About Us

Established in 2004 by designer and archivist Vanda Smith, VS Vintage Archive specialises in sourcing rare, high-end vintage clothing and accessories for fashion houses (including Dior, Phoebe Philo, and Vivienne Westwood) and editorial stylists seeking historical reference and design inspiration.

The archive curates archival vintage, couture labels and historical garments dating from 1890 to 1990, alongside unique, lesser-known pieces chosen for their exceptional construction, textiles, and rarity.


The Design Philosophy

Back in the 1990s, Vanda was working in the Erickson Beamon studio, constructing couture runway pieces for fashion houses including Givenchy and John Galliano, Bella Freud, Ghost, and Dries Van Noten.

That experience had a profound effect, fundamentally shaping her career from the 2000s onwards and driving her to reject mass production. Instead, she chose to focus on meticulously creating one-off pieces for her own jewellery and accessories label, Vanda Smith, and building VS Vintage Archive in 2004 to supply historical design references back to luxury houses and the wider industry.

This commitment to preserving the master crafts of the past directly informs her modern alliances. Through archival vintage curation on the global luxury network 1stDibs and a digital partnership with the sustainable platform Phia, she actively works to challenge mass production by championing rare, archival, and pre-owned alternatives for a new generation.


Our Services


• The Private Collection: Rare & archival vintage garment hire for design teams, styling and editorial reference.

• The Photographic Archive: A fully documented digital tool accompanying the physical collection. It serves as an alternative to hiring samples, capturing precise construction, fabric, print and silhouette details.

• Bespoke Design: Specialist design services for womenswear, jewellery and accessories tailored to your exact project requirements.

• Shop the Collections: A considered online edit of archival vintage alongside rare contemporary clothing, accessories, homeware, and one-off pieces from the in-house label, Vanda Smith (as featured in Vogue, Tatler, and The Guardian).


Where to Find Us 

The retail collections are updated seasonally. Archival vintage, curated edits, and consigned pieces are discoverable through premier global partners:

• Liberty London: In-store curation at the iconic British luxury department store in the Designer Vintage Department.

• 1stDibs: Premium digital collections hosted by the world’s leading luxury marketplace.

• Kerry Taylor Auctions: Exceptionally rare historical pieces periodically consigned to the world's premier fashion auction house.

• Freeman's | Hindman: Consignments of rare historical couture within the United States.

• Phia: Official brand partner with the sustainable digital AI powered shopping platform co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni. 

• Vintage Fashion Guild: Member. Dedicated to the global education, promotion, and preservation of fashion history.


Work With Us

To submit specific archive sourcing requirements, initiate a design project, or request a digital Photo Archive look-book, contact the studio via email, live chat or the dedicated booking form.

Join the community: Sign up for the mailing list to receive exclusive, first-look access to new archive arrivals and private collection updates and sale events.



© 2004–2027 VS Vintage Archive & Vanda Smith. All Rights Reserved.

'FROM ARCHIVE TO INSPIRATION’ - PHOEBE PHILO / KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS

A huge thanks to the Vintage Fashion Guild for our inclusion in the September ’26 VFG Newsletter………"From Archive To Inspiration."

They were kind enough to share that the Phoebe Philo design team recently referenced my archive for creative research, which is a true career highlight, and I am deeply honoured to have worked with them.

The feature also includes a mention of my sixth year working with the prestigious, world-leading Kerry Taylor Auctions. 

My Gianni Versace Medusa head belt pocket bag will be entered into their upcoming Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles auction on October 13th–14th. 

Lot number to follow shortly. Register to bid today at www.kerrytaylorauctions.com

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KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS - ‘VINTAGE FASHION, ANTIQUE COSTUME & TEXTILES’ AUCTION

We are delighted to announce our 6th year working with the prestigious auction house Kerry Taylor Auctions—‘the world's leading auction house specialising in vintage fashion, fine antique costume and textiles’.

Featured in the upcoming October sale is our rare 1990s vintage Gianni Versace - Belt Bag.

The 'Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles' auction goes live online from London on 13th October 2026 at 14:00 BST. Lot number 385. Register to bid today at www.kerrytaylorauctions.com

Past sale highlights include a rare 1980s Vintage, Raspberry Pink BodyMap Dress - Lot Number 418 - 'Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles' (Group Lot Number 132) - Tuesday 25th of March 2025. 

Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Group Lot - JC de Castelbajac Two-Way Wrap Dress, c.2000 + JC de Castelbajac Silver 'Fang' Necklace - 'Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles' (Group Lot Number 132) - Tuesday the 15th of October 2024.

Tsumori Chisato, c.1975 - Issey Miyake Dress + Scarf Set + Issey Miyake Sarong / Scarf - 'Vintage Fashion, Antique Costume & Textiles' (Group Lot Number 123) - Tuesday the 16th of April 2024. 

Our personal auction favourites include the Judith Franklin hat worn by Steve Strange in David Bowie’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’ music video in 1980 and a rare Issey Miyake moulded acrylic breastplate/ buster A/W 1980-81 worn by Grace Jones. Audrey Hepburn’s private collection of Haute Couture, Madonna’s iconic Jean Paul Gaultier stage wear and rare early John Galliano pieces. 

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VINTAGE FASHION GUILD - 'VINTAGE MEETS AI'

Many thanks to the Vintage Fashion Guild for our inclusion in the March ’26 VFG Newsletter…...’Vintage Meets AI’…...celebrating our Brand Partnership (VSVA) with PHIA - The AI-Powered Shopping Tool developed by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni…..designed to surface vintage and preloved alternatives while users shop online.

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VS VINTAGE ARCHIVE x PHIA 

We are excited to announce our Brand Partnership with Phia - the AI-Powered Shopping Tool developed by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni.

Key Features:


• Save Money: Find discounts up to 90% off retail prices, including rare, sold-out and one-off pieces. Browse Top-Tier Phia Partner Brands including, Dior, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Comme Des Garcons, Louis Vuitton, Alaia, Phoebe Philo, Burberry, Supreme, Fendi, Ferragamo, Chloe, Bottega Veneta, Isabel Marant, Gucci, Off-White, Moncler and many more.
• Save Time: Advanced AI curates the most relevant secondhand finds from over 6500 top resale partners. Filter by brand, size, price, and more.

• Sustainable Shopping: Every secondhand purchase helps reduce waste, combat fast fashion, and promote a greener planet.

• Shop with Confidence: All items are authenticated, ensuring premium quality and luxury standards.
  

We look forward to sharing more news, brand directory entry and listing highlights in the next few weeks.

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FREEMAN'S AUCTIONS

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Freeman's Auctions one of the leading auction houses in the United States.



As America’s oldest auction house, Freeman’s has been an active part of the auction world and art market for nearly 220 years. 



Hindman Auctioneers, one of the nation's foremost fine art auction houses, has been providing exceptional service and achieving record prices since 1982. 



In 2023, Freeman’s and Hindman Auctions merged to form Freeman’s | Hindman.



Freeman's Luxury Handbags and Couture department specialise in vintage luxury handbags and accessories, haute couture, fine ready-to-wear examples and museum-quality artefacts.



The department offers three annual auctions of important and rare items from museums, private collectors, and estates.



Look out for our inclusions at Freeman's Auctions HOLIDAY LUX 6413 Auction on December 12th 2025 and the FALL FASHION 6411 Auction on September 12th 2025 @ 10.00am CT (Timed Online / Chicago) - Register to bid at Freeman's Auctions

LOT NUMBER 266 - Bill Gibb - 1970s Vintage - Apricot Orange, Broderie Anglaise Dress (SOLD / HOLIDAY LUX 6413 Auction)

LOT NUMBER 105 - Holly Harp - 1970s Vintage - Floor Length Dress / Gown (SOLD / FALL FASHION 6411 Auction)

LOT NUMBER 107 - Krizia - 1980s Vintage - Beaded, Tie-Dye Velvet ‘Warrior’ Jacket. (SOLD / FALL FASHION 6411 Auction)

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VINTAGE FASHION GUILD - ‘HAMMER TIME’ 

Many Thanks to the Vintage Fashion Guild for our inclusion in the 'September ’25 Newsletter'......celebrating bringing our ‘vintage treasures to major auction houses’ both in the U.K. (Kerry Taylor Auctions) and the U.S. (Freeman’s | Hindman)

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VINTAGE FASHION GUILD - 'CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN VINTAGE RETAIL'  

Many Thanks to the for Vintage Fashion Guild for our inclusion in the December '24 Newsletter......celebrating our 20th year in business and 4th year working with Kerry Taylor Auctions.

