H&M Flagship Lands in L.A.
Los Angeles got its first H&M flagship store, which opened on Nov. 9, almost one year after the Swedish-based retailer selected San Francisco as the site of its first California store.
H&M opened a 20,000-square-foot emporium on the eighth floor of the Beverly Center, which features the retailer’s entire selection of men’s, women’s, juniors and children’s clothes.
More than 900 people lined up outside the Beverly Center for a chance to be among the first to shop at the store. Debbie Galo, a 17- year-old high school student, had waited in line since 5 a.m. for her chance to shop at the retailer, which has an avid, worldwide following. “It’s been everywhere but here,” she said, complaining about the retailer’s long absence from Los Angeles.
One of the main attractions at the Beverly Center store was the recently debuted fashion collection Viktor & Rolf for H&M. It’s the most recent collaboration between the retailer, known for its fast fashion and affordable prices, and elite fashion labels. Other collaborations have featured highprofile fashion names such as Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld.
H&M opened its first Southern California store in Pasadena in September. The retailer will continue its California building spree, with three stores scheduled to open in Orange County next spring. The Irvine Spectrum shopping center will be the location of one store. Luxury shopping center South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif., will have two stores. —Andrew Asch
