The RealReal

Request correction

Corporate brand

Unclaimed Read 4× by AI crawlers

A United States-based online marketplace and consignment service for authenticated pre-owned luxury goods.

Last updated August 21, 2026

AI crawler reads

4requests

1companies

Anthropic4

Profile: 2
Controversies: 2
JSON · MD: 0

First read: Nov 4, 2026
Latest read: Nov 4, 2026

From this site's server log

Overview

The RealReal is a United States-based luxury resale marketplace founded in 2011 by e-commerce entrepreneur Julie Wainwright. The company enables consumers to consign and purchase pre-owned luxury fashion, accessories, jewelry, watches, and selected home and lifestyle goods. Unlike a conventional peer-to-peer marketplace, The RealReal takes operational responsibility for much of the resale process: it receives or collects merchandise, evaluates and authenticates items, determines pricing, photographs and describes products, lists them for sale, processes payments, arranges fulfillment, and provides customer service. The company’s central proposition is trust in the secondary luxury market. Its model combines human review by luxury specialists with data-driven pricing and authentication technology. Sellers can use in-home collection, drop-off appointments at company locations, meetings with luxury experts, or direct shipping. Buyers access inventory through the company’s website, mobile commerce experience, and physical retail and consignment locations. The platform’s categories include handbags, apparel, shoes, jewelry, watches, and other luxury accessories, with inventory generally sourced from individual consignors rather than from traditional wholesale purchasing. The RealReal expanded its physical presence during the late 2010s, opening its first permanent retail store in New York City in 2017 and later operating luxury consignment offices and customer-facing locations in several United States markets. These locations support intake, valuation, clienteling, and, in some cases, in-person shopping. The company has positioned resale as both a commercial opportunity and a form of fashion-industry circularity, arguing that extending the useful life of luxury goods can reduce demand for newly manufactured products and keep existing items in circulation. The business attracted substantial venture funding before entering the public markets. It submitted a preliminary registration statement in May 2019 and completed its Nasdaq initial public offering on June 28, 2019, under the symbol REAL. Its public-company history has included changes in executive leadership, scrutiny concerning authentication and product descriptions, and the challenge of balancing rapid inventory processing with quality control. In 2022, founder and chief executive Julie Wainwright left the CEO role. Rati Sahi Levesque and Robert Julian initially served as interim co-chief executives, followed by the appointment of John E. Koryl as CEO in January 2023. In October 2024, the company announced Levesque as CEO. The RealReal has reported a large and growing member and transaction base. Reference material states that it had more than 38 million members and had sold nearly 40 million items by September 30, 2023. The company has also promoted sustainability initiatives, including National Consignment Day, a resale-impact calculator, and a partnership with Stella McCartney. At the same time, lawsuits and media reports have alleged that counterfeit or incorrectly described items passed through its authentication system. The company has denied that its process is inadequately rigorous and has described its controls as among the strongest in the marketplace. Its current identity therefore rests on the combination of authenticated luxury resale, managed consignment services, technology-assisted operations, physical client services, and a sustainability narrative, while its principal reputational risk remains maintaining buyer confidence in authenticity and accuracy.

