The window displays have been unveiled, the stock has arrived and the countdown has begun … it’s the biggest designer/high street collection of the year, and with just days to go bosses of H&M are expecting quite a crowd for the launch of Jimmy Choo.

The Bullring store is one of only seven outside London that will be stocking the affordable must-have line from one of the world’s most luxurious labels. Masterminded by Tamara Mellon, Jimmy Choo’s glamorous founder, the collection features a range of striking accessories and marks the brand’s first foray into clothing for both men and women.

Doors will be opening an hour earlier than usual – at 9am – for its debut on Saturday (November 14) giving salivating shoppers the chance to get their hands on these expertly cut pieces that have a real nod towards an 80s-inspired wardrobe.

Not surprisingly, demand is set to be very high and city fashionistas are expected to be queuing early to ensure they take home something from the collection.

We’ve had a sneak preview and picked out favourite items … see you in the queue!

Ladies clothes: Leather jacket, £149.99, sequin cardigan, £49.99, suede fringe dress, £149.99, leather one-shoulder dress, £149.99.

Ladies shoes: Zebra print ballerina pumps, £49.99, high heel sandals, £79.99, and over-the-knee boots, £179.99

Bags: Shocking pink hard-cased clutch, £39.99, animal print and stud detail gold strap bag, £59.99, leather slouch, £179.99.

Accessories: Studded leather belt, £39.99, and cuff, £24.99, scarves, £29.99.

To make sure the launch is as calm and well organised as possible, H&M has issued a set of guidelines:

1: If there is a line outside the store, please join the queue and H&M store staff will inform you about how to shop.

2: The first 160 people in line will receive a bracelet that will give you a specific time for shopping in the designated area. The bracelets are only needed for the women’s shoes, bags and accessories. Customers shopping the men’s collection or the women’s garments will not require a bracelet.

3: When it is your time, you will be let you into the designated area to shop.

4: If you are not one of the first 160 in line, you have the opportunity to shop from the rest of the collection or the rest of the store. After about two hours we will also open up the designated area for all of our customers.

5: To make sure as many customers as possible are able to buy from the Jimmy Choo for H&M collection, there are limitations on purchases.

For details on what pieces will be stocked at the Bullring store and more info on the queuing system see http://www.hm.com/gb/#/jimmychoo/

Launching on Thursday November 19, the range features key statement pieces that will ensure you stand out from the crowd at the festive parties. Opt for a head to toe glamour with glitzy all-over sequin tunics, high shimmer leggings, black suede over-the-knee boots and over-sized statement accessories for extra bling. It will be available from Evans in the Pavilions.

Soul diva Chaka Khan explains: “Evans make clothes that are comfortable, slimming and multi faceted. You can dress up or down and still look fab! These are clothes for girls who have backs and racks!”

Pictured: Black spotty jumper £39.50, silver bangle £15, batwing top £40, leggings £20, and black suede over-the-knee boots £45.

Christmas Carol at the Birmingham REP – November 25-January 9: This Christmas, Charles Dickens’ heartwarming family favourite comes to life in a fabulous new stage adaptation. Watch Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s taken on a journey through the vivid and enchanting worlds of past, present and future. Will Scrooge change his ways in time for Christmas Day?

For tickets and more info: http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/event/a-christmas-carol
 
The Nutcracker at the Birmigham Hippodrome - November 27-December 13: A timeless Christmas classic, performed by the exquisite Birmingham Royal Ballet. Follow Clara as she and her Nutcracker prince battle the King Rat and his army before being transported on a magical journey from the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets, from Chinese Dancers to the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara is spirited away on an unforgettable adventure.

For tickets and more info: http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/whatson_focus.asp?showid=1618
 
Classical Spectacular at the NIA - December 5: A new production featuring lights, lasers and fireworks, the programme includes Handel’s Zadok the Priest, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5, Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers Duet, Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. Performed by the English Concert Chorus, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, The Band of the Welsh Guards and the Muskets and Cannons of the Moscow Militia.

For tickets and more info: http://www.thenia.co.uk/whatson/classical-spectacular

Lesley Garrett Christmas Gala Concert at the Symphony Hall - December 9: Britain’s most popular soprano presents a gala evening of carols and seasonal songs, as well as opera and classical arias from her most recent album Amazing Grace. The programme will also include music by composers such as Mozart, Vivaldi, Puccini, John Rutter, Karl Jenkins, Bach and Verdi.
 
