Handbags & Leather goods

The Fashion Revolution

Over the decades, for more than a century, fashion has left us with unique and singular pieces. Some are true museum specimens, whether the oldest or the most spectacular; others are refined designs sought after by collectors, or vintage creations coveted by individuals wishing to assert an original style and timeless elegance.

After a beginning of the century dominated by Haute Couture, which consecrated our great eternal houses, the mid-20th century in France witnessed the rise of emblematic designer-creators: Yves Saint Laurent, Céline, Courrèges, Cardin, Paco Rabanne, Azzedine Alaïa and his friend Mugler, among others. Elsewhere, fashion was no less vibrant with the emergence of great houses such as Versace, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Dries Van Noten, Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto and Vivienne Westwood.

Today, these unique creations are highly sought after, without overshadowing the timeless classics of these houses. These models, reinvented each season, confirm their place in the Pantheon of Fashion. Iconic pieces are more coveted than ever: the Birkin, Constance or Kelly by Hermès, the Classic and 2.55 by Chanel, Fendi’s Baguettes or Gucci’s Bamboo, to name just a few.

These pieces have never lost their appeal since their creation. Quite the opposite: in the second-hand market, they gain value year after year. As for their modernized versions, they are equally desirable.

From the 20th Century to Our Contemporary Era

Like every other form of artistic expression, fashion is in constant motion. The 21st century is no exception: numerous couturiers and designers – Martin Margiela, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Phoebe Philo, or John Galliano – continue the revolution of fashion, exploring new forms, materials and inspirations to keep surprising and fascinating.

Their luxury ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, and even objects beyond the direct spectrum of fashion are a fertile field of creative exploration for these couturiers, much to the delight of fashion enthusiasts and collectors ready to bet on the relevance and future value of these models.

Our new millennium also confronts us with a major challenge: authenticity. Accessories, leather goods, costume jewelry, and even certain couture or luxury ready-to-wear pieces today require a sharp eye to detect increasingly insidious counterfeits, complicating the resale of these second-hand items. This precious expertise is precisely what Aguttes’ specialists provide.

Paris remains, without question, the capital of Fashion and the cradle of trends that are at once timeless and renewed each season. Moreover, the enthusiasm for vintage luxury is undeniable. For several decades now, the art market has offered a pedestal and remarkable visibility to these pieces, often difficult to find elsewhere. It is therefore only natural that Aguttes’ fashion and leather goods auctions, as a French and independent house, occupy a privileged place among buyers worldwide.

Good to know: our Luggage and Accessories department organizes two sales per year in Paris or online. The department’s calendar follows Parisian events and fashion shows such as Paris Fashion Week. It also benefits from the powerful network of buyers across the entire Art de Vivre division, and in particular the Jewelry and Watches departments.

Our specialist is at your disposal to appraise your pieces and provide you with professional expertise as well as guidance on selling or investing. Discover our auction calendar and our offices.

The house has a unique communication strength, offering sellers modern and targeted tools for effective international outreach. We place particular emphasis on the production of our auction catalogues, both in their design and content, whether in print or fully digital. In our campaigns, we reach out to buyers in our portfolio across all specialties, as well as identified potential buyers. We communicate with them through multiple channels: online and offline advertising, social media, emailings, media, influencers, and auction platforms, supported by adapted, high-quality materials – images, texts, and videos.