Bella Freud's collaboration with Marks and Spencer's has proven to be a hit among shoppers, with items now reselling on eBay for nearly double the original price.

With much of the 27-piece collection, which landed in UK stores last Friday, now out of stock in most sizes, shoppers proved it's not just A-Listers like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss who are keen to sport one of the British designer's slogan jumpers.

Unlike 63-year-old Bella's typical designs, which can cost upwards of £500, the price range of the new collection is far more approachable, with her signature sweaters selling at between £49.50 to £139.

And while shoppers have lapped up Sigmund Freud's great-granddaughter's designs, it was a collection that she was equally thrilled about.

In conversation with The Standard, Bella revealed that it was the brand's quintessential Britishness that encouraged her to make the collection, saying: 'There's something particularly English about M&S.

'It always had that kind of grit that you associate with something authentic.'

Discussing her inspiration behind the new line, Bella explained: 'For some reason, for a lot of my life my inner critic has been very vocal'.

'A good outfit can wrap up your self-consciousness, kind of contain it, and allow you to get on with what you want to do. That's the value of clothes — they're there to do right by you and to send you out into the world well turned-out.'

The collection includes cashmere jumpers, emblazoned with words such as 'Nature', 'Honey' and 'Divine Femme' and cost between £129 and £139, while a merino wool jumper with the words 'Blue Sky' will set you back £49.50.

And while those who ordered online are unlikely to have received their parcels yet, some shoppers have taken to eBay to resell their items at higher prices, with one putting up a £49.50 'Blue Sky' knit up for sale at £95 - almost double the original price.

The 63-year-old added that she was set on including suit pieces in the collection because it can make one 'more distinguished'. 

There's a nod to the trend for all things demure – plus fashion's current obsession with school uniform-like pleated skirts and blazers – in the form of pinstriped tailoring and pussy bow shirts.

Despite the collection's release date being just days ago, many of items are now sold out online in most sizes.

'For Bella, the indispensable piece from the collection is the suit' said M&S when revealing the launch.

The collaboration also includes brightly coloured accessories, such as bold scarves, vibrant beanie hats and eye-catching bags. Prices start at £15 for a M&S x Bella Freud tote. 

Inspired by the history of M&S and how it impacted her own life, Bella visited the M&S company archive in Leeds, immersing herself in the brand, ahead of designing the 27-piece collection alongside the M&S design team in London. 

'Bella worked collaboratively with the M&S design team to create the collection' the retailer revealed. 

'From concepting at the archive and sketching designs in her London studio, through to seeing the collection come to life on set during the campaign shoot.' 

The knitwear in the collection is available in sizes XS to XL, while the wider collection is available in sizes 6 to 24.

It comes after Marks & Spencer revealed the launch of a clothing repair service for the first time.

Since August, the retail giant now offers alterations and repairs to customers, amid increased demand for sustainable fashion and reuse.

It has partnered with Sojo, a specialist repair and tailoring business founded in 2021, to launch the service through its website.

Customers will be able to book services through the M&S Fixed by Sojo online hub, ranging from zip replacements to knitwear mending.

Repairs will start from £5 and allow M&S clothes to be sent off, repaired and returned to customers within 10 days, the retailer said.

Richard Price, managing director of clothing and home at M&S, said: 'At M&S, exceptional quality products are at the heart of everything we do, and we want to ensure that all our clothes are too good to waste.

'Through the launch of our repair service, we're making it even easier for customers to give their clothes another life, whether they are using our new repair service or long-standing clothes recycling scheme.'

Josephine Phillips, founder and chief executive officer of Sojo, said: 'It has always been a core mission of ours at Sojo to make repairing clothes mainstream and to extend the life of as many garments as possible.

'I'm so excited that M&S has chosen to launch a repair service with us at Sojo as it's an incredibly big step towards that mission.

'As a brand that has remained a firm constant in almost every household and wardrobe in Britain, this partnership with truly bring easy, accessible and convenient repairs to the masses.'