Luxe Collective: Rise, Success & Closure of the UK’s Resale Fashion

Luxe Collective was a UK-based fashion resale company. It specialized in buying and selling pre-owned luxury goods. These included handbags, shoes, accessories, and clothing. The business became popular for its focus on authenticity, transparency, and social media marketing. It was founded in 2018 in Liverpool by brothers Ben and Joe Gallagher. Starting from a small bedroom, they turned it into a multimillion-pound resale platform. Their story is one of growth, disruption, and eventually, unexpected closure.

The Founding and Early Days

Luxe Collective was launched in 2018. Ben Gallagher, then only 18, had a passion for designer goods. He noticed a gap in the market. People wanted luxury items. But they didn’t trust secondhand sellers.

Ben started selling pre-owned items online. His younger brother Joe later joined. They focused on authenticity. Every item was checked and verified. Slowly, customers began to trust them. The business grew organically.

The Beginning of Luxe Collective

Luxe Collective began with a simple idea. Make luxury fashion affordable and trustworthy. The founders saw an opportunity in the secondhand market. Many people wanted luxury items, but few trusted resellers. The Gallaghers wanted to change that. They started buying designer goods, authenticating them, and reselling them online. At first, they did everything themselves. They took photos, handled shipping, and managed social media. Over time, the brand gained traction. More customers started to trust the platform. The growth was organic and fast.

Growth Through Social Media

Rise on TikTok and Instagram

Luxe Collective found massive success on TikTok. Ben created daily videos. He shared facts about fashion brands and explained how to spot fakes. He also discussed the history of luxury houses. These videos went viral.

The content was both fun and educational. This built a loyal following. Their TikTok account reached over 1.4 million followers. Combined social reach exceeded 3 million. Luxe Collective became more than a store. It became a fashion voice.

Building Trust and Brand Loyalty

Ben and Joe built a brand rooted in honesty. Their audience felt connected to them. Videos often showed behind-the-scenes work. They showed the packaging process. They even responded to customer queries online.

This made the brand feel personal. People trusted Luxe Collective. Customers returned again and again. Word spread quickly. Their sales and reputation soared.

Business Success and Recognition

By 2023, Luxe Collective was earning over £7 million per year. The brand was especially popular in London, where nearly half of all sales came from. Their reputation for authentic products and clear communication made them a trusted name. In early 2024, the founders appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. They pitched the business to investors and secured £100,000 from Steven Bartlett in exchange for a 3% stake. The investment brought even more media attention. The deal was a huge win for the brand.

They also partnered with eBay UK. Luxe Collective became the exclusive provider for luxury handbag consignment on the platform. This move opened new sales channels and improved customer reach. The brand continued to scale and improve its operations. Everything was moving in the right direction—until disaster struck.

Warehouse Robbery and Business Challenges

The Break-In Incident

In July 2024, tragedy struck. The Luxe Collective warehouse was broken into. Thieves stole about £500,000 worth of stock. This was almost half of their total inventory. Though insurance covered some losses, the impact was huge.

This theft disrupted their operations. Orders were delayed. Inventory became limited. The team struggled to recover. It shook the confidence of the founders.

Emotional and Mental Health Struggles

Ben Gallagher later shared his struggles publicly. He said the months after the theft were the hardest of his life. Running the business became overwhelming. Stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights followed. The pressure became too much.

In May 2025, Ben announced that Luxe Collective would shut down. He said the decision, though painful, was necessary for his mental health. The company officially ceased operations shortly after.

The Legacy of Luxe Collective

Influence on the Resale Market

Luxe Collective changed how people viewed secondhand fashion. It made resale feel premium, educational, and cool. It removed the stigma around buying used items. Instead, it made sustainability a trend. Other brands began to copy its TikTok strategies. It set a new standard for how modern resale brands should behave online.

Lessons in Leadership

The founders’ story also brought attention to the pressures of fast growth. Ben’s honesty about his burnout was refreshing. It opened conversations about mental health in business. His message was clear. Success means nothing if you’re suffering in silence. His decision to step away, even after massive growth, showed strength and self-awareness.

What Happens Next?

The Luxe Collective website and social pages remain online. But the business is no longer active. Ben and Joe have stepped away. However, they have hinted at new plans in the future.

Many believe they’ll return with something new. Their audience still supports them. Whatever they do next, the Luxe Collective legacy will follow.

Final Thoughts

Luxe Collective was a brand that captured the spirit of modern fashion. It was young, energetic, and focused on doing things the right way and used social media not just to sell, but to educate. It built a loyal following that trusted its every move. Even after the robbery, the brand stayed transparent. It fought hard to stay afloat but eventually chose peace over pressure. Its story is one of ambition, creativity, pain, and growth. It may be gone for now. But Luxe Collective’s legacy in fashion, tech, and social media will live on for years to come.