Complete guide to buying and selling at CHANEL auctions
CHANEL auctions attract collectors and connoisseurs from all over the world. This guide accompanies you every step of the way, whether you are buying or selling.
Buy at CHANEL auctions
1. Find an auction
Auction houses publish their catalogs online several weeks in advance. Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Artcurial regularly organize Chanel auctions. Visit their websites and sign up for alerts.
Penelope’s organizes fashion auctions twice a month, each time featuring Chanel fashions.
2. Examine batches
Each lot has a description, photos and Appraisal. Read this information carefully. Attend previews to check condition.
3. Register for the sale
Register before the deadline. Provide proof of identity and bank details. Some houses require a security deposit.
4. Efficient bidding
Set a budget before the sale. You can bid in person, online, by telephone or by purchase order. Follow the price progression and avoid impulsive overbidding.
5. Pay and collect your purchase
If you win a lot, pay the invoice within a few days. Add buyer’s fees, which vary between 20% and 30%. Arrange secure transport to collect your item.
Why CHANEL at auction?
A CHANEL wardrobe isn’t just a collection of clothes, it’s a statement of style and class. The brand’s luxury, quality materials, impeccable craftsmanship and historical heritage make it a preferred choice for those seeking timeless elegance. The idea of a CHANEL wardrobe also evokes investment in pieces that never go out of fashion and can be passed down from generation to generation…
Where and how to sell your CHANEL clothes at auction?
Penelope’s
Is the only House dedicated to the arts of Fashion. It benefits from a unique network of buyers and regular sales of CHAnel garments.
Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s regularly organizes sales of Chanel items. The house attracts international buyers and sets records.
Christie’s
Christie’s offers prestigious auctions of rare pieces. Our customer service team assists buyers and sellers every step of the way.
Artcurial
This Parisian auction house is a benchmark for luxury auctions. It focuses on a demanding European clientele.
What type of HERMES garments are sold at auction and how much are they worth?
Chanel garments up for auction include tweed suits, evening gowns, Karl Lagerfeld creations and haute couture pieces. The tweed suits, emblematic of the brand, sell for between 1,500 and 3,000 euros, depending on their condition and rarity. Evening gowns from the 1930s or 1950s, made of silk, velvet or lace, often fetch between €10,000 and €50,000. Karl Lagerfeld creations, particularly from the 1990s, are highly sought-after. A suit or jacket from this period can sell for between 1,000 and 7,000 euros. Haute couture pieces, rare at auction, generally start at around 10,000 euros and can exceed 50,000 euros for the most complex or historic models. For example, a Chanel embroidered tunic from 1922 sold for 130,000 euros, setting a new record for a piece from this period.
How do I get an Appraisal for my CHANEL wardrobe?
Calling in a vintage fashion expert is often recommended for an accurate Appraisal. Experts have in-depth knowledge of fashion trends, brands and history. Here’s how an appraisal usually works:
Photo examination: yes, it’s possible, in order to validate the outlines. This initial photographic examination eliminates most of the proposed garments.
Visual and tactile: There’s no substitute for an expert analysis of the piece in situ, from several angles, checking fabric quality, seams and details.
Identifying labels and brands: Labels can provide crucial information about the period of creation. For example, a brand’s logo can reveal the era of manufacture and the specific lines of each designer.
Current Popularity Assessment: Market trends influence the value of vintage clothing. An expert knows which pieces are currently popular and can therefore better Appraisal the value of a given piece.
10 REASONS TO AUCTION Your CHANEL wardrobe by an auctioneer?
There are several interesting advantages to selling vintage clothing by auction, especially for rare or valuable pieces. Here’s why auctioning can be an excellent option:
Visibility and access to specialized buyers: Auction houses often attract serious collectors, fashion experts and vintage enthusiasts. This allows you to present your pieces to a discerning public, ready to invest in unique, high-quality items.
Expert appraisal: Before being put up for sale, vintage garments are generally appraised by fashion experts who estimate their market value. This guarantees a price in line with the market, maximizing your chances of making a lucrative sale.
Competitive bidding: The auction format allows for competition between buyers, which can drive up prices, especially for iconic, rare or designer pieces.
Context of trust and transparency: Auction houses often have a good reputation and offer a secure framework for transactions. Buyers know they are acquiring authentic items, and sellers benefit from a supervised process.
Effective promotional approach: Auction houses promote auctions through catalogs, marketing campaigns, and sometimes even events. This maximizes the visibility of your pieces and attracts an international audience.
A market for high-value pieces: For designer items or rare garments, auctions are often more appropriate than traditional sales platforms. Auction buyers are more willing to invest significant amounts for iconic pieces.
Fast sales: Unlike other sales methods, auctions take place on specific dates, so you can sell quickly. Results are immediate, and you don’t have to wait months to find a buyer.
Authentication and documentation: Auction houses often offer authentication services, assuring buyers that vintage items are vintage and authentic, thus increasing trust and perceived value.
Enhancing fashion heritage: An auction enhances the value of vintage clothing as a cultural and historical heritage, and each piece tells a story that can be brought to light in this prestigious setting.
International reach: Online auctions and international sales enable you to reach buyers from all over the world, which can greatly expand your market and attract higher bids.
Auctions are therefore an excellent way to promote vintage clothing and reach a passionate clientele, ready to acquire unique pieces with a story behind them.
What to do with CHANEL clothes in the event of inheritance?
You may have to sell all the assets in the event of an inheritance. Until recently, clothes were rarely taken into account, but now some wardrobes can be of financial interest.
- It ‘s best to ask an expert to make an Appraisal of the wardrobe, so that the heirs can divide it up fairly.
- Resale by auction then the security of sharing in complete transparency.
WHY ORGANIZE A CHANEL AUCTION WITH PENELOPE'S?
We can appraise your garments on the basis of a photo, a rendering or a video.
This initial overview will set the tone.
We will arrange a meeting with you at our premises, or come to you.
The inventory of items is carried out free of charge if we consider that the “file” may end up in an auction.
We determine market values, with one Appraisal known as low and another known as high. You can also decide on a reserve price (price at which we cannot preset the garment).
Together we agree on a sales timetable, the sales strategy to maximize your price, and together we determine our selling costs in the sales mandate.
In this respect, no fee is payable by you if the garments do not find a buyer.
You remain the owner of the garments until the sale is completed.
