Pictured: Josh and Sherry

Let's Talk Sourcing

It's a question we get asked every single day, and my answer on the surface is always the same: we import 95% of our bags from Japan and China through wholesalers and auction houses.

Simple enough, right?

What people don't see is the reality beneath that answer. Two nights ago I was up until 4 a.m. making sure I didn't get outbid on an ostrich Birkin by $4. (I nodded off and still lost lol). Up again at 7 a.m. to clear customs holds and coordinate five-figure shipments before most people have had their coffee. On any given day, I'm talking to my business partner Sherry in Tokyo more than I talk to my own fiancée. If you've ever bought a bag from us — Sherry has touched it. Every single one. She is as essential to 17th St as anyone you've ever seen on our TikTok, IG, or in store, and her team in our Tokyo fulfillment space is a huge reason we've been able to grow the way we have. 

Buying the bags is both the fun part and, honestly, the easy part.

The hard part is everything that comes after. Right now that means fighting tooth and nail to keep shipping and import costs down in the middle of a tariff environment that changes by the week. It means comparing rates between EMS, DHL, FedEx, and UPS on dozens of boxes at a time. One box a week wouldn't move the needle — but when you're moving hundreds of items, the math adds up fast, and the wrong shipping decision can (and has) cost us immensely.

For example: we thought we had a great winter with vintage fur coats. And we did — until I realized the shipping costs had quietly added up to $18,000 more than what we thought over three months. Now we have 200 furs sitting in our 400 square foot studio in Tokyo, waiting to be shipped while we find a smarter way to ship them to the US. At least it’s out of season but sitting inventory is never good. 

That's the honest reality of sourcing at scale. It’s not always glamorous but I’m thankful as hell it’s ours – and I appreciate you following along for it.

More to come — Josh Kilgore

Photos of Josh, Sherry, and Alex sourcing bags in October of 2025. Sherry and her husband show us around Tokyo, Japan, taking us to local restaurants, shops, sights, and more! We love visiting Sherry and her family!