Where and how to buy authentic Louis Vuitton, Hermès, or Chanel items in 2025 without long waits and crazy markups

Until 2022, it was easy to buy lots from fashion houses: there were many luxury brand stores in Russia, buyers delivered the desired bags, jewelry and clothes from all over the world. Today, it is either impossible to buy an exquisite item, since there are no more boutiques, or private sellers ask too much for it - buyers have expensive trips, and it has become more difficult to fly abroad.

But there’s still hope for luxury enthusiasts: here’s how to navigate the Russian market in 2025 to secure authentic luxury pieces while avoiding counterfeit risks.

Purchasing items from fashion houses has become more challenging in Russia. But it is still possible to find brand new bags or watches from luxury brands with tags and in branded packaging. Let's look at the available methods:

● from previous owners;

● from buyers;

● in a resale marketplace.

Listings for authentic Hermès bags or Louis Vuitton dresses can often be found on social media or specialized classifieds platforms like Avito or Yula.

The seller’s goal isn’t to build a long-term relationship with the buyer — their priority is to make a sale here and now. As a result, they’re unlikely to thoroughly inspect the item or verify its authenticity. Additionally, there are “super fakes” on the market, which are incredibly difficult to spot without sufficient expertise in authentication.

On one hand, buying from a private seller is appealing due to its simplicity and lower price. On the other hand, given the importance of authenticity and the condition of the item, it’s better not to take the risk and avoid this option altogether.

Buyers are individuals who earn a living by sourcing new luxury goods from abroad for their clients on request. In addition to the cost of the item itself, they add a markup to cover associated expenses and their service fee. After 2022, the popularity of buyers surged, with many people offering assistance in purchasing items for a percentage of their value. Typically, the service fee starts at 10%, but a buyer may charge a higher rate.

This purchasing method has its nuances. Buyers may not be well versed in authentication and mistakenly purchase a fake if they turn to colleagues in search of a unique product.

Sellers typically maintain their reputation, prioritize long-term partnerships, and rarely engage in deceit — unless intentionally selling super fakes. With the growing popularity of the destination, scammers have also appeared, so it is best to choose a buyer based on the recommendation of friends. If you choose this option, carefully study the reviews and compare the terms of several sellers. A person living abroad may have a lower commission than someone flying from Russia. But the risk is also higher: you will have to rely on the buyer's word of honor.

Resale marketplaces or platforms are companies that sell new luxury bags, jewelry, clothes, shoes. Here you can also find vintage items with history in perfect condition. The interface of the sites resembles Ozon and Wildberries, but the companies specialize exclusively in high fashion house products.

The difference between marketplaces and platforms is that the former are the link between the seller and the buyer. Here you can ask the seller for additional information or a photo of the lot, convincing him to give a discount. The company is responsible for the security of the transaction, guarantees verification of authenticity and participates in resolving disputes. Platforms buy products from previous owners and sell them themselves.

Popular resale marketplaces: PRELOVED CLUB, OSKELLY.

Popular resale platforms: TSUM COLLECT, THE CULTT, QULTURA.

Both types of companies employ authentication specialists who inspect items for authenticity prior to sale. The organization is often financially responsible to the buyer for the condition and authenticity of the goods.

Founders of luxury resale marketplaces know owners of similar platforms, collectors and buyers with a good reputation all over the world. Therefore, here you can buy things not only from stock, but also to order. This is known as Concierge Service — your desired bag or pendant can be sourced from the UAE, Europe or Americas. Unlike a similar service of a private buyer, which may carry risks, the marketplace employees take responsibility and organization upon themselves. You simply place your order and wait for delivery. The company handles everything: locating the item (e.g., finding where to purchase Miu Miu shoes), tracking shipments, resolving unforeseen complications, and ensuring your package arrives within the agreed timeframe.

In any of the above options, there is a risk of encountering a fake. It is lowest on resale marketplaces. Whichever method of purchase you choose, consider the following:

1. Receipts, invoices and other documents do not guarantee authenticity. Fake manufacturers have learned to replicate complex fashion house products by adding authenticity markers to them. Unfortunately, it is much easier to forge a receipt than to make a bag.

2. Check the terms of purchase. The seller should not just answer the question “is this really the original?” affirmatively, but bear financial responsibility if it turns out that you received a fake.

3. Authentication should be done by reliable, generally accepted methods — by a specialist, a service like Entrupy, and sometimes with the support of the fashion house itself. Not all brands are willing to consult, but many support resale, and therefore share information on the authentication of individual models.

As previously noted, luxury resale marketplaces exclusively offer items from high-end fashion houses. However, there are additional key distinctions:

1. Only items in «new» or «almost new» conditions are accepted for sale.
2. You cannot find noticeably worn items or items with defects here. Employees first check the lots using photos and then inspect them personally after the order.
3. Delivery is handled solely by courier services responsible for package integrity.
4. Employees participate in resolving disputes between the seller and the buyer.
5. Companies operate on the principle of a safe transaction - they do not transfer money to the seller until the buyer receives and checks the product.
6. Some marketplaces have an office or store - in most cases, it is located in Moscow. You do not have to wait for home delivery, but come and see the product immediately after the employees check it.

If you decide to order bags, accessories, clothes from luxury brands on the marketplace, it will be useful for you to know how the process goes from the first click on the lot to the long-awaited fitting:

1. Select a product on the website or in the office. Pay for it — the money is blocked in the bank account.
2. The seller ships the order to the marketplace’s office, where staff verify its authenticity, condition, and the absence of defects or signs of repairs.
3. After making sure that the product is in good condition, the staff carefully packs the item and hands it over to the courier service.
4. The courier contacts you to arrange a convenient delivery time.
5. Upon receipt, you inspect the item, make sure that it corresponds to the declared condition and confirm the purchase.
6. The seller receives money for the sale.

If the product does not fit or does not match the description, you can return it — the return conditions differ among marketplaces and are indicated on the website.

Don’t rush to hunt for a legendary Birkin or Kelly bag — not all luxury resale marketplaces are equally trustworthy. Before diving into their catalog, evaluate the company against this checklist:

Если нет времени изучать площадки, и хочется поскорее перейти к выбору брендовых обновок, обратите внимание на эти платформы:

PRELOVED CLUB — a luxury resale marketplace of a club format
The company is Entrupy Verified Partner, founded ten years ago. Employees check the authenticity of the goods before sending them to the client, only items in perfect condition are accepted for sale. There is a "Concierge Service".
The website presents thousands of lots, including luxury brand bags, watches, jewelry. Prices for goods are significantly lower than on similar marketplaces. It's all about the low commission for sellers. They work on the principle of a safe transaction, have an office in Moscow, you can return the goods, and before buying, you can ask the seller questions in the app.

OSKELLY
The marketplace has also been operating for about ten years. There is a store in Moscow, where employees check the authenticity of goods themselves, use auxiliary services. They guarantee the safety of the transaction, but communication between sellers and buyers is limited.

TSUM COLLECT
This is a resale platform from TSUM, a luxury adept in Russia. The store uses the experience and skills of its employees to authenticate products with a history. It is convenient to come, choose and try on an item or order it online — the delivery is carried out by a courier.

1. Compare the price, terms of purchase and delivery of similar lots on the three proposed resale marketplaces.

2. If it is important to buy an item that has never been worn, make sure that the selected lot meets this requirement.

3. If you want to find a specific model, use the Concierge Service.

4. Make sure that the purchase is made according to the principle of a secure transaction.

5. Find out how the company authenticates items and what guarantees it provides.