There’s a certain thrill in tracking down the hard-to-come-by. The piece no one else can get their hands on. For Madeline Mance, founder of RE SOURCE AU, that thrill turned into a business—one that now spans continents, cult-favourite handbags, and a loyal clientele that knows where to go when “sold out” just won’t do.

“To be honest, it wasn’t some big, dramatic moment that sparked it all,” Maddie reveals. “What really pushed me to start was hearing from so many friends that I had a real knack for tracking down sold-out items. Like, a sixth sense of finding things.” A few fashion sleuthing wins later, Maddie thought, “why not see where this could go?”

Spoiler: it went far.

What began as a side hustle in 2023—launched six weeks before her wedding, while working as a retail buyer, planning a honeymoon, moving house and buying a new home—has grown into a globally connected sourcing powerhouse. “I thrive in chaos,” Maddie laughs. “It’s just how I operate—I feel most fulfilled when I’ve got a million things going on.”

Behind the scenes at RE SOURCE AU, the sourcing process is fast, personal, and impressively global. “Once someone sends us a request—usually through Instagram DMs—we share it with our amazing team of dedicated shoppers who immediately begin the sourcing process.” Maddie explains.

From Sydney to destinations across the globe, RE SOURCE AU taps into a worldwide network to hunt down elusive designer heels, handbags, and jewellery. Sometimes, it’s an instant win. Other times, the hunt takes a little longer—up to a couple of weeks—depending on how rare the piece is.

When it comes to client demand, one brand reigns supreme: Chanel. With stock notoriously scarce in Australia, the current holy grail is the Chanel 25—a piece so sought-after it accounts for nearly 70% of RE SOURCE AU’s weekly requests. “It’s hands-down the hardest piece to secure locally,” Maddie shares, “but that’s exactly why our clients come to us.”

Yet among the classic icons, one unexpected favourite has taken on a cult following: the multicoloured Miu Miu crochet pouch. Maddie recalls sourcing over 20 of them just last year—and with another 10 about to be shipped out, the obsession shows no signs of slowing. “I’ve never seen people flock to a bag like this in my entire career,” she says. “They truly can’t get enough.”

Despite the price nearly doubling over the past year, the frenzy hasn’t faded. If anything, it’s only added to the allure. The rainbow Miu Miu pouch has become Maddie’s most intriguing pursuit to date—a global treasure hunt that eventually led her to uncover the coveted crochet gems in boutiques nestled in hidden corners of the South of France.

“I just kept saying, No—I’ll find it. It’s out there somewhere. It has to be.” It’s a quiet conviction that defines Maddie’s entire ethos: equal parts determination and instinct. If it exists in the world, she’ll find it.

But beyond desirable bags and final-sale finds, there’s something deeper at play. “Luxury, to me, isn’t about the price tag—it’s about the experience,” Maddie reflects. “It’s that one-of-a-kind feeling, knowing the piece you own has a story. And when someone trusts us with their hard-earned money to make that happen, it means everything.”

For Maddie, the true joy of RE SOURCE AU isn’t just in the search—it’s the happiness she brings to her clients. “Being part of those special, once-in-a-lifetime moments is such an honour,” she says. One that stands out: a husband who came to her in search of a Mini Kelly as a wedding day gift for his bride. Against the clock, Maddie delivered—and the look on the client's face when the bag arrived was unforgettable. “It’s more than a transaction,” she reflects. “It’s being part of someone’s story.”

RE SOURCE AU carves out its niche in the crowded luxury fashion space with two defining pillars: transparency and flexibility. “Because we operate on a final-sale basis, we’ve created a unique marketplace where clients can resell their luxury pieces if they have a change of heart,” Maddie explains. “It offers peace of mind—you're never locked into a purchase.” More than just a point of difference in a competitive industry, Maddie sees this as a personal mission: to give clients real flexibility and confidence in every transaction.

What’s more, RE SOURCE AU is proudly upfront about the sourcing process. “We split every invoice—one part to the seller, the other is our sourcing fee—so you always know where your money is going,” she adds. “I want our clients to feel fully informed and involved, every step of the way.”

@amelialiana wearing the Miu Miu Wander Shearling Hobo Bag sourced by RE SOURCE AU

Looking ahead, RE SOURCE AU is stepping confidently into its next chapter. A new Shopify site, gift cards, a preloved store, and—most excitingly—a soon-to-launch marketplace and app that will allow users to manage listings end-to-end.

“We’re building something that streamlines the entire process for both buyers and sellers. And eventually, we’re going global—expanding further into the U.S. and Europe, with a growing team to match,” Maddie reveals.

And at the heart of it all? “We just want to keep doing what we love—sourcing those incredibly special, sold-out pieces that bring so much joy to our clients.”

In a closet crowded with carbon copies and trend-chasing throwaways, RE SOURCE AU reclaims fashion’s soul—where every piece has meaning, craftsmanship carries weight, and every find is a chapter in someone’s personal style narrative. So, if you ever need that one piece no one else can get—you’ll know who to call.