H&M on the Move

H&M expands its Houston universe as crowds cheer store opening at CityCentre

You would think after opening five H&M stores throughout the Houston area over the past three years, the thrill, while not gone, might have subsided a bit among affordable-style hunters. However, the line that wrapped around the sixth and newest H&M at CityCentre Thursday, proved that the love affair for the Swedish retailer is stronger than ever.

Securing a first-in-line position is old hat for H&M devotee Felicia Nguyen. She locked down the coveted spot when H&M opened in Baybrook Mall in 2012 and had such a good time, she decided to go for it again, showing up at 10 p.m. Wednesday night.

“It was a fun experience the first time. They (the H&M staff) bring you goodies and it’s a nice area to be in,” Nguyen said. Booties, cute backpacks, hats and shirts where at the top of her shopping list, and sure enough, when the doors opened 10 minutes ahead of the official noon opening time, Nguyen was first through the doors.

Love the swag

The first 200 shoppers in line received an H&M T-shirt, an Access to Fashion Pass, worth anywhere between $10 to $200, giveaways and the cheers of the dancing, clapping H&M staff.

H&M is encouraging shoppers to become a member of Global Citizen, an organization bringing like-minded people together to work towards a common goal, such as eradicating extreme poverty. Shoppers who recycle garments (H&M or otherwise) through September 17 can win a chance for free tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in New York, a music fest with with headliners Pearl Jam, Beyoncé, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.

The 20,000-square-foot store in CityCentre is located by Studio Movie Grill and includes women’s, men’s and children’s departments. Work-ready separates and more mature women’s clothing are found in the front of the store, while the men's department veers off to the right.

Children’s and super trendy juniors apparel are further back in the store and each department is split, giving shoppers the option to pick up a silky black top or a pair of Mickey Mouse joggers.

Something for everyone

“People ask who our demographic is, and I tell them we have something for everybody,” H&M spokesperson Patrick Shaner said. ‘If you want classic workwear, you can find it or if you want a trendy menswear item, we have that too.”

After collaborating with fashion powerhouses like Versace and Alexander Wang, H&M launches its next capsule collection with Balmain on November 9. Expect military nods, strong shouldered jackets and embroidery. Also expect the pieces to sell out within minutes of hitting the sales floor.

Although it took a while for H&M to put down stakes in Texas, the retailer is continuing its expansion plan. Other locations include Baybrook Mall, Willowbrook Mall, Katy Mills and the Houston Galleria. Shane said the Pearland Town Center is slated to open September 24.

“We are expanding in Texas like crazy. It’s a big market for us,” Shaner said.

To celebrate the new location, H&M is offering special pricing and other giveaways through the weekend.

H&M opened its newest location in CITYCENTRE, bringing fall fashion to Houston.

Photo by Heather Staible

H&M opened its newest location in CITYCENTRE, bringing fall fashion to Houston.

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A Clear Choice

Texas handbag brand Consuela debuts clear collection for stadium use

Photo courtesy of Consuela

These bags fashionably comply with stadium rules.

Transparency is key for this new stadium-friendly product line by Austin handbag brand Consuela. The new line recreates the brand's top-selling silhouettes in a clear material that makes them easy to carry at venues with long security lines.

This is the first time Consuela has produced clear bags, press materials say.

It's certainly possible to pack any small bag and spend a minute on a security check at the gate, but if attendees want to carry more, sometimes venues require a clear bag; at Reliant Stadium, for example, a non-see-through bag can only be four-and-a-half inches by six-and-a-half inches or smaller.

Conseula clear bags You don't have to put bags in the "tool bag" silhouette.Photo courtesy of Consuela

Each clear Consuela bag has a bit of personality thanks to a printed, opaque strip of material across the top and a colorful strap that's interchangeable for different carrying styles: wearing the bag crossbody, on the shoulder, or as a clutch. Leather accents also elevate each piece, which contains interior pockets, a credit card holder, and a removable piece that gives the base structure or, when it's removed, allows the bag to collapse.

With three shapes and three patterns or colorways, there are nine distinct bags in the collection. The largest style is 11 inches by nine and a quarter inches, with a three-inch depth. Two smaller styles are more clutch-sized. The top material can show off a colorful paisley-like design, leopard print, or an understated cream leather to match the rest of the trim.

Conseula clear bags Grouping items in smaller cases can make a clear bag look neater.Photo courtesy of Consuela

The new collection ($125-235) is available now at consuelastyle.com. Shoppers can also check the bags out in person at Consuela's Katy store at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard. Other retailers selling Consuela bags can be found through the brand's store locator.

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