An expert guide on how to buy the vintage fashion of the future
Florentina Leitner
Fashion has, and always will be, a way to invest in the future. When some purchase property or enjoy an adrenaline-infused dalliance with the stock market, others fill their wardrobes with vintage clothes. Birkin bags, Burberry trench coats and Rolex watches, the list goes on. Back in the day Haute Couture, revered for its craftsmanship, heritage, beauty and elegance was the chosen way to dress the future for success. Yet, with the latest haute couture shows proving that this world is long out of reach for most fashion investors, there is an emerging demand for young designers. However, not all under-the-radar talent has the makings to echo the timelessness, history and years of perfectionism that make haute couture so irresistible to those looking to cash in on fashion. So, if you are wondering how to buy the vintage fashion of the future, these are the names to be added to your list.
How to buy the vintage fashion of the future
Within the fashion industry, the term vintage is widely used to refer to an item of clothing over 20 years old. So that means, the It-bags of the 2000s, the Chloé Paddington, Fendi Baguette and the Balenciaga Classic City bag are all now considered vintage pieces. While this does nothing but make us feel old, one can look upon the cycles of fashion to learn what makes ‘good’ vintage. Unique pieces with a modern twist that tune into the zeitgeist with laser-sharp precision are failproof in their ability to return their investment in years to come. Yet it is not mere aesthetics that make an item a worthwhile investment. There are some key factors to keep in mind.
Designer reputation and potential
Many fresh out-of-fashion school designers have a background in established fashion houses such as Yves Saint Laurent or Chanel. If you are looking to invest in the vintage fashion of the future, you want someone who is still under the radar but who promises to be a rising star. Do your research and check to see if the designer has won any prestigious awards or has coverage in top fashion magazines. Knowledge and experience are what will carry the designer into the future.
Exclusivity and limited editions
One-of-a-kind pieces and limited-edition quantities give collections an exclusive edge thus boosting the price tag. Off-the-peg fashion is available to the masses and when it comes to selling, the market will be flooded with the same item, pushing the price down. Owning a one-off design by a sought-after designer places you in a minority, allowing you to select the highest bidder. Not to mention, limited edition production offers a lower carbon footprint than fast fashion making it a sustainable investment in the future.
Quality and craftsmanship to stand the test of time
Designers who take time to hone their craft and produce exquisite garments follow a similar ethos to classic haute couture houses. High-quality materials are more likely to withstand the passing of time and maintain their initial allure. Likewise, a well-constructed garment is made to last. Designers who focus on quality by default opt for longevity allowing their garments to hold or even increase their value on the resale market.
Valette Studio
Why buy from emerging designers and small businesses?
Just like giving new life to pre-loved pieces from a vintage clothing market or secondhand marketplaces, new garments can also be an investment. Fashion trends come and go, yet with fashion brands keen to flex their green credentials, now is a good time to evaluate a designer’s sustainable practices before reaching for your wallet. Brands that promote a circular economy or aim to rectify the environmental impact of fast fashion are worth betting on for the future. By purchasing and promoting these designers, you are also investing in an eco-friendly future of fashion.
The designer names to add to your future vintage archive
With online platforms promoting the next best thing and vintage stores all promising ‘real deal’ designer goods, it is easy to feel over-saturated when it comes to vintage shopping. Collectors keen to upgrade their fashion archives with unique, fresh talent can be wowed by the finesse of these emerging designers.
Discover Phoebe English’s creative ways to save the planet
Known to design collections purely in black due to a fear of colour, Phoebe English, who established her Southeast London namesake brand in 2011 injected colour into her work in 2017 as a reaction to the world’s current affairs. A writer, critical thinker, and an award-winning designer, English is well aware that designers not engaging with climate change and the horrors that unfold around us will fizzle out. In her own words, she is “attempting a variety of solutions towards less extractive fashion systems.” The result? Timeless designs that blend repurposed fabric with organic notions and promote local craftsmanship within the UK. English has all the makings to become a master of fashion. Talent. Exclusivity. Quality. Industry recognition. Regardless of the collection, each item offers a valued investment set to hold its value.
Re-worked gender fluidity at Valette Studio
Already on the Paris Fashion Week official schedule, Pierre-François Valette’s brand, Valette Studio offers genderless tailoring for a gender-fluid age. His largely monochrome collections resonate with the contemporary dandy, exuding an understated elegance peppered with sharp tailoring. Pieces such as his first collection of dinner jackets are a particularly wise investment, not just because of their iconic style but because of the hyper-limited number produced. Observing his collections, Valette’s knowledge of tailoring proves extensive yet his success lies in his fun way of tuning into the modern styles worn by the trendsetters of our day-to-day. If you are wondering how to buy the vintage fashion of the future, remember the name Valette Studio. His pieces may not offer conventional fashion, but it is exactly for that reason that he is set to become one of the names to invest in.
Uncover the personal style of Santiago Carballo
Handbags and leather goods have long been smart investments. However, with luxury brands looking to reduce production costs by moving their manufacturing overseas, big names no longer hold the same allure. Santiago Carballo, a Gran Canaria-based leather goods designer has honed his craft for over 25 years. Today, his designs are synonymous with quality, innovation and sustainability. His work champions the silent luxury ethos, disrupting the modern market through designs that serve as a subtle form of education. Using a meticulous design process, premium materials and a sharp eye for detail, Santi Carballo creates leather goods to be passed down through generations. Need guidance on which pieces to invest in? His statement items such as his green and yellow striped bags won’t lose their fun and charm.
Florentina Leitner, the next thing to invest in
Austrian designer, Florentina Leitner, a graduate from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp has delighted with her playful collections since her brand’s debut in 2020. Yet, this isn’t her first rodeo. She cut her teeth learning the ins and outs of the industry with the likes of Dries Van Noten and has since dedicated her time to creating a name for herself. Her brand is everything you want from a modern fashion designer. Playfulness, nostalgia, glamour and a heavy dose of fairytale. Each collection invites you into her imaginary world and embraces you with her young, fun and brave energy. She isn’t afraid to re-write the narrative, tapping into the inner dialogues each of us listens to day in and day out. While still new, her unique clothing items have amassed a fierce following of younger generation fashionistas proving that Leitner is truly on to something. The verdict? Invest now before the prices soar but focus on her standout pieces. The Soleil skirt, the Dorine sequin dress or the Conny Balaclava are all ideal investment items thanks to their minimal production run which will push resale prices up in the future.
Shop emerging designers on the Fashion Space online store
One of the best ways to invest in future vintage items is to shop a high-quality curated collection of pre-selected designers. Fashion Space provides a guarantee that each designer plays a significant role in shaping the future of fashion through their different styles and innovative designs.