Fashion fans line up for inexpensive Lanvin line at H&M

November 19 was a day to remember. And no, not because it was the day "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1" was released. Instead, I am referring to the day thousands of fashion−conscious men and women began lining up outside none other than fast−fashion retailer H&M.

Why the Harry Potter−like madness? H&M announced in early September its next designer collaboration, this time featuring Alber Elbaz of high fashion house Lanvin. The retailer launched a YouTube teaser video showcasing the collection's highlight pieces. On Nov. 20, the pieces hit stores nationwide.

Although the collection lived up to Lanvin's glamorous style, H&M's prices thankfully did not. Yet another in a long line of collaborations between designers and retailers, including last year's Jimmy Choo for H&M and Alexander McQueen for Target, Lanvin's dresses clocked in at about $200 each. Although the price is hardly within a college student's budget, the dresses, which usually range between $2,000 and $10,000, were a steal.

Yet having $200 in the bank didn't guarantee that hopeful customers would get their hands on the apparel — Boston's own Newbury Street store had a line starting to accumulate at approximately 11 p.m. the night before the Lanvin line launched.

Unfortunately, as you are reading this now, it is already too late. The entire menswear line at the Newbury location sold out shortly after its 8 a.m. opening. By midmorning, the majority of the women's clothing was gone as well.

Though it may seem strange that menswear sold out first, the organization of the event led to such an occurrence. Planners gave customers interested in womenswear a wristband denoting an exact time when they would be allowed into the women's section. Menswear, however, was open to all customers as soon as the doors opened.

Although H&M attempted to put restrictions on shoppers by letting individuals take no more than two of the same item in the same size, the store's efforts were not enough to prevent the collection from selling out well before the line outside had diminished.

All that's left now for hopeful buyers is the unforgiving auctions on eBay, where pieces are selling for twice their retail price and where authenticity is often questionable. As a one−time−only deal, H&M will not be restocking any of the Lanvin products and will only have pieces in store if they have been returned.

Despite my own passion for fashion, I could not bring myself to bear the cold the night before the Lanvin release and stand in a line of fashion−crazed buyers. Still, those who did endure the masses assured me that the quality and fit of the pieces was well worth the consumer headache.

For those who were unimpressed by the off−the−rack Lanvin apparel, an auction was recently held where buyers could bid on haute couture versions of the collection. All proceeds went to support UNICEF as part of H&M's "All for Children" project. The event raised a total amount of $29,063.

The regular Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 Lanvin collections embrace femininity, modernity and functionalism. Many of the pieces are architectural, yet they still feel comfortable and fluid.

Albert Elbaz's pieces for H&M channel these themes, but in a much more youthful manner. Whereas his Spring 2011 pieces are perfect for the mature, fashionable working woman, the H&M pieces are more appealing to a light−hearted, 20−something party girl who likes to make a statement. The dresses feature wildly large ruffles, yet remain cinched at the waist in order to give the wearer shape.

Elbaz also departed from his usual mellow color palette. Though a number of the dresses are black, one is an eye−popping red, another in yellow and yet another in a bright pink floral. Elbaz similarly strayed from his ubiquitous comfortable−yet−glamorous flats, sticking to the party−girl theme with four different types of pointed heels for womenswear, including a leopard−print pair with rhinestones.

Topping the collection off with an entire line of menswear, a range of lipstick colors, oversized jewelry, purses and sunglasses, Elbaz made sure there was little left to be desired among H&M customers. Well, except for more of the same, of course.