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HM x BALMAIN

by Claire Chanelle

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I seriously do not even know where to start with this. Apologies in advance for over using words such as; amazing, incredible, insane. You will be hearing a lot of this within the next five minutes.

Let’s start with my BALMAIN addiction. My Balmain collection has it’s own wardrobe and my motto is to save for luxury pieces that stand the test of time and then mix it with high street. I live in HM so this is just all too much for me. I promised myself no more HM collaboration, I simply can not deal with the stress. The waiting for look book, the waiting of the pieces, the awfulness when you need to move your entire bank balances around to think “right what can I afford” and the realisation you can’t really afford any of it but you need all of it! Then there is the FIGHT, the fight to get in that store and grab your pieces. I am terrified and feel sick that I have another two weeks of this stress. I will probably have an asthma attack in the middle of HM and have to leave.

I always said to myself never again am I doing this, I will only do this if HM collaborate with CHANEL or Balmain, but that’s never going to happen. Erm it did happen. Please don’t collaborate with CHANEL, that will kill me for sure.

The day I saw that video pop up on the HM Instagram, believe it or not I was filled with terror because I knew what was about to begin. I knew I would be obsessed with getting this collection and spending way too much money on it. It is a dream come true but this collection has taken over my mind space.

I was so privilege to visit the show room this week. To start with the show room is super lush, white marble and a huge open space. The press team all looked incredible which I didn’t appreciate because everyone single one of them had a HM Balmain outfit on that wasn’t in my top picks, but seeing the pieces on them, they are now in my top picks. Thanks for this guys, you made it all so much worse for me. One of the girls had the gold and black beaded dress on, it fitted her like a glove and gave her that full on BALMAIN tight, tailored look. She even had her phone in the front pocket and we all need a pocket for our gadgets.

I know BALMAIN as a brand inside out. I know first hand what it feels like to wear BALMAIN. I always say on my blog, yes they are expensive but there is no comparison to how a BALMAIN blazer looks, fits and feels. I can therefore tell you if this collection is A. worth the stress. B. worth the money. C. worth the waiting/camping outside HM and D. are you better off just buying the from the main line.

I did have my reservations that the collection would be cheap looking and not worth the money. Maybe it would be better to just save for the “real thing”? I can honestly say (you know I am also honest) I was actually slightly annoyed how god dam good this collection was. Imagine how annoyed I am; the amount of money I have spent on the blazers and no joke the HM ones are THE SAME, they are the same. A few months ago I bought a white blazer with the double breasted gold buttons. I also bought it one size too big (not by choice.) The money I spent tailoring the jacket is more than the HM one!!! I am still getting over this horror. For me it is without a doubt more than worth those few hours waiting outside the store. The prices are expensive but the craftsmanship, details, hardware and fabrics are of a high standard and you are getting that exact BALMAIN look. Its insane how exact the collection is.

The day of the press day I was so rushed and spent the morning in the country picking sofa fabrics. I then had to rush back to London because I couldn’t risk not seeing this. I didn’t have time to go home and get changed or drop Tallulah off. I was so hot in my Acne coat and I had a thick jumper on with no tee underneath so I couldn’t try anything on, GUTTED. If I knew the HM team better I would have happily undressed in the open but I think they would have thrown me out. My camera battery also died half way through my video, sorry I do not have more images to share. Thank fully HM press team have provided me the price list an images 🙂 Scroll down to see them.

A lot of people have been telling they don’t think the beaded, glitzy items are worth the money and everyone will have them. NO, everyone will not have them. The pieces are limited and they will sell out across the country within two hours, I am sure of it. They are glitzy but they are special pieces to keep forever. If you look at the original BALMAIN photos (below) you can see the similarities between the BALMAIN and HMBALMAIN, it’s the same. Olivier Rousting has actually picked out the most expensive pieces to recreate and the pearl jacket was around £8k/£9k and HM are selling this for £299! It is literally a true come true for me. If you click here you can read an article I wrote about the BALMAIN pearl jacket, when I first started blogging years ago. This is proof I have wanted this pearl jacket for years and it really is the jacket of my dreams. God help me if I don’t mange to get it. The leather pant’s are also high on my list because I live in my one pair of HM leather pants and would love a new pair. BALMAIN are the dream but they are £2k. HMBALMAIN will be £199. Are you excited yet?

HM BALMAIN LM (1 of 4) HM BALMAIN LM (2 of 4) HM BALMAIN LM (3 of 4) HM BALMAIN LM (4 of 4)

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Balmain’s womenswear collection for H&M is rich in detail and craftsmanship, encapsulating the themes and signatures that have made Balmain one of the most important luxury brands of the 21st century. Creative Director Olivier Rousteing has brought his passion for design to every piece in the collection, which includes elaborate dresses, sharp tailoring and everyday pieces with attitude. Intricate embroidery and powerful silhouettes run throughout, together with Parisian flair and always a sense of effortlessness. The collection will be available in selected stores worldwide, as well as online at hm.com, from Thursday 5th November 2015. London stores will be Oxford Street, Regent Street and Westfield shopping centre. The key elements are; Women’s silhouettes, Feminine material, Powerful details and Rich embellishment (YES.)

Enjoy the photo and the full price list. Please note there is a mistake on one of the items. The green suede pants are listed at £19.99 but they are actually £199.99.

GOOD LUCK getting you items, it will all be worth it. May god be with you but please do not get in my way if you see me. Just kidding (I am actually not kidding.)

