Last week’s PurseBop team offsite in New York City was an amazing bonding experience. Beyond food, friendship, and frolicking (in boutiques, of course), we were able to discuss, debate, and devise content and strategies to share with the PurseBop community.
Naturally, most involved handbags. And what better place for accessory eye candy than the FASHIONPHILE NYC Flagship at 601 W. 26th Street in Manhattan.
Whether you are a new handbag enthusiast or a longtime collector, visiting the expansive and stunning FASHIONPHILE NYC Flagship is an experience that fills all your senses. From the breathtaking views of the Hudson river to the extensive variety of designer bags, it’s something out of a story book. Just imagine a location filled with every coveted designer handbag style, shown in multiple hues, sizes, and fabrications. The selection in this one location is simply unmatched and unmatchable. You’ll find a full lineup of Hermès Birkins, Kellys, Constances, and non quota bags in sizes and colors you’ve only seen in dreams. Chanel classic flaps, seasonal bags, totes, and backpacks await in black and all the colors of the Coco rainbow. Louis Vuitton styles from mini monograms to rolling carry-on luggage fill shelves, ready for your local and exotic travels. The grouping of Dior’s Lady Dior model is fit for, well, a princess, like the bag’s namesake Princess Diana. Fans of YSL, Celine, Gucci, and more will delight in those options as well.
Better yet, this is no museum. All of these handbags are available to view, touch, smell, try on, and, surely, purchase. It is an experience that should not be missed if you live in or visit New York City or Southern California.
Playground for Handbag Lovers
After checking in at FASHIONPHILE, visiting the Prada Robot, and posing for the obligatory PurseBop team shoe photo, we met our Sales Specialist for a tour of the entire facility.
The showroom is located on the 4th floor of the iconic Starrett Lehigh building where there is a beautiful display of handbags from every designer you can imagine, all color coordinated. Just before you enter the showroom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the cages where a massive amount of stock is stored. It is quite a spectacular sight. A luxury warehouse of handbags color coordinated and organized by designer, color, and size.
We were treated to a detailed tour of the entire FASHIONPHILE operation. Beyond the showroom and cages, we witnessed first hand how each bag is received, examined, authenticated, photographed, and shipped upon purchase. The entire process – and each stage – is painstaking and meticulous.
Let's Play With The Bags
Then, the fun really began. Each of us selected one or more bags from our Sales Specialist’s iPad that we wished to view, touch, examine, and try on. Our primary goal was to experience bags we had not considered before. The playground was wide open and we were ready to play.
BopTalk was excited to experience an exotic Birkin. Our editor Maura focused on the Chanel bags. Our resident pink lover opted for a neutral color palette totally out of character. And PurseBop requested a few larger sized bags to see if it would persuade her to venture away from her mini bags, at least temporarily.
BopTalk's Choice
Boptalk has been considering an exotic Birkin or Kelly to add to her collection and this was the perfect opportunity to view one up close. She decided to focus on a new Birkin 25 Crocodile Touch in Jaune Ambre. The bag was stunning, a true show stopper. She found the condition to be impeccable. No visible defects or imperfections. The size and color not only complemented her outfit of the day (OOTD), but also her frame and aesthetic. She was clearly smitten.
Editor Maura's Choice
Maura was eager to see the new Chanel Nano (Kelly) bag that has everyone talking (and texting SAs). The white calfskin Nano with gold hardware was the perfect mini bag, easily worn crossbody or handheld. The inside capacity was surprisingly spacious (for a mini), in a tried and true ladylike silhouette. She fell in love with the size, versatility, and new aesthetic as compared to her classic flap bags at home. The white color was vibrant and fresh and beckoned for spring to hit NYC.
Obsessive Pink Lover Karen's Choices
Our resident pink lover, who rarely buys or even considers an alternate color, decided to step out of her comfort zone. It was time to check out some neutrals. Diving deep into one of Hermès most popular colors – gold – she requested a Constance 24 in gold with gold hardware, a mini Evelyne in gold with palladium hardware, and a Birkin 25 Shadow in gold. Quite an array for someone without a single gold bag in her collection.
