Announcement
French treasures of a long time past, touched by whiffs of theatre dust, sprinkles of circus magic & fairy tales of tulle and sparkling gems.
Old-fashioned customer service goes hand-in-hand with our heirloom beauties.
IG @ merci.claude
merciclaude.com
Featured items
Items
All Items
Reviews
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Katie on Apr 19, 2024
5 out of 5 starsOne of the loveliest vintage things I have ever bought. I will treasure this jacket. Beautifully packaged also.
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everourangel on Mar 31, 2024
5 out of 5 starsLOVEZZZ, beautiful as stated and it will be treasured🤍
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Ana on Mar 4, 2024
5 out of 5 starsPerfect! Everything! The presentation, the extra touches and even the packing material! Don’t know where you got the idea but is fantastic!
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Karbrooke on Feb 23, 2024
5 out of 5 starsAdore this ensemble,truly my style,Vendor so kind reducing ,and packaged beautifully,delivery prompt.so very happy with my purchase and delighted with my purchase,
Mademoiselle responded on Mar 6, 2024
Glad you're happy with this superbly spooky, mournful ensemble from Paris :)
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Delise on Feb 16, 2024
5 out of 5 starsThe seller was really quick to respond to any questions and was very nice. The bodice is stunning, better than expected. It was beautifully packaged and arrived very quickly. Would highly recommend this seller!
About MerciClaude
Shop policies
Shipping
Customs and import taxes
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
Cancellations
Privacy policy
More information
Frequently asked questions
1. What is your delivery policy?
Shipping is usually within 24hrs, but it can exceptionally take up to 3 days.
All items are sent fully insured and tracked by the French postal service.
International customers (outside France) please include your phone number for shipment tracking purposes.
Buyer is liable for all import duties/taxes.
2. Do you accept returns?
YES 😊
Every item is hand-selected by me and carefully inspected and accurately described in the listing, but if you are unhappy with a purchase, please first check out my shop policies, and then contact me within 14 days to secure a return.
I try to be reasonable, and I want my customers to be happy, so if it doesn't fit or it isn't what you expected, please contact me. Please don't go nuclear and leave a crappy review because we can usually work out a solution before it comes to that.
3. How do you resolve quality-control disputes on orders?
Vintage and antique items can come with flaws, age-related damage, or other imperfections which I always disclose in the item description and try to show it clearly in photos.
I adhere to Etsy seller policies and always work with Etsy Support if a customer is unhappy.
Before shipping, each and every item is photographed front and back with the packing slip.
This allows for easy and fast dispute resolution in the (very rare) case where a buyer disputes the quality of the items, or suggests that the item they received bears rips, stains or other imperfections that were not disclosed prior to purchase.
Note that I will not process a refund if my photos clearly show that the damage occurred after a customer received the goods.
4. What about the condition of antique and vintage items?
VINTAGE items (approx. 20 to 99 years old) can have imperfections, marks, slight damage, scuffs, scratches or signs of wear and tear. They have often been worn previously or they are sometimes as-new, or completely unworn (these are called dead stock items).
ANTIQUE items (at least 100 years old) often come with imperfections or damage, but some are in excellent shape.
Some items I sell are not suitable for everyday wear or use because they are so fragile or damaged. In this case I usually describe them as ‘perfect for display, study, or to use in a photo styling project’.
5. Help, I love the idea of buying vintage, but I’m creeped-out by the potential smell of stuff that has been previously worn by someone else
I get it. If a strong odour is present (especially body odour around the armhole of a shirt for example), I always point this out in the description.
Also please remember that antique items and vintage theatre costumes can sometimes have a musty smell if they have been stored in an attic, or backstage in a theatre or somewhere even a teeny weeny bit damp.
Where possible I try to remove the smell, but sometimes you just have to live with it. And if you can’t then it’s probably best for you to stick with buying new goods.
6. So wait, do you clean and repair some items?
Yes, I will hand wash and iron items if it’s possible to do so. These items are described as:
‘Freshly laundered + ready to wear’
‘Professionally dry-cleaned + ready to wear’
If I’ve repaired a loose seam, replaced a zipper, buttons, or carried out another repair it will be noted in the description.
I never try to repair a museum-worthy, or antique item myself. Often these items are sold to serious collectors or museums. Buyers are responsible for any professional restorations after purchase.
7. Do you work with professional buyers then?
Yes, I am experienced in dealing with the needs of professional costumiers, museum curators, film + TV wardrobe departments and commercial patternmakers.
I also work closely with haute couture houses, often supplying antique items that they use as inspiration for a future collection.
On request I can provide a customised business invoice that bears my company registration number, business address, and a cost breakdown etc.
I can also upgrade to a courier service on request (buyer pays extra cost).
8. How can you accurately date item?
It is sometimes tricky, but I try hard to pinpoint the era / decade of each item. Often it is a judgement call that I make based on personal experience and knowledge. I have a Masters in French history and a BA in fashion design, but I do make mistakes from time-to-time! What I can say is that I am an introverted fashion nerd who spends an unnatural amount of time surrounded by fashion history reference books, and researching online sources. I can also call in experts for vintage haute couture and antique items if needed.
Thank you for visiting my store!
Please message me with any questions, big or small :)