Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Holding Value: Inspired by The V&A’s New Exhibition, These Are the Bags To Invest In Now

Holding Value: Inspired by The V&A’s New Exhibition, These Are the Bags To Invest In Now

Over the weekend, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London officially opened its doors after months of lockdown during the pandemic.

Saturday saw visitors returning to the cultural institution and the debut of a brand new exhibition titled “Bags: Inside Out,” which highlights iconic bags throughout history, ranging from Margaret Thatcher’s favorite lady-like tote from Asprey to the sparkly Fendi baguette made real-life famous when it appeared on the arm of the fictional character, Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City. And while this exhibition was originally slated for April, it’s hard to imagine a more apt time than now to bring the bag to the center of the fashion discussion.

As Vogue’s Accessories Director, fashion fans both inside and outside of the industry have often asked me about the It-bag: do I believe in it? What is “It”? Is the It-bag over, and if so, why? Could this bag be an It-bag? Their curiosity makes sense. The phenomenon of the It-bag has proven to be big business for major fashion houses over the years, but as an editor, I’ve watched the industry move away from the must-own bag and instead gravitate towards the cult of the personality purse.

The constraints of the pandemic have given us few reasons to carry a handbag outside of pure utilitarianism. We carry our reusable totes for groceries or a wallet-like-bag that attaches to keys or holds hand sanitizer. Carrying a proper purse, whether it be for a quick walk around the block or even just around your own house, is purely for the pleasure of doing so. A bag for the bag’s sake. Now, more than ever, owning handbags is about a personal and emotional connection, as well investment. I know if I’m going to buy a bag in 2020 or 2021, it needs to be something that, quite literally, holds its value in addition to putting a smile on my face.

This idea of value is at the core of the V&A’s new exhibit, which serves to show off just how long the lifespan of a good handbag can be. The show not only focuses on some of the designer bags we know to be heritage pieces, like Hermès’ infamous Kelly top handle but also more modern options, like Anya Hindmarch’s incredibly clever and sustainable “I Am Not A Plastic Bag” tote or Manu Atelier’s Pristine style that shows the exemplary craftsmanship of a family-owned leather artisan workshop, sans a price tag that brings up thoughts of mid-sized cars or tuition payments.

Outside of the personal connection I find that this exhibit perfectly encapsulates by bringing not only the bag but the wearer to the forefront, the timeliness of the show and the handbags it spotlights is very much in line with where the market is now. From conversations with some of our favorite multi-brand retailers, we are hearing of steady and increasing handbags sales. Across the board, the market trends speak to the consumer’s desire to invest in beautiful bags that will stand the test of time much in the way that the bags do now in the V&A’s display cases.

Getting into the facts and figures, Libby Page, Senior Fashion Market Editor at Net-a-Porter, tells us, “luxury bags have been one of our strongest categories recently as customers used this time to finally invest in their forever bag.” She adds, “we saw huge interest with Bottega Veneta, Gucci, and Saint Laurent, and, just in the last few months, we sold over triple of the Loewe Puzzle versus last year.” Finding a brand that a customer has an emotional and potentially lifelong relationship with is also in line with what Tracy Margolies, Chief Merchant of Saks Fifth Avenue, is seeing. As she notes, “our customers connected to brands they know and love more than ever this year. They were drawn to emotional, timeless investment pieces that sparked joy by designers, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Saint Laurent and Fendi.” Similarly, Cassie Smart, head of womenswear at MATCHESFASHION, tells us, “we have seen a real uplift in customers making more considered handbag purchases, meaning pieces that are timeless, will work hard in your wardrobe, and that you will treasure forever.” She adds, “whether heritage styles from the big fashion houses like the Gucci 1955 Horsebit, Bottega Veneta Chain Cassette or Saint Laurent Loulou, or more emerging names with an original point of view, for example the Dragon Diffusion Totes which have been selling out.”

Handbags are certainly big business, but the business of buying them is done with as much head as heart. As the V&A exhibit proves, there are few things more precious than a well-made and well-worn tote or top handle, and few fashion items that will feel as special for years to come.

Below, 17 timeless bags to invest in now and love forever:

Worth the waitlist:


        

Bottega Veneta Jodie mini knotted intrecciato leather tote

Best in craft and value:


        

Coach Swinger bag

A+ book bag:


        

Dior book tote

The perfect pouch:


        

Loewe Flamenco leather clutch

The new carry-all on the block:


        

Hunting Season hobo bag

The 2-in-1:


        

Polo Ralph Lauren Bellport tote

Sustainable reinvention:


        

Prada medium Re-Nylon backpack

Evening standard:


        

The Row Ascot bag

Upgraded utility:


        

Paravel Cabana tote

A logo classic:


        

Gucci Jackie 1961 small hobo bag

Forever and for always tote:


        

Dragon Diffusion Triple Jump large woven-leather basket bag

The chain bag with that je ne sais quoi:


        

Saint Laurent Tuc leather shoulder bag

The modern lady:


        

Delvaux leahter satchel

Ticking all the boxes:


        

Manu Atelier Pristine bpx bag

I’m not a plastic bag:


        

Anya Hindmarch I Am A Plastic Bag small appliquéd leather-trimmed printed coated-canvas tote

The hero bag:


        

Hermes Kelly

It’s a party wherever you are:


        

Fendi sequin mini Baguette

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
×