Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you're curious about our small run shopping experience, interested in our views on sustainable practices, eager to explore the inspiration behind our limited collections, or simply seeking tips on how to care for your reVAMPT treasures, you'll find it here (or we're just an email away).

GENERAL

Who is reVAMPT?

At reVAMPT, we believe that style goes beyond what you wear—it’s a story, a form of self-expression, and a reflection of individuality. Founded by Matt Hyams, reVAMPT is a creative outlet inspired by the art of giving new life to damaged goods. Through creative reinvention, we focus on transforming new and old materials like leather, silk, and precious metals into small accessories such as key rings, bag charms, and chains, each celebrating the beauty of their origin and inspiring their continued purpose as something new.

While our focus is on repurposing and handcrafting unique pieces, we also curate a limited selection of pre-loved designer bags, clothing, and accessories in their original, repaired, or reinvented condition, perfect for those who value both sustainability and timeless style.

What is reVAMPT's philosophy on restoring, repurposing and reinventing items?

reVAMPT's philosophy revolves around the belief in the transformative power of restoring, repurposing, and reinventing items. We see each piece not just as an object, but as a canvas for creativity and sustainability. By breathing new life into vintage treasures, we honour their history while giving them a fresh purpose and modern aesthetic. Our commitment to quality craftsmanship ensures that every item is restored or repurposed with care, resulting in unique and timeless pieces that stand the test of time. We believe in the beauty of imperfection and celebrate the individual character of each item, making every reVAMPT creation a one-of-a-kind treasure, ready to live another life.

How do you curate your collections?

At reVAMPT, our collections are curated with meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for quality. Each piece is handpicked and assessed based on its unique brand or history, exceptional quality, and enduring appeal. We prioritize sourcing items that tell a compelling style story and reflect our commitment to offering curated fashion experiences that inspire and delight.

What do you mean by 'short-run' shopping experience?

A "short-run" shopping experience at reVAMPT means that our creations are made in limited quantities or as one-of-a-kind pieces. Each item is carefully handcrafted, often from repurposed luxury materials, and designed to celebrate individuality and artistry. Because our focus is on creativity and sustainability—not mass production—many of our products are only available for a short time or in very limited runs. This makes every reVAMPT piece truly special and uniquely yours.

Can you source or create a custom item for me?

Absolutely! We're always on the lookout for unique designer treasures, and even more thrilled to be hunting for something special that will bring you joy. If there's a specific piece you're searching for, or one you'd like custom made feel free to reach out to us with your request, and we'll do our best to source it for you, or notify you when we have an alternative in stock.

You can lodge your custom commission or sourcing request here.

Can I sell or consign at item through reVAMPT?

Yes, subject to review, we welcome the opportunity to consign or sell your items through reVAMPT or to purchase and repurpose items that are beyond functional repair. Please contact us for more information on our consignment process, fees, and quality requirements.

How long will it take to ship?

Typically, pieces will ship within 48 hours of purchase. For order tracking, click here.

Where do you ship to?

Shipping locations are noted as a part of our checkout process, however if your location is not listed, please contact us, and we'll do our best to accommodate your request.

Can I return a purchase?

Yes, we offer a return, credit or exchange policy. If you change your mind about your purchase, simply contact us within seven days of delivery receipt, and we'll provide you with instructions on how to return the item for a refund or exchange.

To cover inspection and processing requirements, refunds & credits are subject to a restocking fee of 10%. This will be deducted from the value of the refund or credit.

Our products are shipped with a security hang-tag, which is required to remain attached in order for any return, exchange or refund to be considered.

Items that are produced or sourced as custom requests, or marked as Final Sale are not available for exchange, return or refund.

How will my item be packaged?

Your item will be carefully packaged by hand to ensure it arrives safely and securely. We use a variety of packaging materials, based on the type of item, to protect your purchase during transit.

For charms and small goods, we include a dust bag and box. For items that are a reinvention or repurpose, you'll also receive an information card with the original design or piece it's been converted from noted.

If the item comes with original packaging, this will be included as well, noting that packaging will be mentioned in the item description where this applies. In some cases it is worth noting that the original packaging may have deteriorated, and does not reflect a product flaw for refund or exchange purposes. For new reVAMPT packaging or custom gift wrap, please ensure to indicate this in the comments.

Please note that changes to packaging and inclusions can impact the shipping weight and cost. Should you prefer not to receive packaging where it is included, please let us know in your order contents and we can advise how it impacts shipping options.

Can you accommodate gift wrapping and special messages?

Yes, we offer discreet gift wrapping services and can include a personalized message with your order. Simply let us know your preferences during checkout, and we'll take care of the rest.

Will I have to pay duties?

While it’s the less exciting side of your awesome new purchase, it’s worth noting that depending on your country of purchase, your item may be subject to different taxes and additional customs duties upon arrival. These costs are dependant on your location and the size of your order.

For insurance purposes, we do not under-declare the purchase price of items.

