Fashionphile expands to the UK with acquisition of Luxe Collective

Luxury re-commerce brand Fashionphile has entered the UK market through the acquisition of the intellectual property, customer database, and social media channels of Luxe Collective, a former UK-based luxury resale marketplace.

Founded in 2018 by brothers Ben and Joe Gallagher, Luxe Collective quickly became known for its distinct voice, engaged community, and rapid growth within the luxury resale space. However, after suffering operational and financial setbacks following a high-value theft last year, the company was unable to recover and ultimately ceased operations.

Under the new agreement, Fashionphile will relaunch as Fashionphile UK, beginning operations immediately under the domain LuxeCollectiveFashion.com. Luxe Collective’s social media channels will evolve into “Fashionphile Collective,” while the company builds toward opening a London flagship authentication center and retail store.

The move marks the company’s first major step into the UK and European markets, aligning with its vision to become the world’s most sought-after brand for buying and selling ultra-luxury accessories.

“This acquisition allows us to combine Luxe Collective’s cultural relevance and strong community with Fashionphile’s scale, technology, and authentication expertise,” said Ben Hemminger, co-founder and CEO of Fashionphile. 

“The UK has a rich history of luxury resale, but no one is doing it our way at real scale. Together with Ben and Joe Gallagher, we intend to change that.”

As part of the acquisition, the Gallagher brothers will join Fashionphile to lead Fashionphile UK. Joe Gallagher will serve as director of operations for Fashionphile UK, while Ben Gallagher will take on the role of director of brand marketing.

“Luxe Collective has always been about more than resale. Ben and Joe have built a real community that connects with luxury in a fresh and authentic way,” said Sarah Davis, founder and president of Fashionphile. 

“The hardships they faced last year were heartbreaking not only for Joe and Ben, but also their entire community. We could not be more thrilled to help bring a breath of life back into the essence of what Ben & Joe Gallagher started. This is about preserving their voice and giving it the resources to thrive on an international stage.”

The acquisition builds on Fashionphile’s ongoing global expansion. In 2023, the company acquired the brand assets of Canadian luxury resale retailer LXRandCo, followed by its 2024 acquisition of Montreal-based Two Authenticators Inc., a distributor of authenticated vintage goods.