Huge crowds at Chinese fashion giant Shein pop-up at Brookside Shopping centre, Mitchelton

The queue stretched out the front door on the first day of Chinese fast fashion giant Shein’s first Brisbane pop-up store event. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY

Huge crowds at the opening of the three-day Shein pop-up store at Brookside Shopping Centre. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The queue stretched out the front door on the first day of Chinese fast fashion giant Shein’s first Brisbane pop-up store event as shoppers hunted for designer threads at bargain prices.

More than 500 people filed through the front doors at Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton in Brisbane’s northwest on Friday, February 9 — and that was just in the morning.

There were already 300 lining up patiently before the doors opened at 9am for the opening of the three-day pop-up.

Some shoppers crammed more than 30 items in their trolleys and many had at least 10.

As well as fashion apparel, Shein was selling cosmetics which also proved a huge hit.

While some male partners were roped into the experience, it was a mainly female affair with a broad age range from 18 to mid-50s.

The Mitchelton event was the brand’s sixth pop-up in Australia.

Opening of the 3-day pop up store Shein, Brookside Shopping Centre. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Bella Heart at the opening. Picture: Patrick Woods

“Shein is thrilled to bring our unique immersive shopping experience to Brisbane, our first stop in Australia this year,” a company spokesperson said.

The pop-up, in a beach club theme, showcased garments, accessories, shoes, homewares and beauty products starting from only a few dollars.

WERE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE POP-UP? SEE OUR PIC GALLERY

Dressed in outfits they had previously bought online from Shein, Trish Kearnay, 55, and her daughter Tara, 22, arrived two hours early to be the first to enter the store.

“That’s where I bought most of my clothes from,” Ms Trish Kearnay said.

“The quality we find is quite good for the price.

“We knew that it would be quite busy because Shein’s quite popular by what I hear.”

Morgan and Bella Racadio at the opening. Picture: Patrick Woods

Esther Chen (left) and Milagros Valdivia at the opening. Picture: Patrick Woods

The Chinese business has made billions, selling into more than 150 countries since its launch in 2008.

Shopper Indiana Hudson, 19, said she was aware of controversies about alleged copyright infringements of big names such as Uniqlo, something Shein strenuously denied, and the environmental impact of fast fashion.

“I definitely didn’t buy from Shein for a while,” Ms Hudson said.

“But in time you don’t have a lot of money yourself, it’s a cheap option when you’re really desperate.”

Mt Maria College student Vikki Wills, 16, was one of many at her school to attend after class got out in the afternoon on Friday.

She said it was interesting to see a brand that was popular among her peers having a pop-up nearby.

“Obviously we have never seen something like this before. It’s very new and trendy,” Ms Wills said.

Mt Maria College student Abby Middleton, 15, left the pop-up with a bag of Shein products for the upcoming Taylor Swift concerts.

“I bought my cousin some stuff because she got tickets,” Ms Middleton said.

The pop-up ends on February 11.