Terms & Conditions

1. About CastaliaLux

CastaliaLux is an independent international gallery specialising in rare, archival and collectible fashion objects. The website castalialux.com is operated by CastaliaLux LLC, FZ, a company registered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Headquartered in Dubai, CastaliaLux maintains an international presence in Hong Kong, London and the United States, serving collectors worldwide.

Registered address:

CastaliaLux LLC, FZ
Meydan Hotel, Ground Floor
Nad Al Sheba
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

References in these Terms to “CastaliaLux”, “we”, “us” or “our” refer to the CastaliaLux business operating the website castalialux.com. References to “you” or “the client” refer to any visitor, registered collector, purchaser or person communicating with CastaliaLux through the website.

Nothing on this website represents an affiliation with, endorsement by, or authorisation from any fashion house, designer or rights holder unless expressly stated.

2. Acceptance of the Terms

By accessing or using the website, you confirm that:

• you have read and understood these Terms;
• you have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement;
• the information you provide is accurate and complete;
• you will use the website only for lawful purposes.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you should not use the website or complete an acquisition.

3. Nature of the Objects

The objects offered by CastaliaLux are predominantly archival, vintage, pre-owned, unworn, privately held or otherwise collectible pieces.

An object may exhibit characteristics consistent with its age, materials, craftsmanship, storage history or previous ownership. Minor variations, natural ageing, patina, softened structure, oxidation, handling traces, storage impressions or other age-related characteristics do not necessarily constitute defects.

Each object is individually described and photographed. Condition statements reflect our professional assessment at the time of examination and are intended to provide a fair and considered account of the object.

4. Object Descriptions and Imagery

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that descriptions, measurements, dates, materials, colours, condition assessments and photographs are accurate.

However:

• colours may appear differently depending on the screen, lighting and device used;
• measurements are approximate unless expressly stated otherwise;
• historical collection attribution and dating may rely on available archives, labels, construction details, runway references, published material and expert assessment;
• minor errors or omissions may occasionally occur.

Editorial, historical or interpretative language used on the website is intended to contextualise an object and does not constitute a separate commercial guarantee.

Where a material fact is uncertain, we may use qualifying language such as “attributed to”, “believed to be”, “circa”, “appears to”, or “consistent with”.

5. Availability and Unique Objects

Many objects offered through CastaliaLux are unique and available in a quantity of one.

Placing an object in the Acquisition bag, saving it to an Assemblage, or submitting an enquiry does not reserve the object.

An acquisition is confirmed only after:

• the full payment has been successfully received;
• the payment has passed any required security review;
• CastaliaLux has issued an order confirmation.

If the same unique object is requested by more than one client, priority will ordinarily be given to the first successfully completed and verified payment.

We reserve the right to withdraw an object from sale before confirmation of an acquisition.

6. Prices

Prices are displayed in the currency shown on the relevant page.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the displayed price does not include:

• customs duties;
• import taxes;
• local taxes payable at destination;
• brokerage or clearance fees;
• exceptional delivery charges requested by the client.

Objects fulfilled within the United States, United Kingdom or European Union may be identified as available for delivery within that region without import duties. The exact treatment depends on the stated fulfilment location of the individual object and the destination address.

For other destinations, duties, taxes or import charges may be imposed by the destination jurisdiction. These charges are the responsibility of the recipient.

7. Orders and Acquisition Confirmation

Submitting an order constitutes an offer to acquire the selected object.

The automated acknowledgement of an order does not by itself constitute final acceptance. A binding acquisition is formed when CastaliaLux confirms that payment has been accepted and the order has been approved for fulfilment.

We may decline or cancel an order where reasonably necessary, including where:

• the object is no longer available;
• the price or description contains a material error;
• payment cannot be verified;
• suspected fraud or unauthorised activity is detected;
• delivery to the requested destination is not reasonably possible;
• additional identity, billing or compliance information is required and not supplied.

If payment has already been collected for an order that we cannot accept, the amount received will be refunded through the original payment method.

8. Payment

Available payment methods are displayed during checkout.