For tickets and more info: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/lesley-garrett-christmas-gala-concert
 
Sleeping Beauty at the Birmingham Hippodrome - December 19-January 31: Joe Pasquale, Ray Quinn, Lucy Evans and Ceri Dupree star in this year’s family panto. The festive treat features stunning staging and sets and spectacular visual effects, including brand-new 3D technology.

For tickets and more info: http://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/WhatsOn_focus.asp?showId=1604
 
The Gruffalo at the Town Hall - December 23- January 3: One for the younger kids (and of course mums and dads too). join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged three and up.

For tickets and info: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-gruffalo-1
 
New Year’s Eve Gala at the Symphony Hall - December 31: Welcome in 2010 with a wonderful concert bursting with rousing classics from Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Puccinin’s O mio babbino caro to Strauss’s Radetzky March and Mozart’s Queen of the Night. Shows are at 5pm and 9.30pm.

For tickets and info: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/new-years-eve-gala-dec2009

The Snowman at the Birmingham REP – January 15-January 31: This spectacular production of this classic tale flies back to Birmingham. Follow a young boy’s adventure as his snowman comes to life and together they embark on an incredible adventure.

For tickets and info: http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/event/the-snowman-2010

Until Monday November 23, spend £500 on Men’s Formalwear at the Mailbox store and will receive a £50 Promotional Gift Voucher.

Whether you like the smooth Italian tailoring of Armani Collezione or the traditional British charm of Paul Smith London, you can choose from a wide selection of tailored jackets and trousers as well as co-ordinating shirts and knitwear.

Vouchers can only be issued for purchases made from the Men’s Formalwear departments in all stores, however the Gift Vouchers can be redeemed in all departments until Wednesday December 23. (Terms and conditions apply, see in store for details).

Put another dime in the juke box baby … we love rock ‘n’ roll. And we are so loving French Connections new range of T-shirts featuring some of the greatest music legends.

The capsule rock range features images of Kurt Cobain, Blondie, Jimmy Hendrix and Sid Viscious and will bring instant star quality to any outfit.

Show your rebellious side by wearing under a slick, tailored suit or wear with your favourite denims for slouch chic. They cost £25 each and will be in the Bullring store from December.

By spending just £10 at any or a combination of stores at the centre and showing the receipt/s, shoppers can enjoy a range of offers from:

• National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham – two for the price of one
• Black Country Living Museum – kids go free.
• Dudley Zoo – kids go free.
• Thinktank – 25 % off admission to Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum.
• Cadbury World – 20 % off the admission to Cadbury’s World.

Vouchers are available from the Customer Services Desk at The Pallasades on production of valid receipt(s). Terms and conditions apply.

He is latest fashion luminary to team up with Evian to create a specially designed bottle of water for the festive season. Following hot on the very stylish heels of John Paul Gaultier (2008) and Christian Lacroix (2007), the cool Brit’s bottles are available now at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

Featuring his iconic, graphic prints, the designer’s latest must-have echoes his lively fashion collections with famous stripes adorning the botte. “When I started the designs, I wanted to use lovely, bright, fun colours as life is about living young, being youthful and enjoying yourself every day,” he explains.

Get in quick though if you want to add a splash of designer chic to your Christmas dinner table – these bottles are only on the shelves for a limited period.

Social media is the buzzword in fashion these days – it’s very much a case of miss it and miss out. In fact, as well as being able to track Style Birmingham on Twitter and Facebook we have also launched our very own iPhone app – proving we really are streets ahead of the fashion pack. So to keep you in the know when it comes to the hottest style news, here’s our favourite 

1: Style Birmingham: Well, we couldn’t miss ourselves out, could we? Fashion news, gossip and info from the leading lifestyle site in the Midlands.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/stylebirmingham and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/STYLE-Birmingham/83205353787?ref=ts

2: Bullring: The city’s premier shopping destination offers updates on sales, offers and events from 150+ stores.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/Bullring and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/bullring?ref=ts

3: Harvey Nichols: The Birmingham store has its own Twitter feed with the latest from the world of luxury designers, as well as a company-wide Facebook group.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/HN_Birmingham and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Harvey-Nichols/22395898684?ref=ts

