H&M x Times Square Opening with Lady Gaga

H&M is coming to Times Square with a bang this coming Thursday, November 14th at midnight with none other than Lady Gaga herself. The fashion icon/ pop superstar will be on hand at a special ribbon cutting and lighting of the H&M logo on the top of 4 Times Square.

Since Lady Gaga will be the one to kick off the opening, H&M will be selling her new album, ARTPOP,  at H&M Times Square and over 175 stores nationwide for an exclusive price of $9.95 while supplies last.

The Times Square location has about 42,000 square feet of space and will offer collections for women, men and children with a separate “shop-in-shop” area for accessories.  Guests at the store can get interactive with a digital runway that projects images of guests walking a virtual catwalk onto screens outside the store. Inside the store, you'll find LED screens, a charging station equipped with iPads, interactive mannequins and much more.

“This is truly a milestone moment for H&M, to have a footprint at the crossroads of the world and own a piece of the NYC skyline with our brand illuminated on top of this impressive building,” says Daniel Kulle, U.S. President for H&M. “With over 7,000 square feet of LED screens, and a 53 foot glitter wall in this ground breaking location, we knew we had to partner with a star who shines as bright as the store.”

To celebrate opening day, H&M Times Square will be open for a full 24 hours with a digital countdown announcing hourly offers for the whole family! The first 1000 shoppers in line will receive an Access to Fashion Pass, valued from $10 to $1000, and lots of fun giveaways! Twenty lucky winners will receive a golden ticket granting them a “meet and greet” with Lady Gaga and early access into the store to shop.

Also, important to note, the opening day coincides with the launch of the much anticipated Isabel Marant collection.  As a special treat, this will be the first store worldwide to debut the Isabel Marant for H&M collection to the public. Are you going to be getting in line?

H&M Times Square, 4 Times Square,  212.221.1709.  9am-1am, daily.

Official Lady Gaga Costumes

Lady Gaga's a savvy business lady. She's got not one, but dozens of icon looks, and now she's selling them at her official store. There are some small ticket items like sunglasses and wigs for $7-$10, but they're pretty generic and something you could easily find elsewhere.

The real noteworthy costumes are the dresses! I'm all for DIY costumes, but if you're out of time and got $50 + shipping to spare, Lady Gaga's got you covered.

Couture Worthy Close Up: Ashi

I recently had a chance to see Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi's collection who designs under the label Ashi.

After graduating from acclaimed fashion schools, working for world-renowned brands and winning Future TV’s Project Fashion, Ashi embarked on his own fashion journey.

He creates one-of-a-kind deconstructed pieces that are intricate in details and carefully crafted. They have a couture level of detail and are surely fit for royalty or perhaps even pop royalty. I have a feeling that Lady Gaga would be perfectly at home in some of these pieces. The muted color palette lend a great sense of sophistication in the sheer and very textural layers of organza. Don't let the delicate appearance fool you though, these dresses are quite substantial and weigh quite a bit! I would love to wear one for an evening.

What do you think of this collection?

Random Fun: Barbie as Lady GaGa

Watch out Louboutin's Cat Burglar Barbie. As cute as you are I don't think you are any match for this insanely amazing Lady GaGa tribute in Barbie doll form that I noticed thanks to Refinery29. They are created by Beijing based doll artist Veik. Unfortunately these Barbie dolls are not for sale.

His meticulous attention to detail really gives life to his creations that derive from Lady GaGa's best/or rather most memorable outfits but in tiny doll form! From Kermit the Frog, to her ensemble when meeting the Queen to McQueen's infamous Armidillo heels, Veik's got the details down!

Veik even gives tutorials on how to create your own GaGa dolls! Omg I want :)

Pop Stars Drop Their Pants

Has anyone else noticed how all of the female pop stars have been trading in their pants for leotards? Awhile back, Erin wrote about the pant-less trend on fall 2009 runways and the red carpet. And now it seems that this trend is in full effect - at least in music videos.

Beyoncé, "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"


Lady Gaga, "Poker Face"

I credit Beyoncé and Lady Gaga for kicking off this trend. I love how Beyoncé kept it classy in her black and white 60's inspired video, and while Lady Gaga always dances on the edge on trashy and tacky, she's does the pantless look in the most glamourous way possible.

Ciara, "Love Sex Magic"
Shakira, "She Wolf"

All of these ladies have amazing bodies and look great in their bodysuits, but I feel like it's already maxing out.  With Ciara and Shakira, they look like they're trying too hard.  A couple phrases come to mind, "leave it to the imagination" and "effortlessly sexy".  I think the splits and rump shaking paired with the leotards is overwhelming.  We get it; you're in amazing shape and totally hot.

By the way, please watch the video for "She Wolf" and tell me what you think - hot or not? One of the best comments I've read about the video, "I don't know if I should laugh or be turned on."

Pantless Couture

At the end of April, I reported that pantlessness was on the rise thanks to Lady Gaga et al. but I never thought it would spread and make it's way into couture culture. While only the 2nd look is completely pantless, the other looks with the sheer skirts, pretty much allude to the same thing. While I think the sheer skirts are quite sexy and effective on the runway, not sure this can translate to real life and real thighs, Will this trend ever die?

Trends: Would You Wear No Pants?

They do it on the runway at Pucci Spring 2009 and Prada Fall 2009.

They do it on the subway (for NYC's Annual Pants Free Subway Ride)

Lady Gaga is doing it.

And now Chanel Iman at the Matthew Williamson for H&M Party

But just because you can doesn't mean it's a good idea. Pants exist for a reason, but for some reason they seem to be cause for a minor fashion rebellion lately. This look might work on the runway, but in real life I think people need pants, leggings or a the least opaque tights! Cause no matter how skinny you are (look at Chanel) it looks like you forgot something at home....sorry to say it but, ahem! Fashion Victim anyone?

It's Friday! Just Dance

Artist: Lady GaGa
Recommended If You Like: Fergie, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry

Lady GaGa's first single, "Just Dance", has been out for awhile now, but I still love it. It's a semi-guilty pleasure. If you think she sounds like Fergie or the Pussycat Dolls, you're right. Before persuing a solo career, she wrote songs for other artists.

Her album comes out at the end of the month. While I'm less impressed by the other tracks that I've previewed, I have to give it to her. This song is the perfect pop club-banger.