The Provenance Files

Stories behind resale culture, value, and identity — from archival grails to ownership equity.

Jargon-free explainers on tokenization, royalties, and how RETRO works.

R//SEARCH

Research, whitepapers, and industry insights — from protocol design to resale trends.

Developer Chronicles

Real build logs and rogue diagrams from the engineers (and founder) building RETRO — no AI here.

While this journey is imagined, it's based on how RETRO//VRS works in real life...provenance, royalties, and ownership that doesn’t end at the first sale.

In the world of luxury resale, some bags don’t just change hands, they make history. This is the imagined story of one legendary Chanel piece that has journeyed across continents, generations, and lifestyles while earning its owners more than just admiration. Thanks to the power of blockchain-backed provenance and RETRO//VRS’s innovative royalties system, this bag has literally paid its owners back over and over again.

Paris, where it all began. A bag bought with intention and a legacy waiting to unfold.

Our tale begins in Paris, where this classic Chanel Classic Flap Bag was first purchased at a boutique near Rue Cambon, Coco Chanel’s original flagship address. Crafted with meticulous care, timeless quilted leather, and the iconic interlocking CC clasp, this bag was never just a fashion statement. It was a symbol of enduring style and a badge of legacy. Unbeknownst to its first owner, it became a future asset.

Some bags travel by trunk, some by shoulder. The journey is what gives it value.

The original owner is a collector with a passion for heritage pieces. The bag was authenticated through one of our trusted partners at RETRO//VRS. This authentication was the first step in locking the bag’s provenance onto the blockchain, creating a permanent digital certificate that would follow the bag for life.

After several years of cherished use, the original owner decided to resell the bag. The bag was listed directly by the seller with the authentication certificate proudly displayed. When the bag was sold to its second owner, a fashion influencer based in New York, the original seller received their share from the sale, and the bag’s digital provenance was officially locked onto the blockchain. That single step unlocked future royalties. From that moment forward, every resale would continue to pay the original RETRO seller, even after they no longer owned the bag. This is what we mean by resale redefined. 

Katie Holmes in NYC, proving that the Chanel Flap Bag never goes out of rotation.

The New York owner was thrilled, not only for owning a piece of Chanel history but also for the transparent resale journey they inherited. The bag wasn’t just a purchase; it was a living investment. As fashion circles buzzed with admiration for the bag’s storied past, the second owner later resold it through RETRO//VRS’s marketplace. This transaction triggered the first royalty payout. The original owner, who bought the bag at the Chanel boutique in Paris and first listed it on RETRO, received a royalty for that sale. Even though she no longer owned the bag, her role in bringing it on-chain continued to pay off.

In Tokyo, the bag found new life and a new payout chain...on this boutique wall.

The bag next found a new home with a Tokyo-based boutique owner. The blockchain-verified history gave her confidence that she was offering only genuine luxury goods. No guesswork, no re-authentication.  When she sold the bag to an emerging designer in London, the sale triggered a royalty payout distributed across all previous RETRO sellers, the original Parisian collector and the New Yorker who came next. The Tokyo boutique owner received her share from the sale, and joined the royalty chain for any future resales to come. For the London designer, the bag wasn’t just a fashion purchase. It was a piece of living heritage and a chance to own a slice of luxury history with transparent provenance and cultural capital built in.

From Tokyo to London, this Chanel Classic isn’t just seen...it circulates.


This Chanel bag transcended being a simple accessory. It became a cultural artifact, featured in fashion editorials, Instagram posts, and conversations at exclusive events. Its provenance added a layer of story and prestige that no counterfeit could replicate.


Blockchain technology and RETRO//VRS’s royalty system turned this bag into more than a style icon, it became an investment with equity. Every owner wasn’t just a buyer or seller but a shareholder in the bag’s ongoing legacy. The importance of blockchain authentication cannot be overstated. Unlike other platforms where re-authentication is required with every resale, RETRO//VRS locks in authentication once and for all. That’s transparency and trust at a level unmatched in luxury resale.

This iconic Chanel Classic Flap Bag isn’t just a piece of fashion history, but it’s a perfect example of how RETRO//VRS’ lifetime royalties are transforming luxury resale.

