he Red Carpet itself took up half a city block, red spotlights shone from the corner marquis, and red Gerbera daisy topiaries lined the path to the entrance of H&M’s newest Northwest installation in Downtown Seattle. Fashionistas – young, mature, excitable and jaded – crowded the two-story location with armfuls of price-point-specific Fall fashion in one hand, a glass of wine in another (white, in case of spills).

“I’m leaving town on business, but I had to shop before I left,” one shopper told us, as she popped a petit hors d’oeuvres (by top-notch RDL Catering) into her mouth. Her other arm was reserved for a cluster of sweaters and tops. She hadn’t quite made it to the dressing room, which had a deep line within minutes of the opening.