Subscribe

SA site re-homes pre-loved luxury items

Lauren Kate Rawlins
By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.
Johannesburg, 13 Jan 2017
Luxity was created by 28-year-old local entrepreneur Luke Calitz.
Luxity was created by 28-year-old local entrepreneur Luke Calitz.

New local e-commerce site, Luxity, buys and sells authentic second-hand designer handbags and other luxury items.

The Cape Town-based start-up was founded by 28-year-old entrepreneur Luke Calitz and launched last year. The site went live with only 25 items and now stocks between 160 and 180.

The inventory includes a range of handbags, clutches, shoes, scarves and sunglasses from coveted brands such as Prada and Gucci. Each item is authenticated by the Luxity team and the company offers a lifetime return policy if the buyer ever discovers they were sold a fake or counterfeit item.

Calitz says Luxity's authentication process is a "trade secret" but says factors such as design, year and model, stitching, materials used, packaging, dust bags and documentation play a big role.

Louis Vuitton is the most popular brand on the site. "Items such as a Louis Vuitton Neverful or Speedy have never lasted more than 24 hours on the Web site," says Calitz.

"Due to the scarcity, Chanel handbags ? especially the classic flap bag ? are our fastest sellers. We once sold one within five minutes and the waiting list is long."

Some of these items do not even make it to the Web site and are bought up beforehand, he says. This is because when a new item comes in, it is first sent to the site's VIP members on WhatsApp, then posted on social media, and only then uploaded to Luxity.co.za.

Calitz says he was inspired to launch Luxity after noticing how clothes had the power to change his mom's mood and give her confidence. He wanted to make handbags, accessories and shoes by luxury designers available to more people so they could also experience their 'power'.

The pieces are bought from a diverse group of sellers, says Calitz: "From the everyday fashionista who is clearing out her closet, to inheritance pieces, or even just ladies who want to sell last year's design/model in order to purchase seasonal items or the latest trends."

There are no other sites that offer this service in South Africa, apart from individuals who sell items on classifieds sites like Gumtree or OLX.

A selection of items currently available on Luxity include:

Item

Estimated retail price

Luxity price

Louis Vuitton
Vernis Brea MM Blanc Corail handbag

R37 000

R25 000

Celine
Medium trapeze python bag red

R45 000

R30 000

Prada
Naplak metal black patent tote

R28 000

R19 000

Yves Saint Laurent

Chocolate overseas tote

R22 000

R18 000

Herm`es
Toile Vache hunter herbag zip noir black

R34 000

R16 000

Giuseppe Zanotti

Python peep-toe wood stacked slingback platform heel

R11 000

R6 500

Jimmy Choo
Croc crown platform peep-toe pumps pink

R6 000

R2 500

Gucci
Oversized square-frame sunglasses

R6 000

R4 500

Louis Vuitton
Damier graphite iPad hardcase

R7 000

R4 650

Share