This is
LONDON
17/11/05 - London Cuts section
Stella stampede keeps rolling on eBay
By Georgina Littlejohn, Evening Standard
Label lovers are paying up to three times the high street price to get their hands on pieces from Stella McCartney's sought-after H&M line.
Within hours of the designer's limited-edition Diffusion range hitting the shelves last week, items were being offered for sale on auction website eBay.
After a week of frenzied bidding those who managed to get their hands on the coveted items - which sold out within moments of going on sale - are now walking away with a substantial profit.
One seller managed to auction a £59.99 teal green silk dress for £190, while a knitted blouson made a £115 profit for the person lucky enough to pay £59.99 for it at a branch of H&M. Trench coats and skinny jeans have also started eBay bidding wars.
Tamasin Doe, fashion director for In Style magazine, said: " Stella McCartney's clothes are brilliant high fashion but very expensive, so this has given people a chance to own something of hers for a much lower price.
"I think people are snapping them up on eBay not only because they sold out so quickly at H&M but also because of the rarity value and because they're a limited edition.
"Even though people are paying in some cases almost four times the H&M retail price, it's still a lot cheaper than going to Stella's shop. In the grand scheme of things, paying £200 for a dress is nothing compared with £700."
One seller, who gave her name only as Melanie, sold several H& M McCartney items via eBay, including a silk dress, a cashmere coat and a grey top. She said: "I heard about the H&M collection and decided to pop into one of the stores on opening day to get some stuff for myself and a couple of pieces for sale on eBay. I had anticipated that there were people out there who were very keen on Stella McCartney but I certainly didn't expect the response to be this good. So far, I have posted about six items. EBaying is my hobby, so making 20 to 30 per cent in profits on these clothes is a bonus to me."
A spokeswoman for H&M refused to comment on the eBay auctions but hiring McCartney to design a range has proved to be a huge marketing coup.
The shop attracted publicity after its model for the range, Kate Moss, was dropped following revelations about her drug use. Then scenes of women fighting over items were shown around the world.
Find this story at http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/londoncuts/articles/20954849?version=1
©2005 Associated New Media
Does anyone have a pair that they don't want? PM me please!
