This most certainly was the best invite I got in 2013 (ok, let’s just say the best invite I got ever).

Isabel Marant came on my radar the same year I moved to Antwerp, about a decade ago. I can still remember going to Labels Inc to buy her checkered shirts second-hand because my student budget wasn’t enough to afford anything new. For me she has always been an inspiring lady, even now she has become one of the most famous designers in the world.

When H&M offered us the chance to go to Paris for the presentation of the Isabel Marant collection, it seemed one big dream. Only one little obstacle: there was a spot for only one Merrymaker… drawing straws became the ideal solution and this time destiny decided I could go. But Nathalie is always in my heart so it felt like she was there the entire time.

Before I actually realized all of this was happening, I was already standing at the Gare du Nord in Paris with Tiany from Belmodowatching our driver holding the H&M sign…

Part one of the presentation took place in a suite of the Westin hotel near the Opéra in Paris. We had the chance to take a look at the collection and as the cherry on the cake: a meet and greet with Isabel Marant herself. It was a weird sensation being face to face with the designer that has been inspiring your way of dressing for so many years. She has such an amazing aura, this truly was a fantastic experience.

Before heading to the official party, Marianne from H&M, Sophie from Alerte à Liège, Belmodo Tiany and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at our hotel, the Grand Intercontinental. After dessert the H&M bus took us to a tennis club somewhere in Paris for the official presentation of the collection. In the presence of Isabel Marant herself, Audrey Tautou, Freida Pinto, January Jones and Alek Wek we wandered around with stars in ours eyes, drinking champagne and doing a lot of shopping…of course!

The morning after I still didn’t realize all of this actually happened and until now it seems one big fantastic hell of a dream that I’m going to cherish for a very, very long time.

A BIG thank you to Marianne & Matthieu from H&M Belgium for everything and of course to Tiany from Belmodo & Sophie from Alerte à Liège for their very pleasant company

All images from myself and H&M