How to begin your journey into luxury itemsI know what you’re thinking: “there’s no way there could be anything of use in those moth ball infested closets”. Look again. Our parents and grandparents lived and grew up before luxury brands were so impossible to afford. They had better paying jobs at a younger age, and a lot of them were much better at preserving their goods than we are today. Take a second look, I promise, you’re likely to find something interesting.

It all started in 1993, when a young Teresa Vieira found herself travelling through Europe, Denmark to be exact, that she stumbled upon this gem. Somewhere at the Danish duty free, where diplomats tend to do most of their shopping, she found it. Little did she know, her daughter would benefit from this one decision to purchase a classic Pierre Balmain tufted leather crossbody purse.

1. Do you remember the year/date when you purchased this bag?

“The bag was purchased in 1993/4, in Denmark. I was 32 and posted in Sweden working as the ambassador’s secretary. It was an exciting time, my friends and I had taken a weekend trip to Denmark, and I found this purse at the airport at duty-free.”

2. What was it like making this luxury purchase? Did you have to save for a long time?

“I did not save much it was a straight purchase at the duty-free shop. Because I had a well-paying job and luxury items weren’t as overpriced as they are now, I did not even put too much thought into it.”

3. What made you pick this specific bag? What about it made you choose this specific bag?

“I loved the bag, actually, I bought two at the same time. I did not pay more than £100 for both bags in those years. It was in fashion then, and you know that I love quality, that’s why I purchased it.”

4. How did you feel once you saw me, your daughter, slowly taking ownership over it?

“I’m so happy and proud whenever you use any of my items and hope you’re ready to enjoy and use other stuff I have. I shared so many beautiful moments with the items you’ve adopted, I’m just excited for what they’ll hold for you.”

5. What’s a favourite memory you share with this bag?

“Favourite moment is that you are using the bag almost at the same age as me. Well, I was like 25, I think. It was one of my first designer purchases.”

6. What does this bag remind you of? A person, a place, a memory?

“The bag reminds me of a place where I grew up [Sweden] as an independent person and learned responsibility and grew proud of myself. It reminds me of all the things that lead up to me becoming the woman I am today.”

7. Was Balmain socially popular at that time? Was it trendy?

“I think it was popular, but as we had this possibility of duty free all best items were available for diplomats. I remember my friends were excited about it, but I didn’t purchase it because it was popular. I got it because it was made well [quality].”

8. What are your future wishes for the item? Do you look forward to seeing me hand it down to someone else, someday?

“I think so, you can one day hand it to your daughter or BFF. It became mine because I loved it and bought it for my own use but seeing you use it reminds me of the value of keeping heirlooms.”