Margiela Madness: Street Style at the Margiela for H&M Debut

Today was the launch of the Margiela for H&M collaboration, and we definitely have been feeling the hype for this one. We headed out to an H&M location in mid-town Manhattan to see snap the style of guys shopping the collection and hear their thoughts on the partnership between the Belgian fashion house and the Swedish fast fashion institution.

Compared to previous collaborations, the crowds for this seemed kind of tame, but definitely appealed to a wide base. Chinese tourists with Chanel bags rubbed shoulders with high school kids who were skipping their class on globalization. Women from the Upper East Side with giant lips were standing next to fashionistos with giant scarves. There was a DJ spinning. Unless you consider standing in line with folder arms as dancing, no one was dancing. Here's what guys had to say as they left H&M with giant white bags in tow, so check out Margiela Madness: Street Style at the Margiela for H&M Debut.

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Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Overall Thoughts: It's such poor quality that I'm not that excited about it cause it won't last that long. Definitely a fan of Margiela before this collaboration. It's cool that the younger kids have access to this though. I been a fan of Margiela since…maybe 2008? I appreciate it cause it's bringing it to the masses, so kids who can't really afford Margiela get to have a chance to own something from the brand.

Copped: Shopping for his wife.

Hometown: Upper Manhattan

Overall Thoughts: It's a really good quality for a great price. I was gonna camp out, but I heard the line wasn't long. So I went to school and then came here during lunch to see if they had my size. I've heard of Margiela before. I don't really like their clothing, but I like their footwear. I'm not a fan of the clothing, just the shoes. But I'll definitely look into what Margiela's all about after this.

Copped: I just bought two pairs of sneakers. They're really good.

Hometown: Bogata, Colombia

Overall Thoughts: It was okay. Just okay. The clothes were just okay. Overall, I was not that impressed. I thought it was gonna be better. I think when they take a really high quality or really complex design and then they do it with not very expensive or good quality fabric then it loses a little bit. And still the price points are high.

Copped: I bought the white shirt that is two shirts sewn together.

Hometown: Canarsie, Brooklyn

Overall Thoughts: Bringing the luxury brand to the masses is good, because then the brand becomes more than just a luxury brand. It becomes an exclusive brand since after today you can't really get it. I'm a fan of the Margiela clothing. It's very different, but there's not really a big Margiela retailer in New York. So you have to go to France, and I don't travel that much.

Copped: I came for the shoes. After today I can sell these for like, any price I want. Depending on how they look on my feet when I go home, I only paid $140 for them, so if eBay is offering a thousand dollars, then why not?

Hometown: Sven hailed a cab before we could ask, but we assume somewhere awesome in Scandinavia.

Overall Thoughts: I thought it was not so crowded. Always been a fan of Margiela. It's very nice, but very expensive. It's a nice idea to collaborate with a luxury designer. The collection is nice. The women's is better than the men. There are some things I don't think they will sell, because they are a bit too much of an extravaganza.

Copped: I bought one coat and one jacket.

Hometown: New Jersey

Overall Thoughts: It was a little crazy, but it wasn't like Versace. Nothing's going to run out. I was expecting more guys. I knew a little bit about Margiela but I was never a full-blown fan of it. I only like some of the pieces in the collaboration.

Copped: Planning on getting the sneakers in white and red.

Hometown: Sweden

Overall Thoughts: I had heard about Margiela before, but when I saw the collection it was very nice.

Copped: I got a blazer and I got the sneakers. Cool white shoes. I am wearing a blazer that I bought yesterday at an event. I bought it so you can wear it if you're more dressed up. And I got the sneakers for the weekends when I'm partying. So I think you can wear it wherever - if I want to be cool or if I want to be dressed up.

Hometown: Bedstuy, Brooklyn

Overall Thoughts: Definitely happy they brought down the price point. This is going to be a one of a kind piece many many years from now. When I wear this people will be like "OMG where'd you get this?" It's very very very much Maison Martin Margiela. I'm good with bringing luxury to the masses, cause not everybody can afford designer clothing at their normal prices.

Copped: This woman's jacket right here. It's really a cool piece, it's very intricate, so it fits my amazing unique style.

Hometown: Jackson Heights, Queens

Overall Thoughts: I've been to about six H&M's today, cause I was looking for one product and I couldn't find it. It's not for me personally. I bought these for my boss. I think the collaboration is kinda cheesy. I think it devalues the brand itself. I know that a lot of design houses buy into it because of the money that they make by bringing it to the mass market. But I think it's bad for all the other people who want to maintain the house's prestige.

Copped: Silver Clutch and Disco Scarf

Omar

Hometown: Manhattan

Overall Thoughts: Omar: I thought the collaboration was pretty good. The prices are good, and the leather that they're selling is pretty good too. I've been a fan of Margiela. I got turned onto him by Kanye West. In a couple videos he had a few pieces on like the leather pants he had and a jacket that I liked. This is my first Margiela piece.

Juan: I think they should keep the line. Not like a one day sale, but like an ongoing thing. That'd be nice. Or at least, do it again.

Copped: Omar: The crazy leather Jacket.

Juan: Looking for red sneakers.

Hometown: Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Overall Thoughts: I went right in, got what I needed and went right out. Management was a little tough. I think the men's stuff is a little more interesting to me. This isn't even for me! For friends, family, and my boss. I was the only one who had the day off and they were like, "Soooo..." I was a fan of Margiela before. Super cool to see them collaborate. It's a great idea and all, but the price point is still a little high for what people come to H&M for, but it's nice to know that it's available. Margiela's pretty coveted, so it's all good.

Copped: Five bags worth.

EMTs showed up to help some unknown shopper who couldn't handle the swag.

Hometown: Unknown

Overall Thoughts: Shop 'til you drop.

Copped: Ambulance Bill