There is so much talk about in the world of style and design.  Relevant issues focusing on sustainability, circular economy, artisans/artisanal, slow and conscious fashion, craft and so on are all coming to the fore with a desperate conservation effort to save whatever needs to be saved, too.  It’s a result of decades or probably even centuries of oversight, negligence and irresponsibility in eras when priorities were different and the focus was skin-deep.

A big issue amassing catastrophic proportions is trash — and a big part of it comes from clothing. But the global fashion industry isn’t going to take this sitting down. In recent years, much action has been taken to alleviate this situation, as more and more brands are created for sustainable, upcycling and recycling fashion.  Surpassing the trending seasons and being novel, they have become staples in the retail landscape. 

Today, fashion is revisiting, reinventing and redefining vintage or thrift dressing and the like. The modern term is pre-loved — it can be vintage, thrift and a lot more.  Preloved can also mean pre-owned, pre-worn, used or secondhand. Once popularly sourced in flea markets and specialty shops, now they’re accessible practically everywhere from standalone stores to online and in more advanced countries, with space in department and retail stores. Resale has actually gone big, and from worn-out to hardly used, there is premium in this new normality.

In the Philippines, premier auction house Salcedo Auctions is spearheading this movement in its industry as it takes part in this growing circular economy.  After last year’s successful private sale of local fashion’s icons Pepito Albert and Maurice Arcache pre-loved pieces, they have introduced an optimistic mindset of relevance. Whether runway, unused, limited-edition, vintage or collectors’ item, everything is meticulously assessed and edited for its noteworthiness because everything has a value — like art, it should have provenance. The concept of meaningful purchase through well-thought-of curation is giving a preloved piece a second, third or even fourth life — and no item goes to waste. 

In this March edition of The Well-Appointed Life themed “The World of Art and Luxe,” Salcedo Auctions introduces its Closet of Curiosities — a treasure trove of preloved pieces to lust for. The most covetable designer ready-to-wear, bags, shoes, jewelry and accessories await new owners.  More than just a purchase, modern luxury in fashion today is all about preloved.

To view The Well-Appointed Life’s Closet of Curiosities, drop by Salcedo Auctions (NEX Tower, De la Rosa access road, Legaspi Village, Makati City) anytime from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. up to 8 March (except Monday). The live and online auction will be on Saturday, 9 March.

Discover the richness and diversity of important Philippine and international art, the finest furniture, decor, jewelry, timepieces, fashion and collectibles from the country’s only world-class auction house.

View the online catalogue at https://bit.ly/TWAL_March2024.

Presented in association with exclusive bank partner, Metrobank.