As the market for pre-owned luxury fashion continues to grow, Retro Woman Philippines is expanding its online business into a physical retail space, opening a showroom in Makati City where customers can personally inspect and try on secondhand designer bags and other fashion finds.  The family-run business officially opened its showroom on Oct. 28 on the ground floor of King’s Court II Building along Pasong Tamo corner Dela Rosa Street, giving customers more space to explore its collection of authentic pre-owned luxury and vintage designer pieces.  Founded by public relations practitioners Jena Fetalino and her niece, Nikki Fetalino, Retro Woman began in 2021 with a handful of pre-owned designer bags in Fetalino’s townhouse in Parañaque City.  It started as an online venture and eventually grew into a business with a loyal community of customers seeking designer pieces at more accessible prices.  During the opening, Jena explained that a physical showroom allows customers to better appreciate luxury bags, particularly their texture, size and how each piece looks when carried, something that online photos or videos cannot fully convey.  “When buying a bag, people need to feel the texture. They also have to see the proportion of the bag on their body. It’s different when they can actually see and hold the product,” she said.   The showroom carries designer bags, shoes, apparel, fashion accessories and perfumes, including selections from emerging Middle Eastern brands through a business partner based in Dubai.  Retro Woman Philippines sources many of its bags from clients looking to sell pieces they no longer use. Some even invite the team to their homes to assess their collections, giving the business access to pre-owned luxury pieces that may no longer be available in regular retail stores, including limited-edition designs and items sought after by collectors.  To ensure authenticity, Retro Woman provides Entrupy authentication certificates for its items, giving customers added assurance when purchasing pre-owned designer pieces.  Meanwhile, the showroom’s interiors combine contemporary elements with vintage-inspired details. Traditional solihiya and narra chairs are complemented by vintage posters, collectible Louis Vuitton catalogs and other fashion memorabilia, creating a setting that reflects the founders’ appreciation for fashion history.  “It is a new space for more beautiful finds and the same great deals you’ve come to love,” Jena said.  Despite opening a physical location, the company has no plans to discontinue its online operations.   Retro Woman’s live-selling sessions remain a regular fixture every Friday at 7 p.m. on its Facebook and Instagram pages. During the sessions, hosts present each bag under proper lighting, showing its branding, interior, exterior, bottom corners and lining while discussing its history and original purchase details.   “We started live selling in November 2021, right in my townhouse, with very limited stocks. Thankfully, it went well. Since we were also busy running our PR business, we decided to do live selling just once a week, every Friday. It became something our customers looked forward to, and before we knew it, Friday live selling had become a regular thing,” Jena said.  She added that live selling has become an integral part of the business, particularly because customers appreciate being able to ask questions and examine the products during the broadcasts.  “With pre-owned luxury bags, details matter — the condition, the texture of the leather, the size, and even the little signs of wear. Photos can only show so much,” she said.  “The showroom gives customers another way to shop with us, but our Friday live selling will always have a special place in the business,” Fetalino added.  The company also offers layaway arrangements of up to 10 months and free nationwide delivery, giving customers more flexibility when purchasing higher-priced items.  Customer Aileen Beltrano-Bautista said the business stands out for its selection of hard-to-find vintage luxury pieces and transparent condition grading.  She cited the use of numerical ratings, such as 8.5 out of 10, as a way of managing buyers’ expectations. She also noted that the extended layaway arrangements and the hosts’ knowledge of designer brands, their histories and retail prices contribute to a more informed shopping experience.  Jena established her public relations firm, JFPRC, in 2016 and has decades of experience in communications, publishing and public relations. She previously served as president of Mosman NewMedia Inc., publisher of Medical Observer. She received the Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in the Business Services category for small and medium-sized enterprises at the 2014 Stevie Awards for Women in Business.  Her niece, Nikki, serves as JFPRC’s business development director. She brings experience in advertising, corporate communications, digital marketing and multimedia production.  Interestingly, the luxury resale venture remains a side business alongside the founders’ primary public relations work.   The move comes as the Philippine secondhand luxury and pre-owned bag market continues to gain ground. According to estimates by Mobility Foresight, the market is valued at P8.6 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach P16.5 billion by 2032, based on the report’s specific market definition and methodology.