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KERRY TAYLOR AUCTIONS - ‘PASSION FOR FASHION’ AUCTION

Kerry Taylor Auctions is ‘the worlds leading auction house specialising in vintage fashion, fine antique costume and textiles’. 

Look out for our inclusions on Tuesday the 12th of December 2023 @ 9.00 GMT+1/BST - Register to bid @ www.kerrytaylorauctions.com

- Group Lot 38 - Gianni Versace Couture - Studded Clutch Bag + Versace Collection - Studded Skirt

- Group Lot 314 - Gianni Versace Couture - Studded Culottes c.1992 + Gianni Versace - Asymmetric Top c.1993 

The highlight of the show this time is Elizabeth Taylor’s Christian Dior couture Soirée à Rio 'Oscars' dress, Spring-Summer 1961, by Marc Bohan (Lot 422). This historic gown, along with a selection of pieces from the late Hollywood icon’s wardrobe, comprise Lots 407-422 in the sale.

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VINTAGE FASHION GUILD

We are excited to announce our approval as a member of the prestigious Vintage Fashion Guild.

The VFG is the leading online label and fabric resource for vintage fashion, fostering knowledge, understanding and appreciation of vintage fashion through their international community of members.

The organisation is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of vintage fashion and is an indispensable vintage- fashion knowledge database.

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CLEARPAY - PAY NOW PAY LATER

We have added the - ClearPay - Buy Now Pay Later payment method to our online store. Receive products immediately and pay in four interest-free instalments. Find us on the ClearPay Member - Shop Directory or shop using  ClearPay in-store.

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1STDIBS - ONLINE STORE

We are delighted to announce our collaboration with the prestigious online platform 1stDibs home to ‘The Most Beautiful Things on Earth’.

Shop our considered edit of rare Vintage & Contemporary one-off pieces, curated for 1stDibs.

Visit us online - @VS Vintage Archive-1stDibs

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LIBERTY LONDON 

We currently stock a selection or rare designer vintage clothing and accessories at Liberty London sourced by their resident buyer Stelios Hawa.

In-store - Liberty London, Regent St, Carnaby, London W1B 5AH - 1st Floor @ Liberty London - Designer Vintage.

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BRENNAN AND BURCH

We are happy to announce our collaboration with interiors brand Brennan and Burch…….with the kind use of their ‘Zig Zag’ print for our Limited Edition Tissue Paper. 

Please visit our online Homeware Edit to purchase a selection of colourful, fantastical, hand-drawn Limted Editon Art Prints and Posters by Brennan and Burch. Alternatively visit www.brennan-and-burch.co.uk to purchase their full range.

If you are increasingly aware of fast fashions impact on the environment and are looking for a more sustainable way to shop, buying pre-loved or vintage could be the answer for you.

By buying pre-loved or vintage you are extending the life of these items…………with just 9 extra months of use, you could reduce their carbon, water and waste footprints by around 20-30%.

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Our Private Collection is steam cleaned with an environmentally conscious approach.

Steam Cleaning / Environmental Credentials 

* Steaming kills odour causing germs whilst removing 99.9% of bacteria 

* Steaming removes the allergens that attract dust mites

* Steaming requires nothing more than water and heat therefore, is non-polluting compared with other mite eradication methods that require the use of detergents and chemicals used in dry cleaning agents

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We are committed to sustainability, and your order will be shipped in eco-friendly packaging. Our presentation utilizes fully recyclable FSC-certified tissue paper and Colourplan paper-covered boxes, sourced from an FSC and ECF accredited supplier.

Colourplan Paper / Environmental Credentials 

* Colourplan Paper is fully recyclable and biodegradable

* Colourplan Paper has FSC certification, meaning the pulps used are all from managed forests

* It is also Heavy Metal Free and because the bleaching process avoids the use of harmful chlorine, it is classified ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free)