style
Real Deal Collection
Eating Around
it’s all that—and more
Modern General February 7, 10:30 am Housemade granola with soy milk, black coffee, and a pastry. 637 Cerrillos, moderngeneralnm.com
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GABRIELLA MARKS
IT’S THE HANDBAG collector’s trifecta: Hermés, Louis Vuitton, Chanel. Fashionistas may search across the globe for these coveted French labels, but all three are available in the downtown Santa Fe boutique Real Deal Collection. Nearly 10 years ago, proprietor Corey Palmer was a web designer with a penchant for purses. In online forums, she often saw reports of collectors being scammed with fakes; she had a few run-ins with phonies herself— even from big-name retailers. Seeing the opportunity to combine her two passions, in 2006, Palmer started an online-only consignment business in New York specializing in authentic handbags and jewelry from top luxury labels. She moved to Santa Fe in 2007, and, after a few years, opened the retail storefront. Palmer has spent years honing her ability to distinguish forgeries. Telling a genuine bag from a fake isn’t as easy as distinguishing “Prado” from “Prada” on a label; it comes down to the materials, the hardware, the fonts used in labels, and the tightness and evenness of the stitching. Although Palmer accepts bags for A Balenciaga limited edition bag such as this one can sell her consideration any time the store for more than $1,300. is open, she only authenticates in the quiet of her office. Her thoughtful evaluation ensures that the handbags sold are, well, the real deal. She’s sold several Hermés Birkin bags. “Those are the crème de la crème. When you’ve never seen one in person, it’s kind of like seeing a unicorn,” she says of the soughtafter bags that can cost tens of Would you pay $495 for these thousands of dollars. The boutique Christian Louboutin leopard-print, has also acquired—and quickly pony fur high heel pumps? sold—such rarities as a 1930s Louis Vuitton trunk, and regularly sells bags and accessories shoppers, since there’s a small lag in getting from Balenciaga, Fendi, and Givenchy, to name a few. items posted on the store’s website or eBay. Real Deal Collection makes its items more attainable Palmer encourages aficionados to check with its trade-in program (in which customers can back frequently to find the hottest sold-out bring in bags they no longer use in exchange for store handbags and unique vintage finds that credit) and a 90-day layaway program. will give collectors, including herself, their The boutique acquires between a dozen and a hundred fixes. —Ashley M. Biggers new pieces a week, and the items are available immediately. All can be found online—though people who Real Deal Collection, 223 W San Francisco, frequent the boutique have an advantage over internet realdealcollection.com 28
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