Harborough woman stunned after fiver charity shop purchase goes under the hammer for nearly £2k

By The Newsroom
Published 21st May 2024, 17:17 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
A vintage belt bought for a fiver at a charity shop by a Harborough holidaymaker has sold for 380 times the amount after turning out to be a French designer treasure.

The owner purchased the item for £5 during a trip to Barbados in 2019 - but assumed it was a fake despite bearing Chanel’s unmistakable CC logo.

And she was left stunned when jewellery experts confirmed the glittering belt, shimmering with crystals, was a genuine vintage Chanel worth much more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The bargain belt has now sold at auction for £1,900 after going under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire.

A vintage belt bought for a fiver at a charity shop by a Harborough holidaymaker has sold for 380 times the amount after turning out to be a French designer treasure.A vintage belt bought for a fiver at a charity shop by a Harborough holidaymaker has sold for 380 times the amount after turning out to be a French designer treasure.
A vintage belt bought for a fiver at a charity shop by a Harborough holidaymaker has sold for 380 times the amount after turning out to be a French designer treasure.

The owner said: "I often pick up things from charity shops. It never occurred to me that it could be genuine. 

"On reflection, I have to smile at the Bajan lady who was volunteering in the shop.

"She suggested it might be a nice decoration for my Christmas tree.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The item turned out to be too valuable to enhance the festive decorations after being identified as a genuine Chanel by jewellery expert Kate Bliss.

Hansons Auctioneers' head of jewellery Helen Smith and saleroom owner Charles Hanson with the Chanel belt. Image: Hansons / SWNSHansons Auctioneers' head of jewellery Helen Smith and saleroom owner Charles Hanson with the Chanel belt. Image: Hansons / SWNS
Hansons Auctioneers' head of jewellery Helen Smith and saleroom owner Charles Hanson with the Chanel belt. Image: Hansons / SWNS

Made in France in the 1990s, the Runway aurora rhinestone diamond-paste belt was a style famously modelled by Linda Evangelista in Chanel’s 1995 Ready-to-Wear fashion show.

The seller added: "I wore it a couple of times as a necklace but found it a bit blingy so it just sat in its box.

"Then, earlier this year, I went to the Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I saw the jewellery on display it reminded me of the belt.

The holidaymaker wandered into a charity shop and spotted the unusual belt bearing Chanel’s unmistakable CC logo. Image: Hansons / SWNSThe holidaymaker wandered into a charity shop and spotted the unusual belt bearing Chanel’s unmistakable CC logo. Image: Hansons / SWNS
The holidaymaker wandered into a charity shop and spotted the unusual belt bearing Chanel’s unmistakable CC logo. Image: Hansons / SWNS

“On closer inspection I found a Chanel mark and date and decided to take it along to a valuation day hosted by jewellery expert Kate Bliss and

Hansons Auctioneers at Albert’s Archives in North Kilworth, Leicestershire.

"I was thrilled to meet Kate and learn more about the belt. It turned out to be genuine.”Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “Initially we expected the belt to realise between £400 and £600 but after research guided it at £1,000-£1,500. 

"It hammered at £1,400 and the premium-inclusive total paid by a bidder in the United States was £1,954. Vintage designer clothes and accessories are in demand."

Related topics:HarboroughCharles HansonBarbados