Buying designer fashion at auction

More people than ever are buying their designer fashion items at auction. The monthly Designer Handbag and Fashion auctions at Chiswick Auctions have witnessed a huge growth of popularity over the last few years, and its easy to see why.

The auctions include handbags, clothing and accessories by great names such Hermes, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and more. The variety of designs at auction is key to the popularity of these sales, where else can you pick up a pristine 90’s Chanel Boucle jacket, a 50’s Hermes Kelly, and an as-new Louis Vuitton scarf? The auction features pieces from the 50’s right up to last-season’s runway pieces, and with prices starting at £80 and going up to the tens of thousands of pounds, there is something for every collector and every budget.

Here are my top reasons for buying at auction

• To save money. Love that designer look but not the price tag? With the exception of Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags, most pre-loved designer items will be selling for far under their current retail prices. Chanel, in particular, have been hiking up their prices year on year, with most of their handbags and jackets priced above £3,000. Despite the quality of Chanel clothing decreasing over the years (if you don’t believe me, check out the exquisite lining of any jacket made before 2000), most Chanel jackets at auction will sell for between £300-600; a fraction of the boutique price.
• To find rare pieces. I am continually amazed by the incredible vintage pieces that I consign every week. Tom Ford for Gucci runway dresses circa 2004, impossible-to-buy Hermes crocodile Birkins in shocking lipstick pink, one-off collaborations between Christian Dior and contemporary-artist Marc Quin- these auctions regularly feature items that are almost impossible to find elsewhere.
• To save the environment. As the world finally wakes up to the environmental problems of so-called ‘fast fashion’, buying pre-loved has never been more fashionable. At auction you can indulge your passion in beautiful items without effecting your carbon-footprint. It’s guilt-free shopping.
• Its fun! Me and my team feel like we have the best job in the world, and if you love fashion you have to check out the auctions. All of the items we sell have been carefully vetted for authenticity and curated to a high standard, so you can shop in confidence.

By Meg Randell

https://auctions.chiswickauctions.co.uk/auctions/9999/srchis10603