History

The RealReal was established in 2011 by Julie Wainwright, an e-commerce entrepreneur who sought to organize the fragmented market for pre-owned luxury goods around a managed, trust-oriented consignment model. Rather than simply connecting an individual seller with an individual buyer, the company developed a centralized service intended to handle intake, authentication, pricing, merchandising, fulfillment, payment, and support. This structure made the platform more operationally intensive than a basic marketplace but allowed it to present itself as a specialist luxury retailer with controls over the customer experience. The company raised significant venture capital during its early expansion. By July 2018, reported venture funding had reached $288 million. During this period, The RealReal broadened its inventory categories and developed both digital and physical channels. Its first permanent retail store opened in New York City in 2017. Later locations and luxury consignment offices provided spaces where customers could consign merchandise, meet valuation specialists, and, at selected sites, shop inventory in person. The company’s intake network included in-home collection, appointments, expert meetings, boutique drop-offs, and direct shipping. A major turning point came in 2019. The RealReal filed a preliminary public-registration document on May 31 and completed its Nasdaq initial public offering on June 28 under the ticker REAL. The offering raised approximately $300 million. Becoming a public company increased the visibility of its growth model and its claims concerning authentication, inventory scale, and the environmental benefits of resale, while also increasing scrutiny of operating practices and public disclosures. Authentication became the company’s most important reputational issue. Chanel sued in 2018, alleging that counterfeit Chanel goods had been sold on the platform and that consumers could be misled about a relationship between the brands. Subsequent media reporting described additional alleged counterfeit products, including merchandise represented as Christian Dior items. The RealReal refunded at least some disputed purchases and stated that it maintained a rigorous authentication process, later emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence alongside human review. The company has also said that it alerts law enforcement about counterfeit goods and may return unintentionally submitted counterfeit items to consignors, while retaining or destroying other items for training or enforcement purposes. In early 2020, an investor-related class action alleged that public statements about authentication were misleading and that insufficient training and productivity quotas could increase the risk of counterfeit or incorrectly labeled goods being accepted. These allegations formed a continuing challenge to the company’s central promise of trust, although allegations in litigation should not be treated as established findings without a definitive source. Leadership changed substantially after the IPO period. Wainwright stepped down as CEO in June 2022. President and Chief Operating Officer Rati Sahi Levesque and Chief Financial Officer Robert Julian served as interim co-CEOs. In January 2023, John E. Koryl became CEO and joined the board. In October 2024, The RealReal announced Levesque as CEO, returning a co-founder and early employee to the top operating role. The company has also built its brand around circularity and sustainability. It has promoted the continued use of existing luxury products, established National Consignment Day, introduced a sustainability calculator with environmental consulting firm Shift Advantage, and announced a partnership with Stella McCartney in 2017 that launched in 2018. Reference material states that the platform had more than 38 million members and had sold nearly 40 million items by September 30, 2023. At the end of 2024, the company announced full-year profitability. Its history therefore combines marketplace innovation, retail expansion, public-market development, leadership succession, sustainability advocacy, and repeated pressure to demonstrate that its authentication and operational systems match the scale of its inventory.

2024
Rati Sahi Levesque becomes CEO
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
The company announces Levesque, a co-founder and early employee, as chief executive.
2023
John E. Koryl becomes CEO
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
The company appoints John E. Koryl as chief executive and board member.
2022
Founder leaves CEO role
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
Julie Wainwright steps down, and Rati Sahi Levesque and Robert Julian become interim co-CEOs.
2019
Nasdaq initial public offering
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
The RealReal begins trading under REAL and raises approximately $300 million in its IPO.
2018
Venture funding reaches reported $288 million
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
Reported venture capital raised by the company reaches $288 million by July.
2017
First permanent retail store opens
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
The company opens its first permanent store in New York City, beginning a broader physical retail and consignment-office strategy.
2011
The RealReal is founded
[1]The RealRealen.wikipedia.org
Julie Wainwright establishes The RealReal as an online luxury consignment marketplace.

Products and positioning

Technology-enabled, authenticated luxury consignment and resale with an emphasis on trust, convenience, and fashion circularity.

Marketplace service · 2011
Luxury consignment marketplace
The core platform lets consumers browse and purchase pre-owned luxury merchandise while consignors submit goods for sale. The RealReal manages much of the transaction, including intake, authentication, merchandising, fulfillment, payments, and customer support.
Luxury accessories · 2011
Handbags and accessories
The marketplace carries pre-owned designer handbags and related accessories, one of its most recognizable inventory categories. Items are presented with brand, condition, imagery, and pricing information intended to support resale decisions.
Fashion · 2011
Designer apparel and shoes
The RealReal resells pre-owned luxury clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories. Inventory is sourced through consignors and varies by season, brand, condition, and available supply.
Luxury goods · 2011
Jewelry and watches
Jewelry and luxury watches form another important category, with the platform applying specialist review and product-description processes before listing eligible items.

