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Tanya Shaheen is proving to be Santa’s little helper by making wishes come true for lovers of designer clothes and accessories who feared they could never afford the attire of the extremely wealthy.
The entrepreneurial Bahraini has set up a global enterprise called Vintage Rose Arabia, a gateway for people to anonymously buy and sell pre-owned luxury goods.
The 43-year-old mother-of-two is certainly no ordinary secondhand rose; many of the items she trades are untouched, unwanted gifts which bring absolute joy to their new owners who wouldn’t have dreamed of splashing out the store price.
Tanya said: “Many women today work hard for their money and would love to treat themselves but find it hard to justify the cost of a new Chanel handbag, for example. This way they get to own a beautifully made extravagant bag but have none of the guilt.
“I think that we purchase so much nowadays, and the newness of any particular item doesn’t seem to last that long. Sometimes we have lost interest by the time we have reached home and it is several hours before we even get it out of the bag.
“The Vintage Rose items are new to the customers who buy them, and very often they are luxury items such as a handbag that has been on a ‘wish list’ for the longest time.
“There is a stigma associated with buying or owning anything that isn’t brand new or from a shop. To me this is a preconceived perception and view that has been set in our minds.
“We don’t seem to worry about going to restaurants or using plates and cutlery that has been put into other people’s mouths. But to wear a designer dress that has been worn before, albeit in pristine condition, that seems harder for us to do.
“I think once you have embraced the idea of wearing a gown, previously priced at say BD2,500, at a fraction of that, you’ll never turn back!
“I think there are two reasons the business is proving to be so popular. The first is the quality of the items. They really are stunning, and for a woman, there is nothing like good hair – can’t help with that – and great accessories – can help with this one!
“You feel confident. Especially when you know the item is original and you can see that it is, and not a copy.
“You feel like a million bucks, but never had to pay a million for the luxury. The second part is the ‘no fuss for the client’ part. I do all the work for them.”
As well as handbags, Vintage Rose Arabia sells many other items, including shoes and boots, costume jewellery, belts and gifts.
The company has been up and running for three months and although its website is still under construction, scores of clients have made contact through Facebook and Instagram accounts and by calling and texting Tanya as word of her enterprise has spread.
She said: “One of the main advantages of Vintage Rose Arabia is that there is an endless supply of beautiful pre-loved high-end goods.
“I never know what will be coming in from one day to the next. I get so excited opening the bags or cases full of goodies.”
All the items go through the same procedure. Tanya ensures only quality items are kept for resale. They are then listed and categorised.
The Design name: e.g. Chanel. Basic item description: eg. Small eve handbag. Condition: New, five star, four star, three star. Items are only rated new if they have never been used, not even for an hour.
Five star is an item that looks new, it only gets that rating if it is in pristine perfect condition.
She then makes a more detailed description of the item: for example, Chanel small black, caviar leather double flapped eve bag with silver hardware.
“When I have written up a description sheet I then send it back to the client for any more information they might have, like original receipts or any other special information in particular reference to their items, like if it was a limited edition,” she said.
“The client then fills in the part where they put the lowest expected price and sign to say they have read and are happy with the description and terms. I then photograph the items in as many ways as I can to show them at their best.
“I also research the item and see how much additional information I can get. I then work out a competitive price and, when I can, I also add a link to the original website or comparative websites. This is always handy for customers who like the item but are not as informed about a particular brand or perhaps think the item seems expensive. It helps to reassure them.
“It’s important to me that both client and customer feel they are getting a really good service and are happy with the overall experience.”
Anonymity plays a big part in the procedure. “Through Vintage Rose Arabia, you get to clear your cupboard, make space and a little bit of money at the same time - all this without a soul knowing what you’ve bought or sold anything,” Tanya explained.
“Clients are given unique customer numbers and so receipts have no names on them. Some clients send a driver so even I don’t know who they are.
“Apart from the customers in the UK and the States I have only seen two of my customers here in the Middle East. They call, or text. I assume they are ladies from the region. I say this, because my Western, and even Japanese customers, are not as particular in maintaining their anonymity. It makes no difference to me, however, as all my clients and customers can have that luxury as standard.”
It would appear Tanya was destined for this job from an early age. When she was growing up, being the little one, she would always get the ‘hand me down clothes’.
“I loved it,” she said. “They were always soft and never itchy, having been well washed.
“There were other advantages to getting these clothes too. They never came with that terror you have when you put on a new pair of shoes. Waiting for the first scuff or dribble of tomato sauce or red crush, which was always my favourite drink.
“I was never told to come out from sitting in the vegetable patch or from the den I had made under the blackcurrant bushes. The other thing that was great was there was always so much to choose from. I would go out in the garden in a frilly Eid dress and a pair of welly boots. My mum would say: ‘Look there she goes, our little vintage rose’.”
It seemed the natural name for the company … and Santa agrees.
*For more details call 32285807or email vintagerosearabia@gmail.com or check out facebook and instagram.
