The Fashion Statement: Lanvin for eBay, I mean H&M

by Kristin Young (RSS feed)
Nov 23rd 2010 at 8:01AM

Yeah, I did it. Early Saturday morning, I hauled myself out of bed and headed downtown to stand outside in the freezing cold for hours...just to get my hands on a Lanvin for H&M dress. I was in Washington, D.C., and that was good, I thought. The collection was going to be in only one store in the D.C/Maryland/Virginia area. Still, I'd have better odds at F. Street, NW, than on 5th Avenue in New York or the Bev Center in L.A.

An H&M saleswoman told me that the store would open by 8 a.m. and if I got there between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., I should be okay. I arrived at 6 a.m. and was within the first 80 people. Not bad, I thought. I'll definitely get my hands on the dress I want. This is totally worth it.

Just before 8 a.m., they handed out colored wristbands and canvas gift bags containing a Lanvin for H&M scarf. Very nice. Each color wristband would allow 20 people at a time to shop the collection. They'd have 15 minutes. I was in the fourth group which would get me in by 9 a.m. Security everywhere. Very organized. Impressive.

Then the doors opened and, literally, all hell broke loose. Like Supermarket Sweep, people rushed the back corner where the collection was cordoned off, got through the metal barricades and started grabbing. The guards insisted nobody got in before their appointed time. But by the time order was restored and I got in, the collection was completely gone. I actually did walk away with a dress but only because it was too small for someone else.

H&M ostensibly enforces "a limit of purchasing a maximum of two pieces per product, i.e. not more than two sizes or pieces per product per customer." They're most likely trying to discourage people from flipping the merchandise for a profit. Lot of good that did them. I saw an army of guys walk out with armloads of dresses, T-shirts and shoes. You're telling me they're preparing for a New Year's Eve party?

Sure enough, Lanvin for H&M is a hot ticket on eBay. Page after page is filled with dresses and T-shirts. At the store, most dresses were tagged $199. On eBay, "buy it now" options are reaching $700!

As a Facebook friend put it: Lanvin should have just created a collection for eBay.

Did any of you go? Tell us your Lanvin for H&M story.

Tags: eBay, HM, Lanvin

Filed under: Apparel, The Fashion Statement

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

chinamom Nov 23rd 2010 10:17AM

seriously? I was at H & M yesterday in LA and there were TONS of these on the racks. Most were really not attractive.

Louie Nov 23rd 2010 11:54AM

Hm. It will be interesting to see what exactly this does for the Lanvin brand, which is supposed to be uber-exclusive. Kind of pisses away some of that exclusivity, no?

Tip of the Day Nov 23rd 2010 1:39PM

Prices are really coming down on ebay. I think the bubble popped a bit, at least on some items. I bought the black zebra coat last night for $250 including shipping. It retailed for $199. I too would have gone to the DC store. Glad I missed the mess. By the time I add in gas, tolls, parking, time and frustration, I probably made out better on ebay.

I really would have liked to have seen a review of each item. I've seen sporatic comments about which pieces were disappointing and which looked more like the true Lanvin line. It's definitely preventing me from buying other pieces. That and sizing. I think the Narciso Rodriquez for eBay collection was the right way to go. Easy returns. I felt very comfortable ordering because I knew I could easily return if I didn't like or it didn't fit. With H&M Lanvin, it's the wild west. I hope this coat pans out.

yasemin Nov 23rd 2010 5:47PM

I did go today in frankfurt/germany. since all investment bankers live in frankfurt they just don't have the time to stend in line and besides if they wanted lanvin they coud afford it anyways. so it was ok. I had be be there and take pictures for our magazine's facebook page. actually it was strictly forbidden I did it anyways and kind of felt illegal because of all the security. I had to get up at 5 am, arrived at 7 and my wristband allowed be to go in at 8:40. no one even realized I was taking pictures, just piling all the clothes. I bought some stuff and put it on ebay myself..since I had to wake up that early ;)...the sunglasses go very well already even though i find them ugly as hell (sorry^^). I agree with the comment before. many people prefer not to wake up early and put up with all the restrictions. if it wasn't for work, i wouldnt have gone at all. but the dresses surprised me. I bought the black petticoat tutu and the yellow ruffled dress. the yellow one is ace even though I hate the colour but the cut is faboulus. I like the tutu one, too. it fits to curvier women like me but the quality ist not that good, some threads are alreday sticking out. Still better that the usual H&M fabrics.

parisbreakfast Nov 24th 2010 6:40AM

WOW!
What a story!
It was soooo organized in NYC and I didn't even know the rules till I got there. I was lucky to get a bracelet for 12:25 and there was plenty left because they kept replenishing, though not the FAB glasses were gone in like 2 minutes I heard.
They must of had very few to begin with IMO :(
I LOVE my men's black wook blazer jacket with the piping and the T-shirt designs which look just like the cheesey but adorable ones he makes for his own line at $450 so I'm pretty satisfied.
If I could have worn the ruffly dresses I would have-tres mignon IMO.
They told me no pics too but they had other stuff to take care of so...
more here:
http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2010/11/h-lanvin.html
Thanks! Carolg