Balmain H&M range appears on eBay for six times the price

Updated
Balmain For H&M Collection Launch
Balmain For H&M Collection Launch



H&M has sparked a frenzy with the launch of its new Balmain collection, with overnight queues at some stores and items selling on eBay for several times the retail price.
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Yesterday morning, hundreds of shoppers were given a special ten-minute slot at the company's Manchester store after queuing through the night.

Things were equally frantic around the world, with overnight queues in London, a stampede in Florence and a full-blown riot in Turkey. Meanwhile, customers trying to buy online reported frequent website crashes as the system was overwhelmed.

But not all these fashion fans have been buying the clothes for themselves. Within hours of the stores' opening, items were popping up for sale on eBay and other online sites at vastly inflated prices.

One beaded jacket originally costing £299.99 is up for sale with a current highest bid of £1,800.00. Another top with an original price tag of £79.99 has sold for over £400.

Balmain For H&M Collection Launch
Balmain For H&M Collection Launch



The designer's clothes are known for their drama, and are favourites of the Kardashian sisters.

"With its mix of couture spirit and streetwear attitude, Balmain owns a unique style, at once opulent and direct, sensual and energetic," says Ann-Sofie Johansson, creative advisor at H&M.
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"It is also closely linked to the show business and music worlds, which adds another element of surprise."

The collection is - in theory - available from 250 stores around the world, as well as online. However, everything appears to now be completely sold out.

"We're sorry to hear that customers are disappointed with our designer launch and for this we apologise," says H&M in a statement.

"The interest for this launch has exceeded all collaborations and we're truly sorry for those not being able to shop."

Now, it seems, anyone really determined to bag a particular item will have no option but to buy it from one of the scalpers.

But what many people may not realise is that, at these resale prices, many H&M Balmain items are actually more expensive than pieces from the main collection.

At Harrods, for example, there's a fair selection of Balmain jackets, costing from just £975. The cheapest item of all is a funnel-neck jumper costing just £400. You won't need to queue - and you won't need to mention H&M.

H&M's Balmain Collection Causes Frenzy
H&M's Balmain Collection Causes Frenzy


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