H&M Comes to Central Florida
Story by Praise Santos | Photos by Abigail DonaldsonWednesday, Oct. 14, 2009
OTownStyle.com's Praise Santos and a pal try on the different styles at the preview opening of H&M at the Florida Mall on Tuesday. Click on the photo for a full-size view of the fashions!
If you've ever traveled to Manhattan, you may have returned to Orlando missing the little quirks of city life: street vendor gyros and dollar roasted nuts (these. smell. amazing.), men and women rushing down the sidewalks with their power suits and that I-gotta-be-somewhere look on their faces--and of course, stores at every corner with pretty-in-the-mirror AND pretty-in-the-pocket styles.
Soon, a portion of that urban charm is coming to the place we call home.
Clothing store H&M Hennes & Mauritz--better known simply as H&M--opens two locations for the first time in Central Florida this Thursday October 15. This Swedish-based clothing company makes fashion accessible to everyone. They carry international looks for men, women, teens, and children, with easy-on-the-eye price tags ($19.95, $24.95, $49.95 etc.).
Watch Praise's interview with H&M representative Nicole Christie
They've been known to make everyday-people clothing by some of the globe's most sought after designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Comme des Garcons, and Robert Cavalli. (Think the GO-INTERNATIONAL line at Target...but actually more international!) Their next collaboration? JIMMY CHOO. (Can you imagine this shoe at H&M prices? Wearing a $50 Jimmy...that would almost be Disney magic!)
But my dear Orlando readers: I hate to bring you down from Cloud Nine. Unfortunately, the designer lines will only make it to top stores, i.e. big city locations that are not here. Can I petition this with someone? Sigh. But that does not mean good and pleasure do not abound!
H&M's clothing is a great balance between funky and classy, weekender and professional. In retail terms, think of it as the bridge between the out-of-control Forever 21 and the well-tailored Zara.
At a preview opening at the new H&M Florida Mall location, a friend and I shopped through the racks with smiles on our faces.
Long-pant jumpsuits, flirty skirts, and comfy minidresses soon began to weigh down our arms. I wish I could say these arms were also growing weary from the burden of fabulous heels and booties but I must admit, the store only carried a small selection of footwear.
Another downer? It seems the fashion giant didn't fully realize the fact that they just opened a location in Florida. Sunny Florida. As in...
We-get-sunburnt-on-Christmas-day Florida.
You think we're going to need a faux fur coat, really?
(I smell a markdown...)
Just to let you know, you'll see a lot of knit that you won't exactly need yet.
But I won't digress on their epic coat collection because it will only make me bitter, but I will say props to their other sets.
Their men's line is stellar and with attractive murses (in this case, man purses, not male nurses). Their children's line doesn't compare to Zara's, but it is more kid-friendly (Hello Kitty power!). And the fact that they have a maternity line is exceptional too.
It's truly about time we had an H&M here in Orlando! I'm excited to announce that these recession-friendly, fashionable looks can now be ours.
You can check the selection out for yourselves at the grand opening of both locations--at the Florida Mall and the Seminole Towne Center--this Thursday, October 15 at noon.
Heads up: first 300 customers get an Access to Fashion Pass--gift cards with values between $10 and $500. Cha-ching!
And as I wish you happy shopping, I will equip you with this advice:
- The dressing room lines will be long; be prepared to wait
- Their clothing seems to size small (is that a Euro thing?) so grab a couple of sizes, especially for their pants and jumpsuits
- Skip your daily exercise--carrying home your loot will be workout enough!
