Our H&M for Isabel Marant Story...

The countdown to the long awaiting Isabel Marant for H&M is nearly over. With the Thursday booked off work and my alarm clock set for a 6am early wake up, I snuggle down and shut my eyes. Dreaming of slouchy, thrown together Parisian chic style I sleep straight through until my alarm clock springs into life. With a hop, skip and a jump I leap out of bed... and that never happens, ask mini mouse... I whip on my pre-planned clothes, coat and bobble hat and rush out the flat door with more enthusiasm than a bat out of hell!

This is me sleeping standing up in my apartment block lifts...  

I duck and dive between the early commuters dawdling along and arrive at Knightsbridge at 7.15. I rush out of the station knowing every second counts and could cost me a space at the front of the queue. I emerge above ground expecting to see a line of committed Isabel Marant fashionistas snaking around the corner but to my delight I am greeted with around 30 people ahead of me! Superb...

I queue for around an hour before spotting the wristband people moving down the line. A very civilised way of queueing if you ask me meaning you are allotted your time slot for entry and are then allowed to escape somewhere warm until your Isabel Marant time strikes. I was lucky enough to receive the third time slot of 9.40am but was rather sad when I realised I missed out by one person for the second group. Never mind - off I took myself to warm up in Starbucks...

Heading back 20mins before my calling I entered the word of girly madness full of pushing, shoving, snatching and shoulder blocking! I queued up AGAIN and watched the shoppers in the roped off area rushing around as if they were on Supermarket Sweep - no sign of Dale Winton you'll be pleased to hear! It was rather torturous watching others grabbing things on my wish list but I kept calm and carried on mentally thinking through my plan of action once my time came. First on the shopping list were those show stopping boots. If you've been living in a cave for the last 6 months let me bring you up to speed - we're talking leather and suede fringed boots truly representative of Isabel Marant's signature style. I was also lusting after the chunky knit wool cardies and silk monochrome blouse featured everywhere...

Well I pleased to share I made it out alive... just! With only 10 minutes to shop the collection I whizzed around the fashion pen as if my life depended on it. I can report I snapped up THE boots and plenty more - check out my Pretty Women moment below laden with shopping bag after shopping bag...

For a sneak preview of all the bits I purchased check out the below shots - a tad over the top yes but what can I say, I'm a slave to Isabel...