The Constance 24 in gold was stunning. Not only was it the perfect neutral color, but the size was perfect for everyday. The mini Evelyne is a staple of many collections and the gold color elevates the style. And the Shadow Birkin 25 was a show stopper for sure. No doubt, after this experience, gold is definitely on her radar and likely will be added to her new neutral aesthetic.
PurseBop's Choices
PurseBop explored the wide array of larger bags available with Birkin 35’s, the Bolide with shark’s teeth, and a Kelly 32 in Box leather. Since receiving her latest petite star studded surprise, PurseBop decided it was time to expand her horizons and determine whether a bigger bag was in her future. She started with a Birkin 35 in one of her new favorite hues, Bleu Jean, comparing it sizewise with the Birkin 25 and Birkin 30 in gold. She ended the test with a stunning Box Kelly 32 Sellier in black. You cannot get any more iconic than that.
Comparing the three Birkin sizes side by side was priceless. Nowhere else can you get this rare opportunity except at FASHIONPHILE. For PurseBop, who has been immersed in the mini craze for years, it was essential to (re)open her eyes to larger sized bags. For anyone in this situation, a visit to the FASHIONPHILE candy store is just what the bag doctor ordered. And as PurseBop found, the larger bags offer so much more versatility and functionality for the woman on the go.
What Makes Shopping at FASHIONPHILE So Special
Shopping with FASHIONPHILE, either in person or online, offers a unique experience that removes most, if not all, of the stress of buying from a reseller. Not only can you visit one of their flagship locations to touch, examine, smell, and try their vast assortment of bags, but you can buy and sell your bags in a protected and worry-free manner. Setting FASHIONPHILE apart from many other reputable resellers is its lifetime guarantee on authenticity, return policy, Refresh program, and extra 10% bonus when you sell and take store credit. Not many resellers offer all of these benefits.
Let’s explore each individually.
Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee
FASHIONPHILE guarantees the authenticity of every bag it sells. It will refund 100% of the purchase price if the bag is found to be fake. The authenticity process is extensive, detailed, and reliable. Trained eyes perform a detailed analysis of the leather, hardware, font, and construction of every item put up for sale. However, in the unlikely event that your bag is determined to be fake, FASHIONPHILE stands behind its lifetime guarantee and will refund the purchase price of the bag in full. This essentially removes the biggest concern about purchasing from a reseller. And we do recommend having any bag purchased outside the designer’s boutique authenticated by a reputable third party if you have any doubt.
15-Day Return Policy
When buying a bag, accessory, piece of jewelry, watch or small leather good (slg) from FASHIONPHILE there is a 15-day return policy. The company understands that purchasing a preloved designer luxury bag or other item from a reseller is a huge decision. The goal is 100% satisfaction. So, you can return the bag if you find it does not suit your needs, wardrobe, or aesthetic.
Although we believe you will absolutely love your purchase, it is nice to know that you are not “stuck” if you have buyer’s remorse or believe you have made a personal mistake. The item must be postmarked 15 days from the ship date and be in the same exact condition, with all the accessories intact, to be eligible for a full refund. Also, the FASHIONPHILE Certificate of Authenticity and FASHIONPHILE tag must both be attached to receive a refund.
FASHIONPHILE’s Refresh Program
FASHIONPHILE’s Refresh program offers a third level of comfort when purchasing from them, and one that moves toward sustainability. Many designer handbag brands are leaning toward more eco-friendly practices, and shopping second hand at FASHIONPHILE can give our planet a second chance. FASHIONPHILE wants you to be able to help the environment by recycling in the chicest way possible.
