IF you spent your entire month’s salary or a big part of it buying an expensive designer item, would it feel right to wear it a few times and then forget about it?

Or maybe you regretted paying so much for it. In any case, you wear it until you are tired of it and then decide to give it to a charitable society.

Here, however, is a new deal. Give the item to someone who will sell it for you, take a commission and give you the rest of the money.

This is the business of Madam La Reine, vintage designer items sold in Jeddah by Heba Akki. Madam La Reine is the name of the jewelry collection that she designs at home using semiprecious stones. Her designs are handmade and join colorful beads collected from her travels.

The vintage designer business began last July when Akki was searching for a limited edition Louis Vuitton (LV) bag but could not find it. “I had a friend who was moaning about rushing into purchasing an LV bag that she did not really like. But to my surprise, it happened to be the very same bag that I was looking for!” Akki asked to buy the bag from her friend and ended up buying it for SR1500.

That planted the idea in her head and she began asking her family and friends about designer items they had, which they no longer wanted. Some told her they gave such items to charity, but they realized that the people who benefit most from charities are in need of the basics rather than the latest fashion.

Akki’s friend, an official in a local charity, told her that the charity had huge numbers of such items that they could not give away or use. Akki began to think: “Why don’t we use things worn once or twice? What to do if we received such an expensive gift that was not to our taste?” There has to be a way, she thought.

“In the summer I started collecting designer bags, shoes, clothes, accessories; anything that was of high quality and in good condition so that I could re-sell it,” she explained.

The process goes on quietly: The owner of the item gives it to Akki, who puts it on sale, and takes her commission when the deal is done. The owner sets the asking price; Akki then researches the brand and its value and the negotiation starts. Sometimes Akki adds to the asking price while at other times, she reduces the value if the item was not authentic.

“Unfortunately, many people do not know the difference between an authentic designer piece and a fake one — especially if the item was a gift.”

Akki has representatives in Kuwait, Dubai, Riyadh, Cairo and soon in Oman.

“I am surprised that my business has spread so quickly and people have heard about it, though I’ve only been doing this for four months.”

She adds that women are now more aware of the value of items and quiet often, if a woman is looking for something to wear for only few times, she may consider buying a second hand designer item in excellent condition. And that is where I come into the picture.”

“What makes me proud is that I’m the first in doing such business here, I’m also proud for helping people which is my real profit.”

Akki is not worried that other can join in doing the same business, “it does not matter if others copy me,” because her real ambition is to have an online shop. “Because my business is growing and I have representatives all over, I’m working on having an online shop very soon. For example, if a woman who lives in Ajman wants to buy something, she could choose the item online, pay with a credit card and have the item delivered to her through representative in Dubai.”

Akki studied archaeology in the American University of Cairo, as she is passionate about antiques. When she moved from Riyadh to Jeddah, she worked for Rubaiyat Fashion House, Celine, Gianfranco Ferre and Ralph Lauren for years.

For more information: http://madamelareine.com/