The Handbag Clinic launches ‘The Inner Circle’ luxury care programme

Luxury restoration and preowned designer retailer The Handbag Clinic has today launched a new year-round care programme called ‘The Inner Circle’.

The care plan will enable luxury investors to more easily maintain the value and condition of their items and “enjoy their wardrobes even more sustainably”, all year round.

The Handbag Clinic’s CEO and Co-Founder, Charlotte Staerck, said: “Investing in luxury is a promise of longevity and we’re excited that, with the launch of The Inner Circle, we can help keep that promise. Luxury items are crafted from delicate and absorbent materials, which look beautiful but are highly disposed to wear and tear.

“Accidental stains are some of the most common problems we treat in the Clinic; dye transfer from jeans, liquid damage in restaurants and bars, hair dye from a visit to the salon, rainwater stains or a pen lid spillage – it can be devastating given the sentimental or monetary value invested.

“Life happens, but that shouldn’t mean we have to save our most treasured items for best. There’s nothing more sustainable than prolonging and preserving the items we already have in our wardrobes. It’s time to resurrect those vintage Manolo’s, dust off your one-of-a-kind ‘Baguette’ - add them into your everyday staples and leave the caring to us.”

Price hikes mean Chanel has become even more popular in the resale space

The booming resale market is reportedly set to double by 2027, reaching £278 billion. It has given rise to a growing cohort of collectors, who use repair and restoration services to keep their luxury-buys in pristine condition to ensure the highest possible resale price in the lucrative resale space.

The Handbag Clinic, which counts Claudia Schiffer, Poppy Delevingne and Frankie Bridge as clients, has a growing community of over 360,000 sustainable shoppers, and also has an ‘Elite’ package offering a bespoke concierge service.

‘Elite’ members can book a consultation with one of The Handbag Clinic’s experts for an in-home service to audit, authenticate and value items they wish to sell on through its resale service.

The restoration and resale retailer stocks a hand-picked collection of authentic pre-owned luxury handbags, luggage and accessories from the world’s most coveted brands, including Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton. It also restores over 700 bags and shoes, including luxury trainers, each month.

Staerck added: “Because there have been around three annual price hikes in recent years, Chanel is one of the most popular brands within the resale space. The chief factor that devalues these handbags is their condition so, it’s essential get upfront protection and regular maintenance treatments if you want to preserve the value of the bag.

“Scratches, scuffs and imperfections all impact the price and it can be the difference between selling it for 85% of its original value to 40%. As the UK’s only fully circular business model, buying, restoring, authenticating and reselling – we are in a unique position to understand this relationship. It’s a little like owning a car; the more you use it, the more it depreciates. But usage should be considered added value for the wearer. Now, through The Inner Circle, you can wear and love them for years.”

The Handbag Clinic’s recent collaborations include a partnership with Selfridges for its Stock Market in-store experience, and also with Fenwick, which houses in-store concessions for The Handbag Clinic in its Newcastle, York and Colchester department stores. Additionally, luxury vintage marketplace Open For Vintage has partnered with The Handbag Clinic as its official repair and restoration service.