SheFinds News: Stella Made Accessible- UPDATE!

Stella McCartney has been just under the radar in mainstream fashion for the past nine years. In high fashion, her designs for Chloé, Gucci, along with her signature rocker chick tees and menswear inspired suits have garnered a reverent following. But in a meeting of mass and class, mega-retailer H&M has tapped McCartney for a one-time only collection that will hit stores November 10th. The pieces include classic Stella in the form of embellished t-shirts, tailored blazers, chunky sweaters, and skinny trousers. The difference is on the price tag, from $24 tops to $99 silk party dresses.
Photos: Lars Klove for The New York Times
A dropwaist silk dress (99.90) Stella McCartney’s H&M collection.
I expect a stampede tomorrow. H&M is always bustling as women rush around grabbing reasonably priced trends that are likely to stand up for one season of wear. But fashionistas everywhere are going to want a piece of this high fashion action. The recent tabloid hoopla surrounding Kate Moss who was the face of the collection until her drug use hit the front page hasn’t hurt the buzz. McCartney’s other foray into accessible retail came in the form of workout wear for Adidas. The launch was so successful that Adidas has expanded to Europe and Asia. Expect nothing less from her H&M collection.

As for me, I’ll be spending my lunch break elbowing my way through to an oversize funnelneck sweater with zip front (79.90) and denim jeans with a hip, retro ankle zip (69.90). Find a preview of the collection and store locations at hm.com.

UPDATE! As planned I took a retail lunch break today…all 3 stores in Manhattan were virtually sold out of Stella’s stellar collection. Am I pissy? Yes. Do I wish I would have gotten up earlier today? Yes. And while I understand that this is a special one-time-only collection…it is at a major retail chain. If it’s mass retail, there should be enough for the masses, right? Or at least mass enough to last through one day. The metro-fashionistas picked H&M dry like a pack of ferocious she-wolves. All for McCartney’s trademark cruelty-free clothing. I’m betting there was rampant cruelty and definitely claws out at about 9AM today. Maybe those in the ‘burbs and other parts of the country will have better luck. If you do, would you mind sending me the gray funnelneck sweater?!