I bought a designer bag from Jenna Lyons’ closet sale – I found the real treasure she forgot in the pocket a week later
SCORING a Balenciaga bag once owned by Jenna Lyons for only $150 was just the first lucky moment for one stylish bargain hunter.
Living in New York City, she was able to hit up the Real Housewives star’s closet sale this month — but she didn’t notice the piece of fashion history she’d picked up until a week later.
Former J.Crew president Lyons, 56, hosted a sale of her old clothes and accessories in Manhattan in early June, and fans lined up down the block for a chance to benefit from her impeccable taste.
One of those fans was Janna Kelly (@jannakellyh), who picked up “so many gems” including a Gucci button-down for $80, a sequined J.Crew jacket for $200, and Manolo Blahnik heels.
Among her enviable finds was a Balenciaga bag with a $150 price tag — but Janna didn’t inspect every inch of it at first.
In a viral TikTok video, she revealed what she discovered in an unopened front pocket the following week.
“I bought this original Balenciaga from the Jenna Lyons closet sale last week and I could tell it was her daily driver because it’s quite worn but it’s freaking awesome,” she said.
Janna held up the black leather Balenciaga bag, which featured gold detailing, for her followers to see.
After using the handbag for “a few days,” she investigated the outside pocket.
“I opened this pocket, which I’d never opened, and can we please have a moment for it being filled with stuff?” she said.
Most of the contents appeared to be worthless, including a mechanical pencil, a set of keys, Advil, and a piece of paper with a phone number written on it.
However, one item belonging to Jenna Lyons caught Janna’s attention.
The fashion designer left an old J.Crew ID badge in the pocket of the handbag.
Janna described how she felt “shook” by the accidental discovery.
“I think this needs a frame,” she told her followers.
Viewers encouraged the TikToker to return the ID card to the designer.
However, in a follow-up video, Janna offered up a screenshot of a message she got from Ms. Lyons herself.
The reality TV star reached out to the social media user, thanking her for making the video and laughing about the situation.
“I think it’s safe to say she doesn’t want the ID back, it’s mine, I’m framing it,” Janna said.
HISTORIC FIND
Lyons famously worked for J.Crew from 1990 until 2017, rising from the ranks of assistant designer in menswear at age 21 to president and executive creative director
During her tenure at the company, she became known as the “Woman Who Dresses America.”
TikTok users shared their reactions to the discovery in the comments section.
“The fact that she didn’t even go through the bags she was selling, hahaha, icon,” wrote one viewer.
“That ID card is a piece of history,” pointed out another impressed follower.
“That has to be a really rare Balenciaga. I am somewhat of a Balenciaga motorcycle bag collector and I’ve seen that style maybe once before and only in pictures,” commented a third person.