Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing, center; with models Kendall Jenner, right, and Gigi Hadid.
The Balmain x H&M fashion collection completely sold out in 250 stores and online after the Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) opened globally at 8 a.m., Nov. 5 to stampedes of fashionistas.
In Washington, D.C., Balmain aficionados camped out overnight at the Penn Quarter H&M location to get first dibs on the 100-piece capsule collection.
The Balmain x H&M collection for men and women brings back retro couture draping, disco styling, Star Trek-inspired and military looks. Fashioned in blacks with energetic colors such as gold, white, reds and greens, the apparel presents dramatic beading, metallic studs in leather, suede and faux fur. The apparel is paired with high fashion accessories including backpacks, earbuds and jewelry.
The H&M fast fashion items sold for as much as $649, and online resellers have already tripled or quadrupled prices of some items.
In a recent interview on the official H&M YouTube channel, Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing said, “Balmain today is a vision of the new world. I think confidence is the most important thing, but also I think sexy and powerful He continued, “I think Balmain DNA is all about unique.”
Rousteing, a mixed-race Parisian, claims to have jolted the brand to unprecedented heights with a 40 percent increase in sales. Celebrities Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West, Kendall Jenner, Jourdan Dunn, and Rihanna have been #BalmainArmy ambassadors for the French fashion house. Recently, Rousteing told OUT magazine he wants Americans, particularly those of mixed racial heritage, to endorse Balmain. “Paris and Balmain need to go global,” he said.