Controversies

2021
Further reporting on alleged counterfeit Dior sneakers
Media reporting described a customer’s allegedly counterfeit Dior sneakers. The RealReal refunded the customer and said it had a rigorous authentication system incorporating artificial intelligence.
Source
2020
Investor class action over authentication disclosures
A class action alleged that the company made misleading statements to investors regarding authenticator training, quotas, and the risk of counterfeit or mislabeled items.
Source
2019
Media reports of alleged counterfeit goods
Forbes reporting described a purportedly counterfeit Christian Dior bag purchased through the platform and raised questions about how authentication work was performed at scale.
Source
2018
Chanel counterfeit and affiliation lawsuit
Chanel alleged that The RealReal offered counterfeit Chanel merchandise and misled consumers about a possible affiliation between the companies.
Source

2025Resale Report: Circularity
United States
The RealReal launched its first Resale Report: Circularity during Earth Month, presenting resale as part of a more circular fashion system.
Source
2017Stella McCartney sustainability partnership
United States
The RealReal announced a sustainability partnership with Stella McCartney focused on encouraging luxury resale.
Outcome. The partnership launched in 2018 and connected the resale platform with a major luxury fashion sustainability initiative.
Source
2017Sustainability calculator
United States
For National Consignment Day, the company introduced a calculator developed with Shift Advantage to estimate environmental effects associated with consigning goods.
Outcome. The tool supported the company’s effort to quantify and communicate the circularity rationale for resale.
Source
2016National Consignment Day
United States
The RealReal established the first Monday in October as National Consignment Day to promote consignment and the continued use of existing products.
Outcome. The observance became an annual brand platform for promoting luxury resale and circularity.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Return of co-founder Rati Sahi Levesque as CEOStrategy
Background
The company continued its executive transition following the departure of founder Julie Wainwright and the tenure of John E. Koryl.
Action taken
The RealReal appointed Rati Sahi Levesque, its second employee and a co-founder, as CEO.
Aftermath
The company subsequently announced full-year profitability at the end of 2024.
Source
2022
Leadership transition after founder departureStrategy
Background
The company changed its leadership structure after Julie Wainwright stepped down as CEO.
Action taken
Rati Sahi Levesque and Robert Julian were appointed interim co-CEOs.
Aftermath
The interim arrangement preceded the appointment of John E. Koryl as CEO in 2023 and Levesque’s return as CEO in 2024.
Source
2019
Pursuit of public-market financingStrategy
Background
After years of venture-backed expansion, The RealReal sought access to public capital and greater market visibility.
Action taken
The company filed for an IPO and listed on Nasdaq under REAL.
Aftermath
The offering raised approximately $300 million and subjected the business model and authentication claims to public-company scrutiny.
IPO proceeds. $300 million (June 28, 2019)
Source

Recent events

2021.04.01
Reported2021.04.01
Fashion brands contribute damaged goods to The RealReal’s Re-Collection project[3]时尚品牌向The RealReal的Re-Collection项目捐赠瑕疵商品papermag.com
A-COLD-WALL, Balenciaga, Jacquemus, Stella McCartney, Dries van Noten, Simone Rocha, Zero + Maria Cornejo and Ulla Johnson donated damaged and defective items to The RealReal for its Re-Collection upcycling project. Ateliers & Repairs carried out the upcycling, and the resulting collection comprises more than 50 pieces.
2021.03.05
Reported2021.03.12
The RealReal opens Greenwich Avenue store[4]The RealReal 开设 Greenwich Avenue 门店patch.com
The RealReal opened a new store at 256 Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich on March 5, 2021.
Unconfirmed
Reported2020.08.04
The RealReal adds two women to its board[5]The RealReal新增两名女性董事finance.yahoo.com
The RealReal added two women to its board of directors, bringing the board to 50 percent women and 50 percent men.
2020.06.22
Reported2020.06.22
Hulu unveils GatewayGo interactive ad format[6]Hulu推出GatewayGo互动广告形式tubefilter.com
Hulu unveiled GatewayGo, an interactive ad format that lets viewers seek more information from an ad by scanning QR codes or signing up for push notifications. The first advertisers named were SmileDirectClub, The RealReal and Sweetgreen.
Unconfirmed
Reported2019.10.08
Burberry and The RealReal partner to promote circular fashion[7]Burberry与The RealReal合作推广循环时尚insideretail.asia
Burberry collaborated with The RealReal, an authenticated luxury consignment marketplace, to promote circular fashion by encouraging customers to resell unwanted branded items.

Sources9 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/the-realreal · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled