These Are The World’s Most Expensive Designer Bags
Shopping in the luxury market isn’t for the faint of heart. While it may seem a frivolous expenditure to many, they are more than just a fashion statement — they’re an investment. Enter, designer handbags!
READ: Tracing The Long-Winded Journey Of The ‘Man Purse’
MORE: The Luxury Bags Favoured By Female Politicians
From the Hermès Birkin to the Lady Dior, these accessories have been a hot commodity for decades. HELLO! brings you the most coveted ones that are exclusive collectible assets.
Valentino Roman Stud
Valentino Roman Stud
If the longevity of Valentino’s signature Rockstuds are anything to go by, the newer, evolved XL Roman Stud is sure to stand the test of time. As the name suggests, the collection looked to the past for inspiration, with the pyramid-shaped studs resembling the front doors of wealthy Roman homes. Be it the top-handle bag, shoulder bag or quilted tote, each variety from the Roman Stud edit — they retail at over $3,550 — is immediately recognisable as a Valentino modern-classic with a visually strong brand DNA, making them among the bags with the highest resale value and therefore, a great investment.
Lady Dior
Lady Dior
As iconic as the princess who catapulted it to cult status, the Lady Dior continues to be one of the luxury label’s most coveted designs. Initially called the Chouchou, Dior baptised the top-handle bag after Princess Diana after it became her favourite arm candy mid 90s. Since then, it’s been reincarnated into a myriad of finishes and sizes, like the Micro Lady Dior Bag, and today, basic iterations range from $3,000 to over $4,000. While classic, medium-sized bags in black, beige and dark blue have the best chance of holding their value, limited-edition ones interpreted by artists like Lee Bul, John Giorno and Spencer Sweeney are rare and valuable, too.
Hermès Birkin
Hermès Birkin
Here’s one that needs no introduction. Both exclusive and elusive, given the years-long waitlist, the Hermès Birkin is the pinnacle of luxury handbags, with a hefty price tag of anywhere between $60,000 and $200,000 — sometimes higher! For instance, the 2010 Matte Himalaya Niloticus crocodile diamond Birkin, with 18-karat white gold and diamond hardware, was auctioned for $379,261 at Christie’s. And the Fuchsia Diamond-Studded Birkin, again with 18-karat white gold hardware, cost $222,000.
Louis Vuitton Neverfull
Louis Vuitton Neverfull
High on fashion and equally practical, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull is a go-to classic and the perfect companion for busy days. Despite being introduced only in 2007, it’s become one of LV’s most successful bags, flaunting the brand’s iconic monogram or chequered print. The tote comes in endless material options, limited editions and special artist collaborations. The best part: it’s worth every penny. From just $645 in 2007, it’s expected to surpass $2,400 by 2025.
Gucci Marmont
Gucci Marmont
With a distinctive ‘70s-inspired GG monogram on the front, the Marmont is a soft, structured and versatile classic that comes in a multitude of colours, shapes and sizes. Its popularity aside, there’s no doubt that the bag — one of Alessandro Michele’s best designs — has climbed the echelons of fashion. Once sold at $1980, the GG Marmont Small Matelassé Shoulder Bag now retails for over $2,500! The super mini version is an especially good bet, given that it comes with a 107 percent average retention value on the resale market.
Prada Cleo
Prada Cleo
Launched as recently as 2020, the Prada Cleo Small Leather Shoulder Bag was an instant hit— especially for those who hold ‘90s minimalism close to their heart. A polished adaptation of the brand’s signature re-issued Nylon Mini Bag, it’s sleek and unencumbered, featuring the signature Prada logo on a rounded construction that gives the hobo bag a light and soft look in a dozen colours. Starting at over $2,050, the Cleo is a classic Prada with staying power and is, no doubt, a smart investment piece that will last in your closet for at least the next two decades.
Fendi Baguette
Fendi Baguette
Debuted in 1997, the Fendi Baguette is now in its third decade of production and boasts around a thousand variations of the design. The newer iterations cost between $3,100 and $9,500, but the older pieces make for even more covetable items. Its iconic status makes it a promising luxury investment — while Fendi bags on average retain 115 percent of their value, the Baguette variant with the label’s Zucca canvas is especially worth the money as it carries 135 percent of its retail value in the resale market. If this doesn’t prompt you to ‘add to cart’ now, we don’t know what will!
Chanel Flap Bag
Chanel Flap Bag
It’s classic, versatile, available in a number of varieties and a truly great investment. To give you an idea of why, the price of a Chanel Medium Classic Flap Bag rose from $1,150 in 1990 to $8,800 in 2021. While there’s some debate around the market prices of pre-loved accessories, a Chanel bag in a well-established style and neutral colour will retain its value for years to come — even more so because these mini single flaps are limited in supply. You can also look at the Classic Flap 2.55 or the Wallet on Chain.
This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in HELLO! India’s December 2022 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!