Payments may be processed by independent payment-service providers. CastaliaLux does not ordinarily receive or store complete payment-card credentials.

You confirm that:

• you are authorised to use the selected payment method;
• the billing information submitted is accurate;
• sufficient funds or credit are available;
• the payment does not violate any applicable law.

Additional verification may be requested for high-value or unusual transactions.

9. Authentication

Every object is examined by CastaliaLux specialists using the methods reasonably appropriate to its category, period and construction.

Our assessment may consider, among other factors:

• labels and production markings;
• materials and construction;
• stitching and finishing;
• hardware and engravings;
• collection references;
• archival imagery;
• specialist knowledge and comparative examination.

Where supplied with an object, a CastaliaLux Certificate of Authenticity records our professional conclusion regarding that object at the time of examination.

The certificate relates to authenticity. It is not a complete record of every previous owner, transaction or movement of the object unless expressly described as such.

No authentication process can eliminate every conceivable uncertainty. Our conclusions are made professionally, carefully and in good faith on the basis of the evidence reasonably available.

10. Lifetime Certificate of Authenticity

Where an object is supplied with a CastaliaLux Lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, the certificate remains associated with that specific object without a fixed expiry date.

The certificate may be issued through a secure digital record intended to preserve its integrity and continuity.

The certificate:

• applies only to the object identified in it;
• must not be copied, altered, detached or used in relation to another object;
• does not guarantee future condition, value, resale price or market demand;
• may be invalidated if the identifying information is materially altered or fraudulently reproduced.

Loss of access to a digital copy does not automatically invalidate the underlying assessment, although identity verification may be required before replacement documentation is considered.

11. Delivery

Delivery options, charges and estimated timeframes are displayed during checkout or communicated directly to the client.

Delivery estimates are provided in good faith but are not guaranteed. Delays may occur because of customs procedures, security inspections, carrier disruption, weather, remote destinations, public holidays or circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

The client is responsible for providing:

• a complete and accurate delivery address;
• a reachable telephone number;
• any information required by the carrier or customs authority;
• timely cooperation with delivery and clearance requests.

We are not responsible for delay or failed delivery caused by incomplete, inaccurate or inaccessible delivery information supplied by the client.

12. Customs and Import Requirements

International shipments may be inspected or delayed by customs or other authorities.

The recipient is responsible for:

• complying with applicable import laws;
• supplying any documentation requested by customs;
• paying duties, taxes or clearance charges where applicable;
• ensuring that the object may lawfully be imported into the destination.

CastaliaLux cannot alter invoices, descriptions or declared values in a misleading or unlawful manner.

If a shipment is refused, abandoned or returned because the recipient does not fulfil import requirements or pay applicable charges, resulting costs may be deducted from any refund permitted under these Terms.

13. Inspection on Delivery

The client should inspect the parcel and object promptly after delivery.

Visible transport damage, a missing object, or a materially incorrect item should be reported through the Contact page as soon as reasonably possible and preferably within 48 hours of delivery.

The report should include:

• the order reference;
• clear photographs of the outer packaging;
• clear photographs of any damage;
• photographs of shipping labels;
• a concise description of the issue.

The client should retain all original packaging while the matter is being reviewed.

14. Returns

Return eligibility depends on the nature of the object, the client’s location, applicable consumer law and the return terms communicated at the time of acquisition.

A return must not be sent without prior written authorisation from CastaliaLux.

To be eligible for an authorised return, the object must ordinarily be:

• in the same condition in which it was delivered;
• unworn and unused after receipt;
• accompanied by all labels, security devices, certificates and documentation;
• packed securely in the original or equivalently protective packaging.

An object may not be eligible for discretionary return where it has been worn, altered, damaged, cleaned, repaired, perfumed, exposed to smoke or otherwise changed after delivery.

Nothing in these Terms excludes any mandatory right that cannot lawfully be excluded under the law applicable to the client.

15. Refunds

Where a return is accepted, the object will be inspected before a refund is approved.