MY TOP PICKS

                HM BALMAIN LM (1 of 1)  HM BALMAIN LM (2 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (3 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (5 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (6 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (7 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (8 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (9 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (10 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (11 of 12) HM BALMAIN LM (12 of 12)

HM Show Room

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HM BALMAIN LM (1 of 9)HM BALMAIN LM (2 of 9)

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HM BALMAIN LM (9 of 9)

PRICE LIST 

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CC xx

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16 comments

Stevie October 23, 2015 - 10:28 am

I swear you are the Balmain queen ! Also thanks for putting up the prices , I can’t believe it’s so affordable. The military leather jacket is everything. Great post and such a great read.

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Kelly Ward October 23, 2015 - 10:42 am

Love this ! I’m soooo in love with the pearl jacket. I wasn’t going to bother because I thought it might be too expensive, but now I can see it’s definitely worth the long queues and there are some affordable pieces. Roll on November 5th! Thanks Chouquette Xoxo

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Victoria October 23, 2015 - 10:53 am

It’s all so dreamy! Cannot believe how good the quality is! I bloody NEED the black sleeveless mini dress and the cream blazer. Elbows at the ready….

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Sandra October 23, 2015 - 11:14 am

Thanks for the prices! I linked you on my blog 😀
xx Sandra
http://saansh.com/

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BALMAIN x H&M | saansh – by Sandra Pietras October 23, 2015 - 11:15 am

[…] hier bei clairechanelle.com findet Ihr alle Preise! Ich bin positiv überrascht was meine Lieblingsteile […]

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Gemma Emmel October 23, 2015 - 11:25 am

I can’t wait to see you wearing the collection, I love how you style outfits xxxx kisses xxx

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Samantha October 23, 2015 - 4:34 pm

Hi!
Thanks so much for sharing!!!

How is the fit of the pieces? Do they run big, small or true to size?

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Chouquette October 23, 2015 - 4:41 pm

The sizing is like HM sizing but be mindful that the Balmain silhouettes are always oversized. So the blazer jackets will be oversized. I would take the size you usually take in HM.

I find HM sizes run small and I find Balmain sizes run small.

I hope this helps x

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Lulu October 23, 2015 - 5:06 pm

Why would you need to queue for HM Balmain if you previledge to go to the showroom surely you’d be to invited to the pre launch on the 4th Nov! You keep stating on your snapchat your going to have to camp/Queue are youwinding your followers up? We are the ones that will have to queue.

I hope HM will have restrictions one size per item, what annoyed me most about the Isabel Marant collection pro Ebayers were grabbing 2/3 of the same items in different sizes and selling on Ebay twice the amount. I was there and saw it happen!

I who appreciate fashion will wear what i buy and not sell on!

Good luck ladies im having heart palpitations thinking about it!

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Chouquette October 23, 2015 - 5:41 pm

Hi Lulu,

Thanks for you comment, you made two valid points.

First of all you’re right I was so lucky to visit the showroom. Most people thought I shopped there but no one was allowed to shop, it’s just a preview and I was so excited to see the collection so early and share all the details with you all. I would LOVE to attend the PRESS preview to shop early but as of yet I haven’t been invited, booooo. Maybe I will be invited, who knows.

As it stands I will be queuing with my friend. We have been known to queue from 6am for sample sales! The queuing will be horrendous but it will make us love our purchases even more.

I totally agree with the reseller thing. My friends and I were talking about this yesterday (during our shopping mission talk) and we were also saying that resellers ruin it for the people like us who want it for ourselves and not to resell. These resellers will be the ones camping because they have the incentive of making money. It’s not fair.

To conclude; I have queued every single time and I will be queuing again just like everyone else. I hope you get what you want, tag me on Instagram if you get anything.

Xx

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Ying October 23, 2015 - 6:52 pm

I’m absolutely loving this post! I wasn’t too sure about the collection but now i just want EVERYTHING!!!! You are the best, thanks for sharing this xx

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shan October 23, 2015 - 9:00 pm

Claire you literally took the words from my mouth i absolutely love Balmain and have been obessed to the point of feeling sick, I’m so overwhelmed and stressed i had chosen 7 pieces from the collection until i saw this video and have been totally thrown of course the blue dress is literally bomb and i need it and 7 other pieces. The video shows other pieces that haven’t even been released to the public https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB9fuZzpnPU

I think i might have a heart attack if i don’t manage to get everything i need its not even a matter of want but a need, i pray i win tickets to the early shop event on Wednesday , good luck to everyone and may the gods be with you.

Amazing post your blog is favourite by far !!

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vicky October 24, 2015 - 12:33 pm

Take a big strong man with you or maybe a few !! And have them fight for you..if anyone deserves first dibs its you . good luck xxx

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toyah October 26, 2015 - 11:00 am

Hi

Would you say that 6am is early enough to start queuing or would you suggest going a tad earlier? I will be going to the Birmingham h&m by the way
xx

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Chouquette October 28, 2015 - 9:00 am

I would suggest earlier. However maybe your area won’t be as busy as Birmingham? Feel free to get extra pearl jackets and sell to me! I am scared I won’t get one x

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Delilah November 4, 2015 - 10:35 pm

Can’t wait for tomorrow! Good luck in getting your favourites…

I have a question- the runway show had some items that I can’t see online, such as the blue jewelled dress, were they just for the show do you know? Or are these only available in store?

Thanks in advance!

Reply

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