From the FASHIONPHILE Restoration Dept.
Renew. Restore. Repeat.
Less than 1% of our items are restored, but we extend the life of those that are.
What Is FASHIONPHILE Atelier?
Led by our expert Restoration team, FASHIONPHILE Atelier’s mission is simple: to extend the life of ultra-luxury items, one meticulous cleaning at a time.
97% of the ultra-luxury accessories we receive require no restoration, but for those that do, FASHIONPHILE Atelier breathes new life into them, stitch by stitch.
With deep respect for craftsmanship, FASHIONPHILE Atelier restores even well-loved pieces to their original splendor so that their beauty and function endure. The Restoration team understands the unique needs of different ultra-luxury accessories, handling every project with mindful care and razor-sharp precision.
At FASHIONPHILE Atelier, this work is guided by three key steps: renew, restore, repeat.
Renew.
Our Restoration team combines deep expertise and industry-leading techniques to breathe new life into pre-loved ultra-luxury items, extending their journey.
Each item undergoes a thorough assessment to determine the exact care needed. The Restoration team identifies wear patterns and develops a tailored approach that accounts for each item’s unique traits. This involves determining which specialized tools and techniques will be required to address aging without compromising authenticity.
Restore.
With careful cleaning and light repairs, we revive these ultra-luxury items, giving them a renewed sense of style and purpose.
The restoration techniques applied are comprehensive and precise, treating each material according to its needs. From leather conditioning to stain removal, surface and structural concerns are addressed. Every stitch and surface receives individual attention during this revitalization process.
Repeat.
Our process ensures that every item reaches you in its best condition, ready for a second (or third) chapter in its story.
FASHIONPHILE Atelier goes beyond the surface to preserve the legacy of these pieces, giving them the chance to fulfill their role in someone else’s hands. This cycle extends the life cycle of ultra-luxury items, keeping them out of landfills and in coveted closets.
Revolutionizing Ultra-Luxury
Since its inception 26 years ago, FASHIONPHILE has revolutionized ultra-luxury through circularity, making coveted accessories accessible to fashionphiles everywhere. As a Certified B Corp, we go beyond buying and selling ultra-luxury accessories—we contribute to a more sustainable future for products, people, and the planet. FASHIONPHILE Atelier amplifies our circular commitment by preserving craftsmanship, extending lifecycles, and keeping ultra-luxury in circulation.
The Restoration Results
Led by Luxury Restoration Supervisor Christine Corcoran-Valente, every FASHIONPHILE Atelier restoration project presents unique challenges. Her expertise ensures every restoration is a careful balance of technique, patience, and respect for the original design.
With over 10,000 pieces restored and counting, Christine is a master at her craft. Each restoration represents hours of focused work, as she and her team carefully treat wear patterns, clean hardware, refresh colors, and reinforce structural elements. The result is a revived piece that honors its original design while being prepared for many more years of wear.
We asked Christine to share some insights on a few of FASHIONPHILE Atelier’s restorations, and here’s what she had to say about each.
Before and After: Fendi Sunshine Tote
This adorable Fendi Shearling Vitello King Plexiglass Logo Mini Sunshine Shopper Tote may have a long name, but it’s a charming little pre-loved bag. It showed significant surface wear, and I worried that either the front stain would remain or the surface wear was a denim dye transfer. Thankfully, with a few tries and my trusted arsenal of cleaners, I restored it to a soft, clean finish. Now ready for its next Fendi lover!
—Christine Corcoran-Valent, Luxury Restoration Supervisor
Before and After: Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis
This stunning piece arrived with noticeable signs of use, including heavy surface wear, edge wear, and corner wear. The interior also had dried gum and ink marks. After a meticulous cleaning process, the hardware’s tarnish was removed and buffed to a brilliant shine. The bag was then conditioned, restoring its luxurious feel and ensuring it’s ready to become someone’s ultimate Holy Grail piece.
—Christine
Before and After: Louis Vuitton Coffret
This stunning Louis Vuitton Reverse Monogram Coffret Tresor 24 jewelry case is crafted from coated canvas with signature brass-plated corners. The hardware was heavily tarnished, and after multiple careful cleaning attempts, it finally regained its brilliant shine. Now beautifully restored, this elegant piece is ready to be admired once again.
—Christine
Before and After: Prada Duet Bag
This beautiful Prada Re-Nylon Duet Drawstring Shoulder Bag had seen a lot of love, and its nylon material posed a unique cleaning challenge. Nylon often shows water lines during the cleaning process, making it tricky to restore without leaving marks. This particular bag had extensive surface wear, and while I was confident I could clean it, I knew the risk of creating visible cleaning lines was high.
The key was to work quickly and consistently, applying the same amount of cleaner and pressure throughout and ensuring it dried evenly. I’m thrilled with the results. the bag was restored to a crisp powder blue, far from the yellowed state it was in when we first received it.
—Christine
Before and After: Chanel Boy Flap
This timeless classic arrived looking dull, heavily scuffed, and showing clear signs of being very pre-loved. After carefully removing the scuff marks and surface wear, we provided a deep conditioning treatment to restore its rich luster. The hardware was then meticulously cleaned and buffed, ensuring this iconic piece is refreshed and ready to be cherished for many more years to come.
—Christine
Stay in the Luxe Loop
Ultra-luxury items are built to last—and with the right care, they will. FASHIONPHILE Atelier renews and restores these investments, keeping their story alive for years to come.
Want to see more timeless transformations? Follow @fashionphileatelier on Instagram for more riveting restoration results and expert insights from Christine and her team.
