The Tamesis
For other platforms entering, expectations of fast payments and consistent shopping must be matched by experience and guided discovery. Fflur Roberts, head of luxury goods at market research firm Euromonitor, stressed the importance of building “high-touch” (close and involved) customer relationships in contemporary resale. This white-glove treatment is increasingly common and has shoppers fascinated. Take Hong Kong brand consultant Melody Chan, who invests about $8,000 to $9,000 a year in resale and vintage. She uses The RealReal (which also offers tiered memberships that allow for early purchase of items, secret sales and fast delivery) as well as a hybrid of Vestiaire, 1stDibs and curated boutique platforms such as Baraboux, a London appointment showroom and rental service frequented by Kylie Jenner.
Chan also likes “editorially driven” boutiques and “hidden gems” such as Nuovo, Les Archives and Entremains in Paris. Coincidentally, the latter offers a members-only early access club for monthly online drops, also known as “The Circle.” “What I love about these places is they’re not just stores, they’re experiences,” Chen said. “You walk in, talk to someone who knows the collection inside and out, and you often leave with something you didn’t know you were looking for.” The same experience is important online. “I like a platform that gives me a sense of discovery while also giving me the tools to understand the work,” she says, citing the role of editorial content, styling cues and provenance information. Like many big spenders in this lucrative market, she enjoys hunting but also values the experience of being guided toward something special, “like you’re being told a secret.”
At 1stDibs, a platform built on the traditional vintage market playbook, discovering and cataloging items online is the internet’s answer to curated in-store displays. Collections are themed (e.g., “The 90s, Revisited”) and presented alongside written stories (“William Klein’s Fashion Photos Break House Rules”). Fashion“). A team of Private Client Experts work behind the scenes, each providing expertise in a specific area, whether fine jewelry or fashion. “These in-house experts serve as concierges for clients, assisting with requests throughout the purchasing process, from providing customized shopping recommendations to handling delivery logistics,” said 1stDibs Editorial Director Anthony Barzilay Freund. “In addition, even customers who prefer to shop independently gain additional insights. “We know that we have many equally discerning high-volume repeat customers who prefer to shop alone discreetly and quietly, following their passions,” explains Freund. We ensure these customers receive support from our concierge team when needed and enjoy the security provided by 1stDibs when browsing the website and purchasing process. “
