A mum-of-two was left stunned while browsing her local charity shop after finding a designer dress priced at just £12 that was worth significantly more.
Ruth Kornatz, a keen charity shop shopper since childhood, spotted the bright orange dress covered in butterfly detailing at her local Goodwill. The store allows shoppers to browse rails before they are moved to designated sections, giving customers first pick of new donations.
A Designer Discovery
Ruth initially thought the dress might be a costume and imagined her daughter wearing it, but she soon recognised the label as Carolina Herrera, a legendary Venezuelan-American fashion designer. A quick Google search revealed the dress was an authentic piece from the luxury designer's 2025 Resort collection, originally retailing for $4,900 (£3,800).
Ruth had been asked to pay just $14.99 (£12). She told Newsweek: "I thought it was a costume at first and immediately thought of my daughter." She added: "I recognised the designer's name right away and did a quick Google search, not expecting it to be one of her couture pieces."
Disbelief and Dilemma
The discovery left Ruth in disbelief, particularly because the dress was not an older vintage piece. She said: "This dress retailed for $4,900 when it was new, and my sticker price was $14.99, so you can imagine."
Ruth now faces a dilemma: she could sell the dress for a significant profit, have it altered to fit her better, or keep it to pass down to her daughter. For now, she is enjoying the find, saying: "It just feels incredibly special to have. The little girl in me is beaming with excitement."