Take this scenario. You decided to purchase your first mini Kelly from FASHIONPHILE. Well aware of how difficult it is to obtain a mini Kelly from your home Hermès boutique, you decided to pull the trigger from a reseller. After scouring the FASHIONPHILE website, you find the virtually unattainable and highly coveted mini Kelly in your favorite color in excellent condition. Yes, you will pay a premium, but the extra amount paid will likely pale in comparison to the profile you will need to build to even be considered for a mini Kelly in your home store. And let’s not forget the amount of time you will have to wait to get offered such a popular bag. Many have waited more than 1-2 years and then are not even offered a color on their wish list!
So far so good, right? After purchasing your first mini Kelly from FASHIONPHILE, the shipment arrives and you are so excited you start using your new treasure right away. After the obligatory unboxing video and plethora of photos to document your new holy grail bag, you begin to incorporate the bag into your lifestyle and wardrobe.
Except… after several months, you realize the bag is not as easy to use as you had hoped. It’s much too small to fit any essentials except a small card holder, a car key, and a lip gloss, and you are not as enamored with it. You are reaching for other bags and ignoring your mini Kelly. The excitement and novelty have clearly worn off.
Since it has been several months, the return policy does not apply. However, the Refresh program offered by FASHIONPHILE is the perfect opportunity to recoup up to 70% of the original purchase price, as long as you’re within 180 days of purchase. Do the math, that’s six months! FASHIONPHILE will relist your item on their website to give another lucky shopper the opportunity to purchase and enjoy the bag, jewelry, or other accessory.
This program allows you to experiment with a new bag you thought you had to have but may discover later does not fit your lifestyle after all. Think of it this way: You can essentially “rent” a new or almost new handbag from FASHIONPHILE for up to 6 months for 30% of the original purchase price.
This policy bolsters FASHIONPHILE’s mission of sustainability and removes the worry of “buyer’s remorse.” The impact on the environment is huge with this program.
Further, even if you purchased an item from FASHIONPHILE more than 6 months ago but less than a year ago, they will pay a percentage of the purchase price if it is still in excellent condition. It is called the FASHIONPHILE Refresh program. There are multiple ways to get paid through the Refresh Program. Store Credit (plus 10% bonus), Direct Deposit, PayPal, Wire Transfer (with a fee), via Check, or Neiman Marcus Gift Card (plus a 10% bonus).
Store Credit Bonus
When you sell to FASHIONPHILE (either in person or by submitting the form via their website) there are multiple ways to be paid as detailed above. The process is fast, easy, and enjoyable. If you select Store Credit or Neiman Marcus gift card as your method of payment, you receive a 10% bonus on top of the sale price to be used on your next purchase. If you have an item in your cart, you can even use it immediately to make your purchase.
Final Thoughts
FASHIONPHILE has eliminated the stress, worry, anxiety, and uncertainty that may accompany buying from a reseller. Its website is extensive and unparalleled compared to others. The in-person experience at the two flagship and two pop-up locations in NYC and California is top notch. The authenticity guarantee, return policy, Refresh program, and Store Credit bonus are added benefits that remove the risk of buying on the secondary market. And the cherry on top is contributing to sustaining and preserving our planet. Let’s go shopping!
All photos courtesy of the PurseBop Team. Below you will some of the bags we explored on our visit. We could have spent the entire day.
Hermès Togo Birkin 25 Gold
Hermès Swift Birkin Shadow 25 Gold
Hermès Epsom Constance 24 Gold
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Fashionphile Launches the Refresh Program To Buy Your Handbags Back
Cracking The Code: Fashionphile’s Luxury Authentication Practices
Fashionphile Launches A New Service To Help You Sell Your Bags
Updated: February 6th, 2024
Comments
1 Responses to “PurseBop Team Visits FASHIONPHILE in NYC”
I used to use fashionphile but now they have so many bags they cannot sell they are refusing to quote bags!!!Plus even if they do – it is a much longer quote than before but their prices to buy are still high!!! Refresh program used to be 75% but now you ar lucky to get 60% then they no doubt sell it again for the price you paid