About The Rareté

The Rareté offers a refined edit of archival and vintage designer fashion, spanning era-defining pieces from the 1970s through the early 2000s. The edit currently includes pieces from Alaïa, Alexander McQueen, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Halston, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, and Yves Saint Laurent, curated for collectors, stylists, and clients seeking pieces with a documented design history.

Each listing is researched individually. Where a piece corresponds to a specific runway season, The Rareté records that season and, where available, the look number and a photographic or press reference, drawing on runway archives and period imagery. Several Chloé pieces, for example, date to the Stella McCartney era at the house. Where a piece reflects a season's design language without a confirmed runway match, the individual product page notes that distinction rather than implying otherwise.

The edit serves collectors building a considered wardrobe of archival fashion, stylists and production teams working through the Archival Collection, and clients searching for a specific designer, era, or silhouette through Sourcing Requests. Selected pieces can be requested for a fitting under The Rareté's Pull-to-Purchase-or-Rent terms, and a smaller set of pieces is available to rent exclusively through a named third-party partner, noted on the relevant product page.

Each piece is authenticated in-house by The Rareté before it is listed, in addition to the season and provenance research described above. Clients with further questions are welcome to contact The Rareté directly.

Frequently asked questions

What eras and designers does The Rareté carry?

The edit spans the 1970s through the early 2000s. The current roster includes pieces from Alaïa, Alexander McQueen, Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Halston, Jean Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Valentino, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, and Yves Saint Laurent. Because each piece is one-of-a-kind, the specific pieces in stock change over time.

How does The Rareté document its pieces?

Each listing is researched individually for house and season, and, where available, a documented runway look and photographic or press reference. The product page states when a piece reflects a season's design language without a confirmed runway match.

Does The Rareté authenticate every piece?

Yes. Each piece is authenticated in-house by The Rareté before it is listed, in addition to the season and provenance research described on this page.

Can I rent a piece instead of buying it?

Selected pieces can be requested for a fitting under The Rareté's Pull-to-Purchase-or-Rent terms, which include a pull fee and, if the garment is worn, a rental fee. A smaller set of pieces is rented exclusively through a named third-party partner and is noted as such on the product page.

What if I'm looking for a specific designer, era, or piece?

Submit a Sourcing Request describing what you're looking for, and The Rareté will look into availability.

Who is the Archival Collection for?

Stylists, editorial teams, red carpet styling, TV and film production, and exhibits. Contact The Rareté directly for the current lookbook and pricing.