It’s easy to be enthralled by the enchanting world of luxury fashion. Its allure only seems to grow through the years, transcending trends and time. Embodying a narrative of heritage and tradition, luxury fashion is more than just a wardrobe choice. Beyond the threads and stitches lies a world where each piece represents a meticulously crafted masterpiece.
Luxury fashion is defined by its exclusivity, and you’ll know you’ve made it to the upper echelons of society if you get invited to Fashion Week in New York, Milan, or Paris. However, in recent years, consumers have shown an increasing interest in sustainable shopping habits, leading to the growth of the resale market. The industry had to adapt and embrace circular fashion, aiming to prolong the lifespan of clothing and accessories. Even the Kardashians are doing it.
“Circular luxury is a movement to reduce the environmental impact of the luxury industry,” Rachel Arandilla says matter-of-factly. Rachel shared this concept with her classmate from high school, Chrystal Alesna, and that’s how the idea of Elysée came to fruition.
Named after an iconic shopping avenue in Paris, Elysée carries brand-new and pre-owned luxury items. “We love that it sounds like an elegant, feminine name and that we can play around with it,” Rachel shares. Elysée redefines the essence of luxury fashion by taking away the intimidating aura of exclusivity associated with traditional fashion houses.
Some of the brands that Elysée carries are Polène, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior. All of their bags are guaranteed authentic, and all pre-owned bags are in great condition. They can even authenticate your bags for you!
Elysée’s commitment to circular fashion is evident in their menu of services. “We offer restoration services and bag care products with the goal of extending the life of luxury bags,” Rachel points out. Their restoration services cater to a variety of concerns, whether it’s related to bags, wallets, or shoes.
If you want to keep your bag clean, bring it in for a bag spa. If your bag’s hardware is faded, bring it in for electroplating. They can also repair or replace worn-out parts like handles and zipper pulls. “We can also revive or change the color of bags to make them look new,” Chrystal mentions. You can also find bag care products like bag organizers, bag stuffers, and leather milk.
Prolonging the life of your luxury item starts at home. Rachel enumerates three important points to remember when it comes to taking care of your bags.
One, use silica packets to absorb humidity and keep leather goods away from direct sunlight. Two, use bag organizers and bag stuffers to maintain your bag’s structure and shape. Lastly, try to remove stains before they start to set, but make sure to do your research. Some products end up doing more damage than good, and it’s important to know what works for different kinds of material.
Aside from restoration services, Elysée also has a consignment program. Bags are as trendy as they get, but what you should take into consideration is quality and craftsmanship. “The better condition you keep them in, the more uses you get out of your bags, the better their value will be when you decide to resell,” Chrystal says. If you have a bag that you no longer keep in your rotation, you can bring it to Elysée.
Visit Elysée on Level 2 of Baseline Center in Juana Osmeña Street, Cebu City. Check out their curated collection on Facebook and Instagram at @elysee_ph and @restorebyelysee.
Photography Kyrra Kho