In order for a brand to be considered as high-end and luxury, it needs to meet a few criteria.
Firstly, luxury brands produce the finest products, as reflected not only by the price tag but in the longevity and quality of the design and manufacturing. Often tapping into the specialist skills of expert craftsmen, this translates to long hours of creative design, using the best materials, and relying on techniques that withstand the test of both time and fashion trends.
Another hallmark of a top luxury brand is the prestige surrounding that brand, and the effect its reputation has on the demand for products. All of the top luxury brands benefit from a high level of demand surrounding the release of every collection, creating an air of exclusivity, which makes getting hold of an authentic piece exceptionally special for the buyer.
Finally, the top luxury brands are loved and worn by those with great influence, as part of their everyday style, and on the red carpet and other occasions.
With elements of prestige and design distinguishing luxury brands from the rest of the market, it’s safe to say that falling into the luxury category requires a lot more than just a high price tag. And, in this blog, we’re focussing on the top handbag brands that have made it and retained their position as luxury pieces.
The Main Brands That Are Considered Luxury in the Handbag Market
A luxury handbag can be a classy addition to your wardrobe, a statement piece for an event, or even a tangible and high-value investment asset.
For buyers, whether style-conscious or focused on investment value, a luxury handbag is a timeless purchase that combines the history of the brand with the intricate detail of the piece itself. And, while some brands have made a name for themselves with high-value materials and hardware accessories in the past, one thing that connects all the top luxury brands is the focus on detail and the limited number of bags released across each collection.
So, to the top handbag brands that we consider the pinnacle of luxury – and you won’t be surprised to learn that both are not only big names in the style world but boast their own extensive history.
Chanel and Hermès both owe their status to pioneering designers and to countless collaborations, as well as the exclusive focus on styles that work and that buyers continue to covet decades after their original release.
Why We Love Chanel Bags
First to Chanel, a brand that is shrouded in history, and which was founded by one of the fashion world’s most innovative and revolutionary designers. Coco Chanel is the one who introduced shoulder strap bags and the Little Black Dress to the world, and whose designs have taken the world by storm under her leadership, and subsequently under the helm of Karl Lagerfeld and others.
Chanel handbags retain a sense of Coco Chanel’s own styling approach, with quilted fabrics and the overall shape of the bag remaining relatively unchanged for decades, embracing Lagerfeld’s updates with the C-clasp and collaborative designs.
Chanel garnered further support when it banned the use of exotic animal skins, heralding the importance of sustainable production and an environmentally friendly approach to the industry.
The Timeless Prestige of an Hermès Bag
Like Chanel, Hermès owes much of its status as a top luxury brand to the standard of its bags, as well as its direct connection with a multitude of famous faces. The most famous Hermès bag in the world is the Birkin, which was inspired by actress Jane Birkin, whose own needs culminated in the design and manufacturing of the bag.
Similarly, Hermès has also found fame and generated a huge following for its Kelly collection of bags, which are named after Grace Kelly, who famously used one of the bags to hide her baby bump.
This, combined with the limited supply and the use of exceptionally high-quality craftsmanship and materials, means that Hermès is up there as one of the most notable and expensive bags in the world.
How and Where to Buy Your Own Luxury Handbag
So, how do you buy your own luxury handbag?
One of the difficulties facing both style lovers and investment buyers is the rise in fake and counterfeit goods that surrounds such prominent luxury brands – creating a need to emphasise and focus on the importance of authentication certificates and formal valuations. Luxury brands like Chanel and Hermès have long fallen foul of fake goods producers who sell knock-off versions of the high-end bags for lower prices – undercutting the genuine items, and making it easy for consumers to fake ownership of luxury goods.
As a result, when buying a luxury handbag, it’s important to do so through a reputable reseller who can offer all the right certification, and who has the backing of previous customers and clients that have worked with the seller. For first-time buyers in particular, visiting a professional second-hand seller or reseller is the best way to protect your purchase and enjoy access to a number of pieces that you can choose from to find your perfect match.
Is a Luxury Handbag a Good Investment?
If you’re looking for a tangible investment to put your money into, in the hope of increasing the financial value of that investment over time, then there are a number of reasons why a luxury handbag is a good option.
For one thing, if you buy an authentic piece from one of the aforementioned brands, then you can be sure that the item you buy will remain exclusive and highly coveted as time goes on. Vintage pieces and older models are as sought after as new pieces across the luxury market, with collectors keen to get their hands on a genuine handbag on offer. So, if you ever want to sell your luxury handbag, you can be sure that a reputable reseller or auction will handle it effectively and with the highest returns for you.
Learn more about investing in luxury goods by speaking to an expert at your local luxury goods boutique.