4: Clements & Church: Birmingham’s exclusive tailors may use traditional techniques when it comes to men’s suiting, but is no slouch in the high-tech world.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/ClementsChurch and http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=100000095503781&ref=ts

5: Helen Hulston: The leading independent jewellers, based in the Great Western Arcade, keeps up to date with customers on-line.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/HelenHulston

6: Selfridges: You’ll find news, celebrity visits and events from the leading department store.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/Selfridges and http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=57222209106#/selfridges?ref=ts

7: Brilliantly Birmingham: News and event info from the city’s annual celebration of contemporary jewellery.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/BrilliantlyBham

8: Accessorize: Keep up to date with the latest from this leading accessories store, which has branches across the city.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/Accessorize and http://www.facebook.com/pages/ACCESSORIZE/100947182366

9: NEXT: One of the biggest players on the high street, the on-line sites keep followers up to date with celebrity fans, competitions and offers.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/nextofficial

10: Topshop: One of the most followed groups on Twitter – yes, they have more than 33,000 fans! – keeps you in the know when it comes to one of the high street leaders.

Follow at: http://twitter.com/Topshop_tweets

The range includes Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream, £14: Body Lotion, £25, Body Wash, £12.50, and Body Butter, £20, all designed to restore and hydrates - exactly what your skin needs at this time of the year.

Launched in stores this week, you’ll find the collection at Selfridges, Debenhams, House of Fraser and larger Boots.

The band’s new line-up will be joined by The Noisettes, JLS and Chipmunk at the festive event which will be held at Millennium Point from 2pm. Organisers say more big names will be announced soon. The city’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 7:30pm, accompanied by a fireworks display and will be compered by BRMB presenter Russ Morris.

The Christmas Lights Weekend will also see a visit from Santa and his reindeer as they join the Lantern Parade on Sunday November 15 in the city centre, leaving High Street at 4:30pm and arriving in Brindleyplace at 5:30pm.

Birmingham’s Christmas Lights Switch On is just one of many free events on offer over the Christmas season. For more information call 0121 303 3008 or go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/christmas

These beautiful products for the home include spiced and freshly scented candles and milkwood finebone china for the bathroom. And, if you purchase selected product* from the new home range accessories range until November 4, you will receive a complimentary rosé granati or naran ji airlight candle (*see in-store for terms and conditions).

How would you describe your own personal style? I would have to say very traditional. I really like a good-quality, tailored suits from Saville Row in London which I suppose is quite a classic

Which celebrities do you think get it ‘right’? I think the people who look best are those who don’t try too hard and appear effortlessly stylish. Nowadays people seem to attempt to outdo each other in the fashion stakes but simple, classic style always stands out. A perfect example is Prince Charles because he always displays a natural, classic style.

What’s your biggest fashion faux par? I think it has to be a black, fake fur bomber jacket from 1985. It even had fake talons on the collar and ‘gigolo’ written across the back in silver plastic!

What’s the most exciting thing about working in the fashion industry? There are so many interesting people to meet in the fashion industry. It’s great to mix with such a wide and diverse range of people.

What item of clothing do you always turn to when you want to feel fabulous? I definitely feel my best in a good tailored suit, preferably in blue.

What’s the most embarrassing CD you own? Oh I have hundreds – well, to me they don’t feel embarrassing but I know that they are. I think if I had to choose, my most embarrassing CD would be Chris Rea’s Greatest Hits.

What item of clothing is still in your wardrobe that should’ve been dumped long ago? A pale blue corduroy suit – on the other hand, actually I may wear it to the Style Awards next year!

Who are your favourite designers? Well as I keep mentioning, I do like a well tailored suit and Richard James, Oliver Benjamin and Paul Smith do some really excellent ones.

What are your favourite high street stores? My favourite high street store is River Island, but I suppose I have to say that because my wife works for them. I do also quite like H&M, I think there’re some good pieces found there.

What’s your top fashion tip? When it comes to shopping, men need to learn how to browse. Men are normally straight in and out of shops but there is a lot to be said for having a proper browse. Also a lot of men get their wives to buy their clothes – please don’t! Oh and always brush your teeth before you go out.