H&M party for Sonia Rykiel, the people

A show is all about the clothes & styling. However we all like checking out the hosts & guests, especially when talking about this lot:

Nathalie & Sonia Rykiel
Eva Herzigova
Micky Green
Elodie Bouchez
Sonia Rykiel & Jean Paul Gaultier
Kate Bosworth
Nadia Auermanm
Bai Ling
Emmanuelle Béart & Sonia Rykiel

H&M party for Sonia Rykiel, Grand Palais

The highly anticipated show presenting the fruits of the collaboration between Sonia Rykiel and H&M, took place last night at the Grand Palais, in Paris. A few words borrowed from the official release will put you in the picture and then... some pictures you'd really wish you were in;)

Held on the first night of December, the H&M party for Sonia Rykiel truly marked the start of the festive season. Embodying the essence of Paris as much as Sonia Rykiel herself, the glittering city inside the Grand Palais was like a sparkling and surreal theme park for adults. The collections were displayed on floats which emerged from a recreation of the Arc de Triomphe, with a Parisian funfair as backdrop.

Seated under a specially made Eiffel Tower, guests were given a preview of the Sonia Rykiel pour H&M lingerie collection, which debuts in around 1,500 H&M stores worldwide from December 5, as well as the knitwear collection for women and girls, which arrives in around 200 stores on February 20, 2010.

Too much thinking or not enough

This is my new favourite knit. Sonia Rykiel, usual make-my-day colours and a 3D bow trapped inside the purls. 195 euros at Printemps, Paris. Am I being silly buying this now, at that price with "Sonia Rykiel for H&M" coming in stores in just a few weeks? Am I silly for buying this French brand, at that price when the tag reads "made in China"?

Rykiel for H&M

Ok, seriously: Breaking News.
H&M and Sonia Rykiel president and artistic director Nathalie Rykiel are proud to announce that Sonia Rykiel will be the next guest designer for winter 2009 and spring 2010.

(Nathalie Rykiel, President and Artistic Director at Sonia Rykiel - photo credit: Photographer Matthieu Salving)

The French house founded by the “Queen of Knits” represents the distinctive, modern and impertinent spirit of Paris. This marks the first time that H&M has extended its designer collaboration to the world of lingerie and related accessories for women, with exclusive pieces to be launched in-store on December 5, 2009.

The collection will be launched in 1,500 H&M stores worldwide and at the same time, Sonia Rykiel will make this lingerie collection available in Sonia Rykiel’s major boutiques around the world – another first for H&M.

Ever fans of surprises, H&M and Sonia Rykiel are pleased to announce a second collaboration for spring 2010, featuring an iconic knitwear collection for women and girls (1.5 to 8 years old) accompanied by playful accessories. This second collection will be launched in around 250 H&M stores on February 20, 2010.

Happy Monday.

If in Paris, don't miss out on...

A fellow blogger is in Paris right now. (It must be the time of the year...) Have been trying to post as many pictures from my trip as possible, among other reasons, to help her make her schedule as complete as possible. It seems though that for the very few days I was there, I took enough shots to declare February The Paris Month for my blog!

Anyway, here are my final notes on what you shouldn't miss out on when in Paris:

1.Didier Ludot's vintage shop at the back alley of Comedie Francaise:

Balenciaga, Lanvin, Chanel, collections from the 1900's onwards. Crazy. Pure eye candy (or style porn if you like!)

2.Galleries Lafayette Gourmet: among other delicious stuff, the herbs. Colourful, aromatic, fresh herbs from all over the world. Joy to your senses...3. Cafe Creme: sit and enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many-many cafes scattered around Paris. The one at rue Saint-Honore is the best spot for trend-spotting. I think Japanese visitors win, by far!4. speaking of Japanese, try the Japanese restaurants in "Little Tokyo", the area opposite the Opera. Haven't had sushi like this in years...5. The Sonia Rykiel retrospective at Musee de la Mode et du Textile. Was so excited about going there, I swear I mispelled Rykiel's name in each and every comment I left on your blogs! And it was worth it: all of her best creations throughout the years stood there, as well as creations inspired by her (the one Gaultier did is my fav) and a rare movie of her catwalks, backstage and on-stage. I am a big BIG fan of SR.(sign at the back reads: the revenge of the poor boy sweater)

Accordingly, the fourth person I am giving this to, is......Juliet from FashionLolita. She is in Paris as these lines are being written, but the fashion lolita she is, she's scheduled posts for us so that she stays in touch. Catwalk picks, hot fashion news, celeb style and all this with a personal touch, it's all there.

I'm glad I find the right chance to say, Juliet, you blog is fab!! (here's what this tag involves)

Have a blast in Paris... (and hope you get a chance to read this before you are back!:))