From Paris to Paris Hilton: The Extreme Pursuits of Fashion Super Collectors

For some fashion enthusiasts, acquiring the latest designer trends involves more than a simple shopping trip. A growing community of "super collectors" dedicates significant time, resources, and effort to amass extensive wardrobes of their favorite brands, often tracing their passion back to formative years and specific cultural moments. These collectors pursue rare and iconic pieces with a fervor that takes them to extraordinary lengths.

Laura Gallo-Willis, a real estate entrepreneur, exemplifies this dedication. Her pursuit of a Chanel blazer led her to book an international flight to Paris, an expense that exceeded the cost of the garment itself. Gallo-Willis estimates her Chanel collection, spanning pieces from Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Virginie Viard, and Matthew Blazy, is worth over $1.1 million. She cherishes unique items, such as a 2009 acrylic guitar-shaped bag that cost $23,500. Her collection is so extensive that she has dedicated entire rooms in her London home to it, even incorporating Chanel-inspired decor. To secure elusive pieces, like a 2021 tweed jacket, she activated a network of collectors and personal shoppers known as the "CC Spy Collective." This network helped her locate the jacket at Galleries Lafayette in Paris, leading to a whirlwind trip that included a flight, boutique visit, lunch at the Ritz, and a return flight on the same day.

Another collector, Steph Ermer, is deeply devoted to the whimsical designs of Betsey Johnson. When Johnson's company faced bankruptcy in 2012, Ermer, then 37, saw an opportunity to acquire rare runway samples. She meticulously searches online platforms like Depop for these unique pieces, sometimes spending sleepless nights to secure a find. Her passion began in high school with a Betsey Johnson dress and has since grown into a significant hobby, filling two rooms with her collection. Ermer recently acquired a vintage Betsey Johnson dress for $250 that was later identified as the same piece worn by pop star Olivia Rodrigo. Despite interest from the brand to buy it back, Ermer prefers to keep her rare finds.

Katerina Kladis, a personal shopper, identifies as an "OG Juicy Girl." Her fascination with Juicy Couture began in the early 2000s after seeing the brand on reality television. She describes the velour tracksuits and rhinestone-embellished pieces as capturing a specific moment when luxury, celebrity, and everyday style converged. Kladis has amassed a collection of approximately 2,000 Juicy Couture items, including rare lifestyle pieces like a tea party set created for a 2010 ad campaign, which she acquired for over $1,000. She also sources items by connecting with former store employees and has even lent her collection to the brand for social media campaigns, earning compensation for the use of her pieces.

Laird McIntosh, a former Broadway performer, has cultivated an extensive archive of Ralph Lauren items. His fascination with the brand started in his youth in Canada. After moving to New York City, he dedicated himself to collecting pieces, particularly from what he considers Ralph Lauren's peak period in the mid-1980s. During the pandemic, with theaters closed, McIntosh and his wife relocated upstate, where he opened an appointment-only store called Thoroughbred in Kingston. The store showcases his collection, which includes around 300 tweed jackets and 750 neckties, among other items, serving as a space to share his passion for the brand's history and aesthetic. He has pursued pieces with such intensity that he has purchased items he cannot even wear, signifying the depth of his collector's drive.