Fashion Blog by: Madisson Stanley
It seems to me that fashion is right on schedule this year; forget being ‘fashionably’ late. The Country Club Plaza has always kept up with high-end boutiques like Armani Exchange, Betsey Johnson, Coach, Michael Kors, and even a Tiffany & Co. So the new 22,137 square foot space being built on Broadway next to the Gap comes as no surprise; but what’s being placed there is. This will be the first ever H&M to be installed in the Kansas City area. The much loved brand can be found in shopping centers all over the world but never this close to home. H&M is known for the myriad of designers they’ve teamed up with and selling their collections at moderate prices.
Versace on the other hand has to be the polar opposite. The name itself symbolizes all that is glamour and elegance and is recognized nearly everywhere. Only a handful of designers get recognition like that and they’ve more than earned their spot at the top. Founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace; now run by his sister Donatella, she has been creating avant-garde and red-carpet-ready pieces since she picked up the family business. But couture collections do not come with a pretty price tag, unless you’re raking in serious cash. Even archives of these clothes from decades ago are still being sought after by fashion freaks like myself, and sometimes they even double in price with age.
Basically, what we have on our hands right now is a double dose of awesome, a win-win situation for everyone. Not only are we getting a store installed that hasn’t been available to us for so many years except for the always inconvenient and inaccurate online shopping thing, but the first collection being carried opening day is the Versace for H&M collection. Go ahead, get excited, pull up whatever search engine you use if you don’t believe the words you’re reading right now, it’s happening and there’s nothing you can do about it besides; START BUDGETING. The store’s grand opening and collection launch are in perfectly in sync. Doors are being promised to open this holiday season, so you get to be the best gift giver you’ve ever been this year.
Good news is: this is a full 82 piece collection designed for both men and women including clothing, accessories, and home ware; the best price range is $20-$300. Bad news is: most pieces range from $150-$200 which is the lowest prices I’ve ever seen placed on brand new designer clothing, but not exactly family friendly prices for our current economy.
What I can tell you is, these clothes are worth every penny. I swooned at the very first pictures that were released online, they are every bit genuine Versace, they just look like Donatella’s designs you’d see on the runway or any event. The collection is sort of unisex in my eyes and a lot of outfits are interchangeable with each other. So say you buy yourself a skirt or a cocktail dress and a top and you buy your boyfriend a suit jacket and a beanie, you can steal his jacket for a pop of color that fits with the menswear trend for this season and jack his beanie when our winter weather gets harsh and it still matches the pieces you purchased.
But this collection isn’t about stealing your friend’s clothes; this is about owning high quality designer label clothing for less than half of the price. If I had to put a word on everything I would tell you it was daring, you really have to appreciate the designs for what they are. Between the bold color palette with neon pinks and fluorescent green, Japanese prints, futuristic textures, more of the dramatic cut outs we’ve seen trending in the previous collections I’ve blogged about. These clothes will work well into the summertime, just seeing the prints make you hungry from a road trip to LA.
Shoes, dresses, tops, jewelry, scarves, bags, skirts, leggings, jackets, belts, and hats; all made out of the hard stuff. Leather jackets, furs, patent loafers and heels, workout leggings that can be transformed for a night out with the right top, knit beanies, and silk accent scarves, purses that look like brand new Fendi and Prada being placed in magazine ads. Versace is claimed to be the most successful collaboration with H&M so far, and I don’t doubt it for a second.
So start saving your money and make your way to the Plaza this holiday season and check out the best thing to happen to Kansas City shopping in quite a long time.
Amen fashion,
Madisson