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I’m a lover of soft fabrics. I like cashmere knitwear, silk scarves and brushed cotton pyjamas. So obviously, for me, a nappa bag is right up there! But what is nappa leather? Who invented it? And what are the benefits of it?

The Amberley Family of bags was introduced by Johnny Coca... but what was the inspiration?

Who is this man who was labelled “the enfant terrrible of French fashion”? And what sparked him to start designing bags?

 

 

I’ve worked in the preloved/preowned fashion industry for over 20 years and I’ve loved every moment of it! Some take to selling like a duck to water, but others find it a difficult skill to master. Here are my top 5 tips on how to make selling your unwanted yet still beautiful things, a pleasure not a pain.

 

1. Seek out your vibe and your tribe

With sooooo many bricks and mortar and online consignment boutiques it can be hard to find the one thats right for you. So ask for recommendations from friends and family. Visit the store to see if your things will fit their vibe. They will have done extensive work to make sure their tribe is attracted to them, so if you fill a different niche you're better off going else where. It doesn’t mean your bounty is no good, just that it will suit a different stores customers better.

 

2. Use your agents pricing knowledge

We all have the tendency to believe our goodies are worth more than the reality. So be guided by the agent, they know current values and more importantly they know their customer... possibly had relationships with them for years. It’s perfectly acceptable to have reserve prices for special items, but if you go in with a list of prices for everything, it indicates that you’ve missed the whole point of using an agency. It’s their job to do the pricing, part of the commission you pay them is for their expertise in knowing what the customer is willing to pay. 

 

3. Be quick to let go

We all have those forever pieces in our wardrobe that we’ll never let go. But as for the rest, sell them on before fashion changes. And in this fickle world that can mean a quick turn around. So understand what the agent means by ‘no more than 2 years old’. Simply put, no one wants your low rise baggies from 1990, this time round they are cut differently.

 

4. Be prepared

Once you’re in the habit of reselling you can should get wise to the advantage of keeping certain artefacts. If you’re selling designer bags keep all receipts, dustbags care docs and anything that proves its authenticity and original price-this makes it more saleable. If you're selling designer garments that you cut the label out of, keep the label to be given to the agent. It can be shown to the customer and give validation that it is the designer you claim it to be. 

 

5. Spread the word

we can have the tendency to keep it to urselves when we find a special selling space. But if we shout about it, it helps create a buzz and more customers find it, increasing your selling chances. It will also increase your likelihood of finding something delicious to spend your winnings on! 

Of all the ‘How To Shop The Sales’ I’ve read, I have never found any of them useful! So I’ve written my own, for those of us who’s style cannot be described as ‘classic’!

Ever wondered what is a Chanel 2.55 and what is a reissue? Is a Chanel Classic Flap the same as a 2.55?

Coco Chanel designed her first bag in 1929. In February 1955 she changed handbag history. "I was fed up with holding my purses in my hands and losing them, so I added a strap and carried them over my shoulder" Coco is reported as saying in Coco Chanel by Justine Picardie. For the first time it was considered acceptable for a woman of considerable social status to carry a bag on their shoulder.

The bags were made with the mademoiselle lock, so named because Chanel never married, and the double CC lock didn't appear until the 80's, under Karl Lagerfelds watch. 

So, what's what?!

2.55: Coco Chanels original design with Mademoiselle lock and metal chain.

Reissue: 2005 special edition that Karl lagerfeld reinstated as an exact recreation of the original to celebrate Chanels 50th anniversary (most people refer to all 2.55's as Reissue, but it correctly refers to only those manufactured in 2005).

Classis flap: flap bags with CC lock and metal & leather strap that follow the designs of Karl Lagerfeld from the 80's.

Want a brief resumé?

1910: Gabrielle Chanel opens her first shop in Paris Rue Cambon selling hats

1925: Coco Chanel designs the interlocking cc logo

1929: Coco Chanel designs her first handbag with chain straps and jersey quilted fabric for herself

1955: Aged 70 Chanel releases the first 2.55 flap bag for sale with quilted leather and metal straps

1971: Coco Chanel dies

1983: Karl Lagerfeld joins Chanel as artistic director and designer of ready to wear, haute couture and accessories

1984: Karl Lagerfeld redesigns the CC lock, creates the 'Classic' flap bag with an interlocking CC turn lock and woven/chain straps

1986: serial numbers are added to all bags

2005: Chanel releases the original 2.55 for it's 50th anniversary and calls it the reissue 2.55 

Want one?! Have a look at our Chanel bags.

 

You know those cool women, you know, the ones who exude coolness from their pores?! Well, we’ve only gone and bagged (get it?!) ourselves a pop-up with one of the coolest of the cool!

 

 

Katie Jones, of Ginger Kate Preloved has the most beautiful clothes for sale in her shop, which is a room in her super stylish home (seriously, it’s worth coming just for the interior inspo 😍) just 3 minutes drive from the town centre in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. She sells Isabel Marant, Alice Temperley, All Saints, Cos and Zara to name just a few.

 

 

And on Saturday 4th August we’ll be rocking up with a selection of our armcandy. Think Mulberry, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton... 🙌

 

 

We’ll be there from 11am till 4pm. If you want the full adress get in touch with me, either by email, Instagram or Facebook. 

 

Bring a friend and come and have a peruse and a coffee with us.

 

You can follow Katie on Instagram here. 

Pleased as punch. That’s how we felt when super cool Boz said she’d host us for a pop-up in her cafe come homewares come upholstery studio.

 

 

So on Friday and Saturday 18th and 19th May we took our Guccis and Louis Vuittons and Mulberrys and set up camp in the studio part of her space. I love all of our pop-up hosts, but there is something quite special about the one that has a serious coffee machine a meter from my desk! 

 

 

in-haus stocks gorge pieces for your home - storage baskets, beautifully scented candles, cool glassware. And of course a menu board full of salads and smorgasboards and deliciousness. A soundtrack that mixes a bit of jazz with the occasional Steve Wright in the afternoon (although, we rather sneakily watched the wedding on the Saturday), and a plethora of homes and interior design magazines to leaf through, I dare you to visit and not wish that you lived in there!

 

Find in-haus on Instagram and Facenbook

We’re at the Home of Awesome, Lily Loves Shopping in Market Harborough on Friday & Saturday 27th & 28th April. 

 

You can have a good look at our armcandy and shop for gorgeous homewares at the same time, result.

Winner of last years Muddy Stilletoes Best Gift Shop category, they have an awesome loyalty card scheme. Get a stamp with each purchase and receive 15% off your 6th purchase. 

                 

 

Pop in and say hi, but if you can’t get in you can shop Jodies fab stuff here: Lily Loves Shopping

Have you entered yet?! 

 

We’re giving one of our Instagram followers the chance to win this gorgeous Radley messenger bag, you’re welcome 😉.

 

In excellent condition and with original Radley dustbag, it’s worth £55 and is an awesome bag to win!

 

 To enter follow us on Instagram here: Armcandy Bag Co and tag a friend. Each tag must be a seperate comment and there is no limit to how many comments you leave. Each comment counts as an entry. The competition ends Sunday 15th April at midnight... may the best person win!