordes of anxious shoppers.  I am lucky enough to live in Central London (aka we pay a lot to live in a studio the size of your pantry) so I was within walking distance of a H&M store.  I had distinct plans to wake up at 6 am only to fall back asleep in my warm, oh-so-comfortable bed.  I finally got up and out and was in line a bit before 8 am (the store opened at 9 am).  At first I saw the line and thought “Whoa, is this really worth it?”

I mean, this looks kinda scary at 8 am right?

But I decided to brave it because I was already up right?  I also decided to stay because the H&M people told me I was among the first 160 people to arrive so I would definitely get in (whether I would get what I want was of course a different story).
They gave out this flier listing our shopping procedure and I got the blue wristband so about 100 people were in front of me.

The flier lists the times each color band was allowed to go in the store.  You could only shop for 10 minutes and get 1 of each style.  So it somewhat baffled me when I heard staff saying that someone started lining up at 5 pm the day BEFORE to be the first in line.  I talked to the 10th person in line and she said she was there at about 3 am.  It was raining in London that night and the morning of the launch.  Hmm, I just like my bed and my husband too much to sleep on the streets.

So how was my first possible mass-hysteria hyped up shopping launch experience?  Pretty good actually.  I was impressed by how orderly H&M ran the process.  The 10 minute shopping rule and abundance of staff (80 were working in that small branch that day to accommodate the crowds) really kept things moving along quickly.  They even gave out free umbrellas when it started raining in the morning.  A lovely Swedish girl covered me before I got an umbrella.  The bonding is also another funny thing I didn’t expect.  People in line were pretty friendly .  The teenage boy behind me was there to get his mom a pair of shoes.  She bribed him with a new Macbook.  Nice.

Why yes, that is a Macbook plated in GOLD.  Chic indeed.

After we got our bracelets, we also took turns taking a break from the line and quite a few sweet people offered to get me coffee as well.  Instead I  went back home and snuggled with my husband for 10 minutes.  When I went back to the line, we were up next and all the girls around me welcome me back and said they were worried I’d missed it!

We were let in a little early (at 10:35 am) and raced up the stairs.  Of course a lot of the good shoes like the gladiators and boots were gone.  I got a pair of shoes I ended up returning and a few accessories.  Overall I was able to get some things, but the selection wasn’t awesome.

Up next my tips for the Jimmy Choo for H&M shopping and a lookbook!

little luxury list

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  • Bowie Bride November 20, 2009 at 01:58

    this sounds INSANE! good for you for braving the storm. now let’s see the goods!

  • A Los Angeles Love November 20, 2009 at 02:41

    I’m happy to live vicariously through you (you got them! you actually got them!) Instead, I slept in until 10am. Mmmmmm.

  • Westside Wedding November 20, 2009 at 03:47

    Can’t wait for part 2!! I happened to be at an H&M when it opened at 9 am the day that roberto cavalli’s line had come out, I wondered what all the commotion was and then I saw people just grabbing anything they could. I was able to get my fiancee a nice Cavalli shirt but there was nothing left for the ladies.

  • FriendzCentury November 20, 2009 at 11:00

    I arrived around 8ish that morning only to be told they wouldn’t allow anymore people to queue up due to the limited stock. What a big disappointment. Apparently people had been queuing since 9:30pm the night before, but thankfully I still managed to get my hands on some goodies 🙂

  • Jessica November 20, 2009 at 12:21

    Wow – it doesn’t sound as hectic as I would have expected!

  • jinthefabwife.wordpress.com November 20, 2009 at 12:36

    sounds like quite an adventure! anything for fashion right? lol i love it!

  • The Professional Bridesmaid November 20, 2009 at 15:45

    Impressive Cnc! Can’t wait to see what you got. That gold-plated Mac….whoa…simply awesome.

  • Shop N' Chomp November 20, 2009 at 20:04

    Oh yeah, you did the post! 🙂 I totally agree with you on how nice everyone was considering we were all strangers standing around. Lucky you for getting a wristband. I did not.

  • THE ALTERNATIVE BRIDE November 20, 2009 at 20:53

    you were brave! but i’m glad it all went well for you. can’t wait for part 2.

    i stopped by the H&M on 5th and 51st on wednesday and they actually still had some stuff left. it was mostly picked over but they did have the dress & jacket i wanted. i didn’t end up buying them though because i suddenly felt the need to show some discipline. weird how that happens every now and again…:)

  • MizzJ November 20, 2009 at 22:59

    Post pics of your buys! You’re very brave, I didnt’ even bother haha. That gold plated Mac book is sweet!

    Btw thanks for visiting my blog 🙂

  • Recession Bride November 21, 2009 at 16:04

    Can I just have that gold Mac? Love it!

  • Miss T November 23, 2009 at 01:56

    Ohhh did you get shoes?

    Can I steal/borrow that heart comment gif you have on the left side of your blog to put on mine?

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