Our Meet the Boutique series introduces you to our incredible boutique network, featuring prestigious vintage sellers from around the world. This month, we interview Amsterdam based Etoile Luxury Vintage. Stocking an incredible collection of designer handbags, jewellery and accessories sourced from across the globe, we ask Etoile some quick-fire questions on the birth of Etoile, their passion for vintage, and their best advice when it comes to making your next purchase.
- Tell us where your boutique is located, and one thing you love about the area.
We have 3 stores - all are located in the city centre of Amsterdam. We love this area because we have the perfect mix of customers, both tourists and locals, and so remain accessible for everyone. Our stores are located in areas that have a lot of other interesting things to do as well, such as museums, nice little vintage shops, unique boutiques as well as commercial shopping streets, so it makes it easy to combine a visit to our store in a nice day trip.
- When and why was Etoile Luxury Vintage started?
In 1997, we started as Atlantis Trading, a company that specialised in jewellery made from the rare gemstone called Larimar, which can only be found in the Dominican Republic. In 2007, we opened our first store called Caribbean Creation, which was a very small shop located in the city centre of Amsterdam. One day during our travels, we came across some beautiful second-hand designer bags. We felt that there was no choice but to add them to our product range in our shop. We started sourcing more of these authentic and unique vintage bags with a great story to tell, because they fascinated us so much. Soon, our shop became too small for all the bags, and we decided to open l’Étoile de St. Honoré - Luxury Vintage, back in July 2013. Afterwards, we opened two more stores in 2015 at Reestraat 25 and Heiligeweg 9 and last year, in August 2019, our 4th store at Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 27. We have grown a lot since the start of our first shop and continue to grow every day.
- Why is vintage meaningful to you?
To us, vintage is meaningful because it makes designer and luxury items more accessible to everyone. We love that we can contribute to a more sustainable way of shopping by re-selling items.
We love vintage because it’s a smart investment.
Classic designer vintage bags have steadily increased in value due to price inflation of new bags. This will continue to happen, so for coveted brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, buying vintage is always a good idea. For example, the iconic Chanel 2.55 Classic Medium Flap Bag was sold for only £200 in 1955. It sells for £5460 in 2020! We like to think that buying vintage is money well spent.
Vintage is unique.
Let's face it, no one wants to be seen wearing the same outfit or holding the same bag. Finding a unique handbag or piece of vintage clothing is a great way of avoiding that. A vintage find may be discontinued, or part of a limited edition run of items, giving them rarity.
You're buying a part of history.
Every vintage piece comes with character and style. There is something special about investing in something that already has a story, that cannot be replicated by buying new.
Buying vintage is usually cheaper than buying new.
On most vintage handbags, you can buy for 50%-70% less than a brand-new designer bag. What is not to love?
Vintage doesn’t have to mean a compromise in quality.
Designer fashion is made to last. The craftsmanship and quality that allows vintage goods to withstand the test of time is truly amazing. In some cases, vintage even means better quality. For example, Chanel bags made before 2008 used to be glided in 24k gold and they just don’t make them like that anymore!
- What is the most ‘wow’ piece you have ever had in stock?
Last year, we had a gold metallic classic Chanel flap bag, with an inscription by Karl Lagerfeld. This was such a unique bag, and it ended going to Chiara Ferragni and she absolutely loves it!
Chiara Ferragni with her vintage Chanel
- If you could only own one vintage piece for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Personally, I would love a classic black Hermes Birkin bag. I really feel this is a timeless classic, useful for different occasions, and will always be in style.
- What brands and handbag models do you recommend investing in?
There are bags that have tripled in value over the past 30 years. So, if you are a potential investor, make sure you choose a bag from the "luxury brand trilogy" Hermes, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. We have listed 3 bags that are definitely worth investing in...
- Hermes Birkin: Because of the high demand and low supply, this bag remains highly sought after and you will have absolutely no problem reselling it.
- Chanel 2.55: This is a bag that has tripled in value over the past 30 years, and it is likely to continue to increase in value in years to come.
- Louis Vuitton Speedy: This amazingly versatile handbag continues to grow in popularity AND in price, making it a great vintage style to invest in.
Shop the full collection from Etoile here.
