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Papped on the arms of It-girls, splashed across the pages of glossy magazines and lusted-after by teenage girls – no I’m not talking about a Hollywood heartthrob, rather the (not so humble) designer bag.
Whether it’s the Fendi Baguette or the Hermès Kelly, the designer bag hall of fame is lined with icons, some named after the glamorous women who carried them and others instantly recognisable by their silhouette alone. But, what is notable about the new pieces being added to the line-up is that they are being sourced from the archive – think Gucci’s horsebit baguette or Prada’s re-issue nylon collection. And, unsurprisingly, this is driving-up interest in the vintage originals.
With new (and immaculately curated) resale platforms opening every day and designer brands limiting releases of new models, the demand for pre-loved designer bags has never been greater – or more accessible. Sellier Knightsbridge, the number one reseller of Hermès in the UK, has seen bags selling out within days due to the scarcity of new styles. The most expensive ever sold was a diamond Hermes Birkin for £68,000. Evidently, the designer bag resale market is booming at both ends of the spectrum.
“Today it is timeless and recognisable bags that consumers want to keep. For example the Lady Dior, the Hermès Kelly and the Gucci Jackie are all hero bags that have stood the test of time and remain iconic over the years”, reports resale platform, Vestiaire Collective.
The Gucci Horsebit
“Tom Ford for Gucci has always been a fashion collector’s dream, but when the brand’s Y2K horsebit bag was re-issued on the autumn/winter 2023 catwalk, it was only a matter of time before the vintage OGs spiked on resale sites. It’s time to set those…
