Jimmy Choo for H&M

Have all of you heard about the new Jimmy Choo line for H&M? I've been hearing all sorts of buzz about it for weeks, but the line finally comes out next week- November 14th to be exact. So I stopped by the H&M website to get a feel for what's coming. My overall impressions were these:

1.) Overpriced overall
2.) Menswear is too simplistic ($25 for a white t-shirt? I don't think so)
3.) The shopping experience is too difficult (you need a bracelet to buy a bracelet? For real?)

Here's how it works. Right now you can visit the H&M website and view the pieces in the collection. There's ready-to-wear clothing as well as shoes, bags and accessories for both men & women. To find a store selling the pieces you like, first go to the H&M website, click on "Collection Overview." All items have a "Find a store" button. When you click on the button you will see a list of the stores with that item available. On November 14th, you can get in line to that store. The first 160 people will be given a bracelet (which is only necessary for the ladies accessories, shoes and handbags sections). For the first 2 hours, the first 160 people will be allowed to shop in the bracelet-only sections. Apparently anyone can shop in the womens garment and mens collection areas. It all seems a little over the top to me. Apparently when Karl Lagerfeld designed a diffusion line for H&M, it was pretty crazy and I'm sure they're anticipating some craziness for the Jimmy Choo line as well. If I were a huge Jimmy Choo fan, I'd probably be excited.

In viewing the collection, it all seems to be about two or three times the regular prices of garments normally sold at H&M, but when compared to the price of a typical Jimmy Choo garment, the prices seem low. It's all relative, I guess.

So what do you think about this new diffusion line? Is it worth all the hype? Is it worth all the waiting in line trying to be one of the first 160 people to enter the shop? Would you spend almost $200 on a pair of shoes at H&M? Would you rather find a pair real JC's marked down or second hand somewhere else? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Diffusion Confusion

A diffision line is a term for a ready-to-wear line of clothing produced by a typically high end designer. It's a line designed to reach the masses and the items therein are significantly less expensive than their runway counterparts. Isaac Mizrahi led the way with discount department store diffusion lines with his line designed for Target. Lots of designers have followed in his footsteps including Vera Wang who has designed a line for Kohls and Alexander McQueen who also designed for Target.

The list of designers with diffusion lines could go on for days- Marc by March Jacobs, D&G by Dolce & Gabbana, and Emporio by Armani to name a few- but you should be aware of the differences in these diffusion lines. No, my friend, not all diffusion lines are created equal, and therefore it is understandable that you might have some diffusion confusion. I hope I can clear some of that confusion up for you.

The easiest way to break it down is to divide the diffusion lines into two types- the first is the type that is still handled by the designer. Marc by Marc Jacobs is a good example of this. The second is the type that is handled by design teams who work with the chain or department store where the product will be sold. Isaac Mizrahi's line for Target is an example of this type of diffusion line.

A mass-produced diffusion line is certainly a lucrative way for a discount department store to create a frenzy in their store- H&M had a run on their Karl Lagerfeld diffusion line, but that's a whole other story. The point I'm trying to make is before you plunk down your credit card, take the time to closely examine the garment you are buying. Some diffusion lines are still made with high-quality craftsmanship, while others are poorly tailored, and use cheap materials. To generalize, it is a safe bet that a diffusion line that is handled by the designer themself will be of a higher quality than one that is handled by a team associated with the chain store. Regardless, when considering a piece from a diffusion line, make sure you are buying it for the right reason- because it looks good on you. If you are buying something simply for the label inside it, you are bound to be disatisfied and will be far less likely to wear it. After all, who can see the inside label except you? Think about it.

Remember that when purchasing a piece from a diffusion line, you are buying something that is most likely mass-produced. When purchasing a designer piece, you are getting something that is made with high quality craftsmanship and it is more than likely a unique piece and sometimes even one-of-a-kind. Isn't that why we like buying designer duds? The idea that we can have something no one, or very few others will also have is appealing! When you purchase from a diffusion line, you may have a "designer" item in your closet, but it's likely not a one-of-a kind item. If that's not important to you, then onward! If you get nothing else from this post, remember that in purchasing ANY item of clothing the most important criterion is how that garment looks on you. Designer pieces, thrift shop or garage sale finds, department store items- any of these can be equally fabulous or fatal if they are not flattering on you.