Emerging Designers Capture Attention in Luxury Resale Market

The luxury resale market is witnessing a significant shift as emerging designers gain traction, according to The RealReal's 2026 Resale Report. Noelle Sciacca, the platform's associate director of fashion merchandising and content strategy, emphasized that resale acts as a powerful discovery tool for these new talents.

One standout among these rising stars is Henry Zankov, whose New York-based knitwear label has garnered over 11,000 "obsessions"—a measure of user favorites—on The RealReal, averaging about 175 obsessions per item. This surge in popularity aligns with Zankov's recent appointment as the creative director for Diane von Furstenberg.

Other emerging brands are also making their mark. Heirlome has seen a 165% increase in obsessions, totaling around 7,000 for its 65 pieces, while Radh boasts a staggering 432% rise with over 2,300 obsessions from 85 items. Sandy Liang, Toteme, Rodarte, and Eckhaus Latta are also enjoying notable growth in user interest.

Despite the rise of these newcomers, established luxury brands like Chanel continue to dominate the resale landscape. Chanel has overtaken Louis Vuitton as the most-searched brand on The RealReal, driven by the excitement surrounding Matthieu Blazy's debut collection. Searches for Chanel skyrocketed by 10,967% following this launch.

While Louis Vuitton dropped to second place, Prada, Gucci, and Miu Miu rounded out the top five. The report also highlighted increasing interest in brands like Alaa, with a 136% rise in saved searches, indicating that consumer demand continues to evolve.

As retail prices in the primary market soar, many consumers, particularly Gen Z, are turning to resale as a more accessible option for luxury shopping. The secondary market is expanding at a pace two to three times faster than its primary counterpart, with 58% of shoppers expressing a preference for resale options. A significant driver of this trend is the growing demand for vintage items, which saw a 432% increase in demand from 2020 to 2026.

According to Sciacca, shoppers are now more deliberate, considering the history, quality, and uniqueness of their purchases. This shift reflects a broader trend toward individuality in fashion, with vintage pieces offering a distinct alternative to the often homogenized offerings seen in contemporary retail.

Source: fashionista.com