Versace at H&M

Photo and most of the story from the Montréal Gazette

By 12:30 p.m. it was all over save disappointment for some and fully loaded gold embossed trophy bags for others.

Unfashionably late fashion fans who did not line up in the wee hours for a piece of Versace for H&M found the racks depleted after staff opened the gates for remainders of the collection at about 12:30 Saturday afternoon.

It was a mad swarm for a last grab at the merchandise, according to many accounts.

Some fans starting lining up at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon for the 8 a.m. launch Saturday of the collection, the latest in the Swedish retailing giants list of guest designers.

Michael Mancini came in from Ottawa with his daughter, Clara, 13. At just after 10 a.m.,the pair were loaded with dresses, scarves and other accessories. Clara said she lined up at 4 a.m. for a bracelet that would allow access to a gated area in the store to shop. Her father said he declined to line up that early.

“I love how they are out of people’s comfort zone,” said Clara, who plans to go to design school. “They’re always original, they’re really trendy and they set new styles,” she said, explaining why she likes Versace.

Clara said she had researched the line in the past few months, so she was aware it was a collection based on archival designs.

Tara Sigal, 26, was at the cash with a huge haul of clothing, whose tally came to about $1,400.

“I literally took everything in a Size 2. I’m going to take it home, try it on. I think the whole collection is great. Whatever looks good I’m going to keep. If not I’ll bring it back.

“You got to get what you can.”

Sigal, who makes airline uniforms, said it was her first foray to an H&M collaboration collection.

“I love the colours,” she said of the Versace line.

My daughter arrived a few minutes late and never got a wrist band which eliminated her from getting in during the initial rush. They only let in a few at a time as space was at a premium. At 12:30, the late ones could return and be let in to see what was left.

Of course, the perfect dress was left and at 12:32 we got the call.  My daughter had grabbed this one out of someone’s hands as they thought about the purchase, and went to a secure spot to call and discuss this with her mother (and me through off mike shouting). The decision was to get it as if you don’t you will regret it forever. It will always be “the one that got away”.

All shoppers have “the one that got away” stories and always have some “the one that I got” ones as well.

I have a sad tale about a set of oak Chinese Chippendale chairs sitting out on a curb for $600 ($100 apiece) that I didn’t buy (too much money) and a pair of Timberland  boots at a factory discount store that kept getting cheaper, so I pocketed (OK, it’s stealing, sort of) the laces out of them, and bought them a few weeks later for $17.50.

My daughter is a happy camper, I’m $200 poorer, but a guy who encourages bargains and hopefully creates the situation for lifelong memories.


Editor’s Note: My daughter, when returning to H&M, hit a snag. The Santa Claus Parade had started and she was not allowed to cross the street. She tried and was turned back by a uniformed guard and told not to cross until after 1:30 p.m. when then parade had finished.

She saw a woman walking with an H&M Versace bag and approached her, who it turned out was also trying to cross the street. They formed a partnership, wandered back past that guards area of responsibility and waited until the parade was walking by. They both darted into the parade and made their way across the street and back to H&M.

My daughter was let in with the woman and proceeded to look for items, and found a small purse for $125. She gave that to someone else and managed to get the dress away from someone else in the correct size.