Handbags & Luggage

The vintage trend

The fashion world is witnessing a phenomenon that is part of the new habits of our buyers. The trend is towards vintage, and fashion enthusiasts are choosing pieces that are unique enough to stand out and recognisable enough to be in tune with the times.

Nowadays, many designers are unabashedly inspired by the past and say so. They bring back to the taste of the day shapes and materials that were considered “dated”. The second-hand market in vintage fashion is doing wonderfully well.

The major names in leather goods and luggage

As with Fine Jewellery, France is also internationally recognised as a mecca for fashion. The excellence and know-how of the leather goods and luggage craftsmen make the pieces that leave their factories precious and desirable.

Handbags, trunks, large travel bags, luggage and wallets, when signed by great names such as Goyard, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gucci, Fendi, Chloé, Céline, Yves Saint Laurent, Burberry, Prada and Hermès, attract many enthusiasts.

Iconic designs

Iconic bag models are timeless, recognisable by their designs and reminding wearers that they share the tastes of the stars for whom they were designed.

Among them are the Birkin and Kelly bags by Hermès, two of the most popular French luxury leather goods. Available in leather, canvas, exotic skins… They are now produced only on demand and the wait for orders for new models takes years. This is reason enough to justify the soaring prices at auction.

Others are more attracted by the quilting of the 2.55, otherwise known as the Chanel Timeless, which is also a great classic of leather goods. Designed in February 1955, which gave it its name “2.55”, it has since been part of all the collections of the house on rue Cambon, in tweed and leather of many colours.

The Lady Dior bag, named after Princess Diana who never took it off, is a timeless piece. This rectangular and rigid bag has the four letters D-I-O-R in gold or silver on one of its handles. It is available in several materials and sizes.

Good to know: Our Luggage and Accessories department organizes 2 sales per year, either in Paris or online. The department’s calendar aligns with major Parisian events and fashion shows, such as Paris Fashion Week. The department benefits from the extensive network of buyers across the entire Art de Vivre division, especially from the Jewelry and Collectible Watches departments.

Our specialist is available to provide you with professional appraisals and advice on sales or investment opportunities. Discover our auction calendar and offices.

The auction house boasts a unique communication reach and offers sellers modern, targeted tools for effective international exposure. We pay particular attention to the production of the auction catalog, both in design and content, whether in paper format or fully digital. During our campaigns, we engage buyers from our portfolio across all specialties, as well as potential buyers identified for specific items. We communicate with them through multiple channels, including online and offline advertisements, social media, email marketing, media outlets, influencers, and auction platforms, with high-quality, tailored content such as images, text, and videos