Leading luxury aftercare and preowned retailer, The Handbag Clinic, is expanding its partnership with Selfridges London, the home of its permanent in-store concession, with two exclusive pop-up events later this month. The Handbag Clinic will bring its fully circular offering of ‘Buy, Sell, Restore, Authenticate’ to Selfridges Manchester Trafford from Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd March, followed by Selfridges Birmingham from Friday 28th – Sunday 30th March.
Located within the RESELFRIDGES edit, The Handbag Clinic’s pop-up installations will showcase the ultimate next-level circularity model. Whether buying, selling or restoring, shoppers will be empowered to unlock the value of items within their wardrobes through an ongoing loop of circularity. The service is quick and easy to use. Shoppers are invited to trade in their unwanted luxury handbags, regardless of where they were purchased, in exchange for a Selfridges gift voucher to spend in store. Clients can simply visit The Handbag Clinic’s pop-up instore at Selfridges Manchester Trafford or Birmingham, where its dedicated team of experts will be on hand to value, authenticate and exchange their item whilst they shop for their next purchase.
Enriching RESELFRIDGES’ preowned offering, The Handbag Clinic will stock a handpicked collection of fully authenticated, preowned luxury and vintage handbags, luggage and accessories from the world’s most coveted brands including Fendi, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Chloe, vintage Chanel and more. Because every bag is carefully assessed and cleaned before going on sale, customers can be sure that, whether buying preowned that feels like brand new, or gently loved, the item will be in excellent condition. What’s more, for any preowned items purchased through The Handbag Clinic at Selfridges Manchester Trafford or Birmingham, customers can take advantage of The Handbag Clinic’s ‘Circle Back’ programme – guaranteeing a buy-back for up to 12 months post purchase. Clients can also book an appointment for a personalised one-on-one consultation within Selfridges Personal Shopping where The Handbag Clinic’s full range of services are available.
Repair and restoration services will span the full range of luxury leather goods; from handbags, luggage and SLGs to shoes, trainers and leather clothing, enabling luxury clients to breathe new life into an over-loved item. From cleaning and conditioning treatments, removing stubborn stains, replacing heel tips, repairing scuffs and tears or replacing broken zips, split piping, worn edges and damaged hardware, improving colour loss, reinforcing shape and stretched straps; The Handbag Clinic’s talented team of artisans combine the finest craftsmanship, technology and innovative techniques to achieve the seemingly impossible.
Elevating the post-purchase experience, luxury investors are also invited to extend the lifespan of a brand-new purchase by booking it in for a protective treatment, enabling them to shop with increased confidence knowing there is an aftercare programme in place that far exceeds standard warranties.
For customers seeking repair and restoration services, clients can drop their leather goods in-store at Selfridges Manchester Trafford or Birmingham, where an aftercare specialist will assess the requirements and book the item in before sending it securely to The Handbag Clinic’s Luxury Clinic where the expert team of artisans will carry out the required work. Once restored to its former glory, the item will be delivered direct to their door through its secure postal service. Prices are bespoke and start from £95 for minor stitch work and go right through to £600+ for more complex restoration. The most popular treatment is a full restoration, which includes a clean on the exterior and interior, removal of all areas of wear/scuff/staining from the exterior, any minor stitch repairs and a carefully crafted protection treatment to nourish and protect the leather.
Because The Handbag Clinic restore over 700+ bags each month, artisans have an intrinsic understanding of premium luxury brands and their common areas of wear and tear. As a market leader in innovation, it has made unrivalled advancements with Chanel lambskin and exotic leather. It has also developed specialist brand-specific restorations, such as the restoration of Louboutin shoes’ signature red sole or hand dyeing the rope-finish for a Balenciaga City. Its research and development team tirelessly pursue the most innovative techniques and bespoke technology to support the Clinic – even working with chemists to create patented new products ensuring the most perfect possible finish.
The Handbag Clinic’s CEO and co-founder, Charlotte Staerck, said: “We are so excited to be building on our partnership with Selfridges to bring The Handbag Clinic to an even wider community of luxury enthusiasts. Manchester and Birmingham are two of the most exciting shopping destinations in the UK and home to discerning communities of luxury investors. They understand that true circularity begins with what we already have in our wardrobes. By repairing these items and prolonging their lifespan, or by trading them in, they can continue to get their newness fix whilst being kind to their wallets and the planet.”
The Handbag Clinic operates through its ecommerce platform and in-store concessions across London, Newcastle, Colchester and York. Recognised as the leading innovators within luxury aftercare and preowned resale, it launched as a permanent in store concession in Selfridges London in April 2024, following the success of its inaugural collaboration in May 2023 for ‘The Stock Market at the Corner Shop’. Through its network of concessions and worldwide shipping infrastructure, it’s also the only business providing luxury aftercare services at a global scale. Built on a 25-year legacy of leather and fabric restoration, The Handbag Clinic’s mission is to preserve the past whilst mindfully reinventing for the future. A proud gatekeeper for sustainable luxury, ensuring its integrity and circularity for generations to come.
Across Selfridges stores nationwide, new, second hand and circular continue to coexist as a part of a seamless shopping experience within RESELFRIDGES accessories destinations in every store.
To book an instore consultation at The Handbag Clinic’s Selfridges Manchester Trafford or Birmingham pop up, visit https://www.handbagclinic.co.uk
