FASHION Magazine

See the Isabel Marant for H&M opening day photos »

The madness that is Isabel Marant for H&M finally hit stores the morning much to the frenzied delight of shopping addicts worldwide. As to be expected, the Swedish brand’s latest designer collaboration had fans lining up hours before store open to be the first to grasp the chic Parisian wares. We hit the Toronto Eaton Centre to capture the scene and found plenty of styles to snap. This being Marant’s first ever-collection for men brought out some stylish batch of male fans in addition to the bundled up ladies in plaid, faux fur and wooly hats.

While you may have missed a first pass at the Isabel Marant for H&M, have no fear: the trick is waiting till the panic subsides and first-day shoppers have returned superfluous items. You’ll get yours! Meanwhile, peep the frenzy.

See the Isabel Marant for H&M party photos »
Enter to win a spot at the front of the line on launch day! »

If Universal Studios had a fashionable Parisian sister, it would be last night’s blowout launch party for the upcoming Isabel Marant for H&M collection. Inspired by the city’s boho ‘90s scene, Tennis Club de Paris was transformed into a bustling city scene, complete with a roller derby, a shoppable bodega, photo booths, endless late night take out options and a souvenir shop, where the collection made its pre-shop debut. Guests including Audrey Tautou, January Jones, Freida Pinto and Olga Kurylenko (all in Isabel Marant for H&M, of course) took in the fantasy fair scene, while others broke a very literal sweat in the pre-shop line up. Around 11pm, a group of Marant-outfitted models launched into a glitter-inducing dance party, followed by a performance by none other than Grandmaster Melle Mel and Rappers Delight. God love Parisians and their appreciation of good old American fun.

Major. Major! Major.

For those who’ve been witness to the pandemonium on an H&M designer collaboration launch day, you’ve only dreamed of the chance to mosey on down to the front of the line and shop till you drop before the craziness hits (ahem, 7:30AM, so make sure to get your beauty sleep)

Well, we’re giving you the chance to do just that by giving you the chance to win front of the line spots on opening day of Isabel Marant for H&M (November 14, 2013) for you and a friend in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver! And if that wasn’t sweet enough, we’re throwing in a $200 gift card too. Major.

To enter, simply select your preferred store location and fill out the form below before 11:59PM on November 7, 2013. You’ll also want to pre-shop in your brain right over here, cause why not.

There’s a certain mystery involved in the making of a hit, a kind of magic that’s as unpredictable and inexplicable as it is intangible. In music, it’s known as the sweet spot. Nile Rodgers (the legendary music producer behind such earworms as David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”) summed it up thusly: “It just has to be cool. I can’t explain it but I know it when I arrive there.” If the same can be said of a fashion It item, then the Nile Rodgers of designers would be Isabel Marant. The reigning queen of effortless chic, the French fashion designer has je-ne-sais-quoi’d her way to the top of the fashion charts with such stylish hits as her slouchy football tee, Navajo print jeans and ubiquitous wedge sneaker, which has spawned more knockoffs than Madonna has copycats. One might be tempted to chalk Marant’s runaway success up to her inspired formula of boho meets rock ’n’ roll meets Parisian insouciance, but there’s something else x-factor-y at play here. “I have an innate feel for what people like,” Marant says. “I cannot put it into words and am constantly surprised by it, but the pieces I really like are usually those that sell best.” Whether you call it a sweet spot, instinct or just plain genius, Marant is bringing her magic touch to the masses in a new collaboration with H&M, launching Nov. 14, that brims with flirty boho frocks, zippered leather pants and a fresh take on her famous fringe-y pirate boots. Consider it a wallet-friendly compilation of her greatest hits.

See the mens and kids Isabel Marant for H&M collections »
See the womens Isabel Marant for H&M collection »

Just because we’re still salivating over the Isabel Marant for H&M womenswear collection doesn’t mean we can’t pause for a second (maybe just one) to talk about her equally amazing collections for men and kids.

Her first collection for men! With prices ranging from $30 to $350, men can look forward to chic tailored coats, heavily printed sweaters and biker styled leather pants that will definitely add European meets Americana flair to the wardrobe. Don’t mind us if we decide to make our way over to the men’s section to grab a few oversized sweaters for ourselves.

With kids in the front row becoming a fashion week trend in and of itself, it comes as no surprise to see that the kid’s collection would be just as lust worthy. Continuing the same spirited aesthetics for half the price, the younger and playful edit of the adult collection makes us quite nostalgic for those younger days.

See the Isabel Marant for H&M collection »
See the mens and kids Isabel Marant for H&M collections »

We should start looking at frequent H&M’s designer collaboration leaks as kismet. Fashion freaks just can’t wait to get their dirty little hands on the latest greatest and cheapest thing, and we can we blame them? Nope, cause they are us. Last night, the lookbook for Isabel Marant’s upcoming collection for the Swedish retailer was prematurely revealed to the delight of everyone. Modeled by It girls like Milla Jovovitch, Lou Doillon, Alek Wek and Constance Jablonski, the Isabel Marant for H&M collection looks very much in line with Marant’s signature coveted style, meaning that her Navajo meets model off duty meets rock chick items can be yours for as low as $25. Haller! On the pricier end, an ethnic beaded cardigan tops out at $400, but with most of the 53 pieces pieces ranging between $50 and $200, we’d venture that there’s plenty for those with modest budgets. As for the highlights, we’ve got our eyes on the oxblood cropped leather and zipper embellished pants ($150), the oversized grey wool boyfriend coat ($200) and the slouched vintage-y leather fringe boots ($300). Marant’s first collection for men also debuts with this collection, translating similarly with fuzzy knit sweaters, Navajo prints and dusted workman boots.

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection launches worldwide on November 14, 2013. You may as well get in line now.