Approved refunds are ordinarily made through the original payment method. Processing time may vary depending on the payment provider and financial institution.

Original delivery charges, return costs, duties, taxes and clearance fees may be non-refundable except where required by applicable law or where the return results from our material error.

16. Risk and Title

Risk of accidental loss or damage passes in accordance with the mandatory law applicable to the transaction and, where that law does not prescribe otherwise, upon confirmed delivery to the client or authorised recipient.

Legal title to an object does not pass until CastaliaLux has received the full cleared payment for the object and any other amount due in connection with the acquisition.

17. Client Accounts

Certain website functions may require a registered account.

You are responsible for:

• maintaining the confidentiality of your sign-in credentials;
• controlling access to your device and email account;
• ensuring that account information remains current;
• notifying us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access.

We may suspend or restrict an account where reasonably necessary to protect the client, CastaliaLux, other users or the integrity of the website.

18. Private Requests and Communications

Information supplied through Private Requests, Contact, WhatsApp, email or other communication channels is used to respond to the request and, where appropriate, to facilitate an acquisition or related service.

A request does not create an obligation for CastaliaLux to locate, reserve, acquire, authenticate or sell a particular object.

Quotations, availability statements and private offers may be time-limited and may be withdrawn before acceptance.

19. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, the website and its original content are owned by or licensed to CastaliaLux.

This includes:

• text and editorial descriptions;
• photography and image compositions;
• graphics and interface elements;
• logos and branding;
• cataloguing structure;
• database arrangement;
• certificate design;
• original research and presentation.

You may view the website for personal, non-commercial purposes.

You must not reproduce, publish, scrape, distribute, commercially exploit, modify or create derivative works from the website content without prior written permission.

Product names, fashion-house names and trademarks belonging to third parties remain the property of their respective owners and are used for identification, description and historical reference.

20. Prohibited Use

You must not:

• use the website for unlawful, fraudulent or deceptive activity;
• attempt to gain unauthorised access to accounts, systems or data;
• interfere with the security or operation of the website;
• introduce malicious code;
• use automated systems to scrape or extract content without permission;
• impersonate another person;
• submit false payment, identity or delivery information;
• reproduce certificates or object documentation fraudulently;
• use the website in a manner that infringes intellectual-property rights.

21. Third-Party Services and Links

The website may rely on or link to third-party services, including payment processors, authentication providers, delivery carriers, analytics providers, social platforms and external websites.

Those services operate under their own terms and privacy practices.

CastaliaLux is not responsible for the independent content, availability, security or practices of third-party websites or services, except to the extent responsibility cannot lawfully be excluded.

22. Website Availability

We aim to maintain secure and reliable access to the website, but uninterrupted or error-free operation cannot be guaranteed.

We may temporarily suspend or restrict parts of the website for:

• maintenance;
• security updates;
• technical changes;
• legal compliance;
• circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

23. Limitation of Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, CastaliaLux is not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or purely economic loss arising from:

• use of or inability to use the website;
• reliance on general editorial or historical content;
• third-party services;
• delays outside our reasonable control;
• unauthorised use caused by the client’s failure to secure account credentials.

Any liability arising directly from an individual acquisition will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be limited to the amount paid to CastaliaLux for the object giving rise to the claim.

24. Force Majeure

CastaliaLux is not responsible for delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, civil disturbance, epidemic, government action, sanctions, transport interruption, customs delay, labour disruption, cyber incidents, utility failure or carrier disruption.

25. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the law applicable to the CastaliaLux contracting entity identified in the client’s order confirmation, subject to any mandatory consumer protections applicable in the client’s place of residence.

Nothing in this clause deprives a consumer of rights that cannot lawfully be waived or restricted.

26. Changes to These Terms

We may revise these Terms to reflect changes in the website, services, business operations or applicable requirements.

The revised version will be published on this page with an updated revision date.

Changes will not retrospectively alter a completed acquisition unless required by law or agreed with the client.

27. Contact

For questions regarding these Terms, an acquisition or the use of the website, please contact CastaliaLux through the Contact page.