Handbag Clinic has taken on a new buyer to source pre-loved and vintage accessories from the world’s most renowned designers.
Charlotte Staerck is responsible for tracking down rare and second-hand finds from the likes of Chanel and Hermes to stock in the firm’s new store on Newcastle’s Mosely Street.
Former procurement specialist Charlotte, MD Ben Staerck’s wife, said: “We felt the time was right for me to join the firm as part of a period of significant expansion.
“There’s a huge demand in Newcastle and the wider North East from women who would previously have had to travel outside the region to buy the bag they wanted or would have had to source it online, which can prove risky as there are lots of fakes out there. We give them complete peace of mind that they are buying the genuine article.”
Charlotte, who is also a former model for glossy magazines and Tallulah Love lingerie, added: “I’ve always loved fashion and my career has mainly been spent in procurement so combining the two made perfect sense. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response since opening in Newcastle.
“While handbags may sometimes be seen as a frivolous purchase, they’re actually a really sound investment. Bags from classic designers like Hermes and Chanel have kept their value better than some antiques or fine wine and have even outperformed the stock market and gold prices over the past three decades.”
Along with sourcing handbags from across the world and from customers at the firm’s London branch, Charlotte has also found clients are coming to her to ask if she can find the brand and model they’ve been unable to locate themselves.
Handbag Clinic launched its first store on Chelsea’s Kings Road a year ago before opening in Newcastle in November.
It provides a service to clean, restore and repair designer handbags and accessories. Newcastle is the only store to also stock pre-owned designer bags.
The firm’s services have been so in demand that it has embarked on a recruitment drive to employ two new apprentices every month for a year at its Burnopfield, County Durham repair centre.