My initial introduction to Vivrelle involved taking a trip to the company’s NYC showroom (which all members in the area have access to), and guys, this place is better than Bergdorf’s. I’m talking shelves upon shelves of Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton—you name it, it’s there, all color-coordinated and meticulously arranged. I truly felt like I had died and gone to handbag heaven. And, yes, all of the above (and much more) is available on the site for members nationwide.
I wandered around the showroom plucking haute hopefuls left and right before finally settling on this retro-looking tweed Chanel with an estimated retail value of $3,800, which I walked out carrying. Since it was an older bag, there were some signs of wear and tear, but nothing egregious. The Vivrelle staffer who checked me out also took careful note of any imperfections, which I appreciated since it meant I didn’t have to stress about the condition later.
On that note, while Vivrelle does include insurance for normal wear in your membership price, additional damage may require you to pay a deductible for repair or replacement; you can, however, pay $18 a month for an upgraded policy that will cover any costs should they arise. I’ve worn my rentals out to dinner and events but have been careful with them (so never had to pay for repairs); I wouldn’t wear one to a Paint ‘N Pour party, for example.
