They're here!

Fun, frenzy & the Harlem Shuffle as H&M opens in Baybrook Mall

An H&M fan gets into the spirit as the staffers lead a group dance before thestore opened at noon at Baybrook Mall.
Photo by Erin Schwarz
Marie Tran, the winner of CultureMap's H&M Outfit Contest, was allowed insideas one of the special guests who had the privilege to shop early.
Photo by Erin Schwarz
The line to get into the store was long.
Photo by Erin Schwarz
Once inside, shoppers made a beeline for their favorite H&M item.
Photo by Erin Schwarz

At last the big day arrived — H&M opened in Houston at noon on Thursday and more than 1,000 shoppers lined up to get a peek at the new store in Baybrook Mall. Some fans of the fast fashion chain had arrived as early as 3 p.m. the previous day in order to be first in line.

While shoppers waited for the store to open, H&M managers and staff ran around inside putting final touches on everything. From 9 to 11 a.m., members of the media were allowed inside to interview store officials and get the privilege to shop.

Shopper Tekere Edokpa said the store was like a madhouse and she hadn’t seen anything like it. “I love that H&M moved here,” Edokpa said, “but this is pretty crazy.”

A live DJ, buffet and drink tables were set up for the special guests to enjoy the new store. And before it opened, all the employees came into the mall corridor and danced the "Harlem Shuffle" with excited shoppers.

As 10:30 a.m. rolled around, H&M staff member Nicole McMullen said she couldn’t wait for the doors to open. “I am at a loss of words because I am so excited,” she said.

With only a half an hour left before the store opened to the public, Marie Tran, the winner of CultureMap's H&M Outfit Contest, was allowed inside as one of the special guests who had the privilege to shop early. She won a $100 gift certificate and a 30-minute head start on the rest of the shoppers.

“It was really cool to win,” Tran said, “and I didn’t think I was going to. I just did it for the ‘kick of it’ and I actually won.”

She was still seen shopping when the store opened at noon. It soon filled quickly and officials had to limit the number inside.

Shopper Tekere Edokpa said the store was like a madhouse and she hadn’t seen anything like it. “I love that H&M moved here,” she said, “but this is pretty crazy.”

H&M spokesperson Nicole Christie, one of the stars on NBC’s Fashion Star, said the chain is thrilled to have so people come out to the grand opening. “There are well over 1,000 people in line,” Christie explains, “and we are so excited.”

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UNIFORM UTOPIA

Luxury scrubs brand FIGS opens first Texas location in Rice Village

Photo courtesy of FIGS

FIGS will open its new Rice Village Community Hub on December 6.

Healthcare apparel company FIGS is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Texas with a new Community Hub in Rice Village. The retail space is designed to serve both as a store and a gathering spot for the city's healthcare community.

The Rice Village location opens this Saturday, December 6, with a public grand opening event on December 13 from 6 to 8 pm featuring giveaways, music, food, and drinks from local vendors. Joining outposts in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and New York City, the Houston location is the fourth Community Hub for the company and the only location in the South.

The store will carry the full range of FIGS products, including scrubwear, loungewear, and accessories. It will also host events and programming focused on healthcare topics, offering visitors opportunities to meet and share experiences.

At the new FIGS boutique, shoppers will find the Color Clinic, offering scrubwear in core colors with rotating seasonal options. The store also has a Customization Station, which provides embroidery for names, titles, practice or hospital logos, and local icon options available only at Community Hubs. Personalization is also available for scrub caps, outerwear, and accessories.

FiGS The new FIGS store will offer a Color Clinic and Customization Station to let shoppers personalize their FIGS uniforms. Photo courtesy of FIGS/Instagram

The brand, founded in 2013 by Heather Hasson and Trina Spear, is known for fashion-forward medical uniforms made from a proprietary fabric with four-way stretch, antimicrobial technology, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle resistance. Hasson and Spear began selling directly to healthcare workers in Los Angeles-area hospital parking lots before growing their presence as an online retailer.

CEO and co-founder Trina Spear believes Rice Village was the perfect choice due to its proximity to the Texas Medical Center. She said the company wanted a space that supports Houston healthcare professionals and gives them a place to shop and connect.

"Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, and we are honored to bring a FIGS Community Hub to this city. This space is designed to serve and celebrate Houston healthcare professionals," said Spear. "Our Community Hubs create opportunities for customers to not only shop in a way that never previously existed, but to connect with each other and with FIGS on a deeper level."

FIGS Community Hub, 5515 Kelvin Dr., Suite 130, 77005

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