From Paris to New York, Tokyo to London, the bag has paid its owners back time and time again. It proves that luxury resale can be profitable, transparent, and empowering.

This Chanel bag didn’t just change hands, it built a legacy. Tracked on-chain and earning royalties with every resale, its story spans Paris to Tokyo. This is what resale equity looks like.

THE BAG THAT PAID ME BACK

In the fast-moving world of fashion, there’s one question savvy buyers always ask: 
What’s the return on investment? 

Sure, designer bags carry clout. At RETRO//VRS, we’re proving that they also carry long-term value.

Let’s quickly review: ROI stands for Return On Investment.

Welcome to the Resale ROI, where data meets desirability. We’re breaking down how verified ownership, cultural cachet, and on-chain receipts drive the price tags behind your favorite It-bags. 

Spoiler: provenance is more than a backstory. It’s your resale power.

Let’s start with the receipts. Below is a snapshot of how select iconic bags perform on the resale market over time.

What changed? It comes down to something so simple...

When a buyer sees blockchain-backed provenance, authenticated condition reports, and past resale records, they don’t hesitate. They bid. Value isn’t in the dust bag, it’s in the data.

At RETRO//VRS, every authenticated bag earns a digital passport, which can include:


Let’s track one bag’s journey to get a better picture

By bringing the bag on-chain in 2021, the seller not only sold it for more. They also kept earning every time it changed hands.

The $2M Sac Bijou Birkin. One of three in the world. Imagine earning $100K every time it resells.

Here’s some helpful tips for sellers to maximize your ROI and boost your price:

Your bag’s not just a fashion statement, it’s an appreciating asset. Discover how proof of ownership and on-chain provenance can turn your favorite It-bag into serious resale ROI.

RESALE ROI

If you’ve ever bought, or dreamt of buying, a luxury bag, you’ve probably asked yourself some version of the same question: “But how do I know it’s real?”

Welcome to the world of provenance. And no, it’s not just an authentication certificate or a fancy buzzword. At RETRO//VRS, it’s the backbone of the luxury resale economy. Provenance is how you buy smarter, sell stronger, and earn longer. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious first-time buyer, this guide breaks down why provenance isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.

In simplest terms: provenance = your bag’s receipt...on steroids. From boutique to runway to resale, it’s a traceable record of ownership and history that proves a bag’s authenticity, value, and journey. Think of it as a passport, logging every stop along the way.

At RETRO//VRS, every bag we list comes with its own on-chain provenance file. That means:

It’s not just “used.” It’s lived. And its story pays off.

Let’s break down exactly why provenance has become the gold standard in modern luxury resale:

Counterfeits today are scary good. Some fakes even come with fake receipts, fake serial numbers, and fake packaging. But what they don’t have? A real, verified resale history. Our blockchain-powered provenance logs the full journey of every bag. No guesses. No gaps.

Provenance isn’t just protection, it’s profit. Bags with logged ownership, authenticated records, and digital certificates resell for higher prices and move faster. That’s because buyers trust the history and are willing to pay for it.

Let’s say you bought a Louis Vuitton Pochette Métis from RETRO//VRS in 2021. You authenticated it, listed it back in 2024. Someone sees it’s been verified twice, maintained, and owned by a known collector. That’s a bag with receipts, and it shows in the resale value.

Some bags don’t just age, they gain status. A Dior Saddle once carried to a Met Gala after-party? A Fendi Baguette from the Carrie Bradshaw era? Those provenance details matter. RETRO//VRS lets those stories live on, adding resale and storytelling value.

Let’s take a look into how RETRO//VRS actually tracks provenance. 

Buying luxury without provenance is like buying art with no signature. Sketchy at best, risky at worst. Provenance doesn’t just help you buy with confidence, but it helps you build a wardrobe that pays you back. We don’t just authenticate bags. We archive stories, document ownership, and build a smarter resale future.

So next time you shop, ask yourself: What does this bag come with? If the answer isn’t a Provenance File, is it really worth your wallet?

Provenance isn’t a buzzword. It’s how you buy smarter, sell stronger, and earn longer in luxury resale. Here's why it matters now more than ever.

THE BAG THAT PAID ME BACK

MOST RECENT

RESALE ROI

WHY PROVENANCE MATTERS