By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photo
Model Karen Vance, dressed in sequinned skirt ($98) and a crisp white blouse, stands next to a holiday display at Express, which is divided in half into men’s and women’s sections.

In spite of the news that so many people are unemployed or on the verge of it, up to their noses in credit-card debt and having difficulty paying their necessary bills (rent, mortgage, utilities) on time, it sure didn’t look like anything was amiss at the long-awaited opening of Express Friday.

There was an evening celebration at the newest Ala Moana Center boutique, and both girls and guys came to shop for up-to-the-minute styles at prices somewhere between H&M and Zara. I checked back there late Friday and the crowds hadn’t let up. There were still lines to get to the cashier.

Going for the graphic tees, at $16.50 each.

I haven’t seen this much enthusiasm and quickness to spend in a long time, and I think most people Friday were still shopping for themselves rather than thinking ahead to Christmas. I don’t think they were aware, either, that 15 percent of sales from that evening’s event will go to YWCA of Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program.

Shoppers were greeted with a sale, with some items offered at 40 percent off, and if you’re one of those lunatic Black Friday shoppers, you will be able to take an additional 25 percent off your Express purchase between 6 a.m. and noon that day.

Fun dresses for the holiday season.

Express style expert Kevin Matthews was there to share the company’s fun, flirty holiday collection, as well as help customers with their choices. I was particularly enamored of the black strapless cocktail dress with ostrich feather skirt. Who does ostrich feathers at this price point ($248)? And there are colossal necklaces that appear to have been inspired by Dior.

Matthews said Express’s aim is to be a one-stop shop for all aspects of an individual’s lifestyle — work, leisure and play — from Monday to Sunday.

“There are other brands that do this, but we give amazing fashion that does not break the bank,” he said. The idea is to be able to pick up an outfit and still have money left to go out to dinner or to a club, and for girls, looking so good that someone else will pay for your drinks.

Cheers!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 at 4:11 pm and is filed under Men's, Shop, Shopping events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.