Our Meet the Boutique series introduces you to our incredible boutique network, featuring prestigious vintage sellers from around the world. This month, we interview US based vintage boutique Ladybag International. Stocking a phenomenal collection of vintage designer handbags, jewellery and accessories from the likes of Chanel, Hermes, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, many of their pieces are rare or extremely hard to come by.
When was Ladybag International started and why?
After running a textile business in the garment district in NYC for 20 years and collecting bags, clothes, and accessories from around the world, Adrienne (owner of Ladybag International) saw a niche that could be filled in the fashion resale market which hadn't yet been established. This was before internet resale conglomerates existed - eBay was the main site for buying and selling and vintage shops were the only place to find luxury preowned pieces. Adrienne used her business savvy to build a collection tapping fashion houses and movie studios in Europe and started selling at trade shows and online. People began seeking her out to authenticate and consign and eventually she wrote the book High Fashion Handbags to help fashion lovers determine the value in their own personal collections.
What do you love the most about vintage fashion?
The personal stories, histories and meaningfulness attached to every piece. We also love those rare, one-of-a-kind pieces that come around once in a lifetime. The collector’s items no one else in the world would have!
Tell us about the products you stock and what you look for when selecting your products.
We sell high fashion handbags and accessories from Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Judith Leiber, Gucci, Fendi and so many more, and we aim to keep a fresh collection available each season. All our items are in excellent condition and always guaranteed authentic.
What is the most ‘wow’ piece you’ve ever had in stock?
This is a hard one to answer because as we've had so many great pieces it's hard to pick a favourite! We've had one-of-a-kind custom Birkin bags and unique vintage Chanel. Our collection is ever changing and always gorgeous. We try to keep as many unique items in stock as possible at any given time.
Rare Chanel Red Wicker Flap Bag
Rare Hermes Tangerine Orange Niloticus Lizard Sellier Kelly 25cm
Rare Chanel Black Embroidered Python Reissue 2.55 Flap Bag
What is your favourite item you have in stock right now?
Personally, we like our in-house ‘Vintage Reinvented’ brand which takes vintage designer pieces and reworks them into new one-of-a-kind items. We have hand painted Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci bags which are to die for! They are fabulous works of art that no one else in the world has!
What handbag would you recommend for a savvy investment?
You can't go wrong with an Hermes Birkin, Kelly, or classic Chanel. All three of those only increase in value even on the resale market. Chanel prices only go up, even when the economy goes down. The Hermes Birkin's and Kelly's are tried and true investments. Any one of those is a very smart purchase.
Hermes Black Togo Leather Birkin 40cm
Hermes Craie Togo Leather Birkin 35cm
Discover Ladybag International's amazing collection of luxury vintage now.