QUALITY & CARE

Are your items authentic?

Yes, all items sold by reVAMPT are guaranteed to be authentic, and your purchase is ensured to be the real deal. We verify the authenticity of each piece in our collection to ensure our products are genuine designer goods. In addition to third party expert authentication services, we also rely on a number of assessors with professional experience in the authentication space. Should you have concerns about a piece that you've purchased, please contact us directly. Where indicated based on the product type, an authentication certificate can be provided for an additional fee.

Please note, authentication certificates are not available for reinventions.

What are your quality gradings for vintage goods?

As with all vintage and preloved goods, you should account for your new piece having some personality from its prior life. We believe imperfection is a part of the story, and strive to bring pieces back to a functional life (even if it's as something new or unusual which enables this).

We classify the quality of our vintage goods based on a thorough inspection process. Our grading system ranges from New (with or without tags) and As-New, to Great, Good, and Fair (for used products), with detailed descriptions and photos provided for each item to transparently communicate its condition.

Reinventions are new products made from up-cycling vintage materials (see FAQs regarding our process for this). While only the best part of the original product is selected for re-use, this still may be subject to minor daily living flaws. For instance - our repurposed crocodile skin small leather goods are bewitchingly beautiful, but the skin has still had a life longer than your grandparents!

Can I request customized or altered reVAMPT items?

Certainly! We welcome customization requests for reVAMPT items. Whether it's altering the size, colour, or design, our team can work with you to create a personalized piece that reflects your unique style. We can even take a piece you already have and suggest possibilities for a second life.

Please bear in mind that custom work will have a longer delivery timeframe, with prices quoted upon demand.

How do I care for my item?

Caring for your reVAMPT item is essential to maintain its longevity and beauty.

We recommend following the care instructions provided with each product, which may include hand-washing, dry cleaning, or specific storage guidelines. As vintage pieces often have a tendency to crease or wear in specific places, your purchase may come with an insert to hold the shape when not in use.

Additionally, avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture can help preserve the quality and colour of your item over time, whether it is leather, silk, cotton or any other fibre.

To ensure the longevity of special and exotic skins (eg. ostrich, sting ray, crocodile, snake, lizard) it is essential to regularly use a specialized leather conditioner (we recommend Saphir products), avoiding exposure to water (yes, it's ironic for a crocodile!), and storing properly when not in use.

If in doubt, reach out to us for more information.

RESTORATION & REINVENTION

What are "reinventions"?

We use the term reinvention (or "a reinvention") to refer to a piece that is living a new life with an alteration that renders it different from the designer's original intention (if this were the case, we would consider it to be a restoration).

Reinvention could be anything from a minor change that results in using non-manufacturer parts (removing and replacing a strap so that a crossbody becomes a clutch), to a major rework - for instance our small leather goods made from vintage purses, and our bowtie collection from silk scarves.

How do you retain the authenticity of an altered designer piece?

From our perspective, each piece we handle is authentic, whether it remains in it's original conditioned, is restored, or reinvented.

We know that the designers we love might feel differently about repurposing and up-cycling, and while we love and respect the work that they have forged, we show our appreciation for it by ensuring that even the pieces that they would refuse to service or restore can live their best life.

Wherever possible, we work to ensure the original manufacturer of a piece is involved in it's restoration or repair, however with the exception of new or modern pieces, often the pieces we select fall outside of their warranty and serviceable lifespan.

What materials do you use to ensure the quality of an alteration or reinvention?

Only the finest materials, actually! Whether it's a restoration or reinvention, our goal is emulate the original designer's quality of workmanship and materials to the highest degree possible.

This means that when we find out that Hermès use a particular type of wool interlining in their silk products, we source the best Italian 100% lambswool available in the world, and use silk thread to-boot. Even down to the different considerations of leather edging paint consistency, we've zoomed in on the minute details that deliver a premium, luxury product, with priceless treasures that embody not just their designer heritage, but also a distinction of quality that we stand behind.

Curious about the stitching on that leather agenda restoration for instance? That's all done by hand, just like the original artisan who sculpted it for the first day of its origin story.

Wondering what makes the gold plating on our vintage Chanel products gleam? That's all retouched in 24k, exactly like the showroom it came from.

Learn more about some of the restoration and reinvention techniques we use by clicking here.

Will you restore an item that I already own but do not wish to sell?

While our primary focus is on curating and creating unique pieces for our collection, we may consider restoring items owned by clients on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us with details about the item you wish to restore, and we'll assess if we can accommodate your request.

Wherever possible, we aim to purchase these pieces ourselves to ensure creative license in their reinvention or restoration process.

Did we miss something?

Quick Read: Chat with Matt

Learn more about the aesthetic behind reVAMPT in this interview with founder and curator, Matt Hyams.

READ MORE

Let's go shopping!

Ready to discover some unique finds, or perhaps wishlist a custom piece that's been on your mind that you'd like to add to your collection? Let us know - we love to make dreams come true.