In the ever-changing world of fashion, some designer handbags have defied time. These enduring classics owe their appeal to influential endorsements, timeless designs, and modern updates. What makes them special is their understated elegance, forgoing flashy branding for timeless beauty. These investment-worthy pieces effortlessly complement any outfit, occasion, or style.
CHANEL 2.55 Flap Bag
The Chanel 2.55, an iconic classic, was born in February 1955. Coco Chanel introduced this revolutionary Flap Bag, liberating women from traditional handbags. Crafted from quilted leather inspired by jockeys’ jackets, it boasts a distinctive lock and signature chain strap for a touch of luxury. Karl Lagerfeld, Creative Director since 1983, added the iconic CC logo. In February 2005, Chanel reissued the 1995 classic version to mark the 50th anniversary of this timeless masterpiece.
GUCCI Jackie 1961 Small Shoulder Bag
The Jackie Bag: A Timeless Style Icon. Originally known as the Constance in the 1950s, this classic designer handbag earned its fame in the 1960s when former First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis used it as a shield from paparazzi. Renamed after her in 1961, it became a 1970s fashion staple but disappeared in the 1980s. A revival came in 1999 and 2009 under creative directors Tom Ford and Frida Giannini. In Fall/Winter 2020, Alessandro Michele reintroduced it in various colors and sizes. Celebrities like Harry Styles and Kaia Gerber have recently embraced different versions of the Jackie bag.
PRADA Nylon Backpack
The Prada Nylon Backpack, adored by ’90s supermodels, was a late ’90s and early 2000s fashion staple, introducing an athleisure vibe before it became a trend. Created by Miuccia Prada in 1984, it revolutionized Prada’s use of industrial-weight nylon. While other high-end handbags focused on elegance, this cult item embraced a casual look, often sported by ’90s supermodels. Today, it remains popular for its functional interior and work-appropriate design.
FENDI Baguette
Debuting in 1997, the Fendi Baguette is a brunch essential. Carrie Bradshaw of “Sex and the City” famously cherished it, defending it during a robbery, declaring, “It’s a Baguette.” Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, this compact bag features distinctive curved straps and the iconic logo hardware. Its name is inspired by its perfect arm-hugging size, like a French baguette. This design propelled Fendi to commercial success, with over 1,000 versions of the bag available.
LOUIS VUITTON Speedy
Since its 1930s inception, the Louis Vuitton Speedy, adorned with the iconic monogram print, has redefined everyday style with elegance. Once endorsed by fashion icon Audrey Hepburn, the Speedy 25 became iconic. Originally launched in larger sizes, LV introduced the compact Speedy 25 to meet Hepburn’s preference and consumer demand.
Named for its sleek, portable design, the Speedy’s popularity endures since the 1950s. While the classic Speedy is irreplaceable, it’s now available in various sizes, materials, and colors, remaining one of Louis Vuitton’s most sought-after bags.
HERMÈS Birkin
Inspired by Jane Birkin and introduced in 1984, the Hermès Birkin is now a coveted status symbol. With annual price increases of 14.2%, it has outperformed stocks and gold as an investment. Its limited production and distinctive features like number-coded locks and keys enhance its allure in the fashion world.
Lady Dior by Christian Dior
Originally named ‘Chouchou,’ meaning ‘favorite’ in French, the iconic Dior handbag was presented to Princess Diana in 1995 by the First Lady of France. Adorned with the signature ‘Cannage’ diamond pattern, inspired by Napoleon III’s chairs, this timeless classic was later renamed ‘Lady Dior‘ in tribute to the Princess. It continues to be one of the brand’s most sought-after pieces, with various reinterpretations in diverse sizes, colors, and materials.
LONGCHAMP Le Pliage
Le Pliage, which means ‘folding’ in French, is a chic tote inspired by Origami and created by Philippe Cassegrain, the son of Longchamp’s founder. It offers a range of over 150 prints and colors. The original 1993 design featured Russian leather handles, a nylon canvas body, and an embroidered jockey logo symbolizing a Paris racetrack. With customization options, it has sold over 32 million pieces globally, adored by famous figures like Kate Middleton, Miley Cyrus, and Alexa Chung, as well as for unisex use.
BALENCIAGA Motorcycle
Introduced in 2001, the Balenciaga Motorcycle bag swiftly captured the hearts of influential style icons in the 2000s. Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, it took inspiration from motorcycle jackets, featuring distinctive zip details and studs. Despite the absence of a visible brand logo, it was easily identifiable. A contemporary version, the Le Cagole, is now offered in different colors and sizes.
CELINE Medium Classic Bag
Celine handbags, celebrated for their durability and versatility, are timeless wardrobe staples. The Medium Classic Bag, from the Phoebe Philo era, boasts luxurious calfskin leather and practical zippered compartments, making it a beloved choice for urban women. The jeweled brass clasp showcases Celine’s craftsmanship, establishing it as a top classic designer bag for investment.
The Holy Grail of handbags is the Birkin from HERMÈS. After all, it is worn daily by its namesake and travels everywhere.
What makes Birkin’s HERMÈS Birkin truly exceptional, though, is the condition it’s in—which is to say, not much of a condition at all: Stickers from her adventures are unceremoniously slapped onto the leather; the exterior’s roughed up; talismans hang from the handle.
A Birkin bag is a perfect rain hat; just put everything else in a plastic bag” is only the first.
Birkin, however, has owned only four Birkins since Jean-Louis Dumas named it after her in 1984. (She’s donated the last two to charity auctions as well.) She is a religious wearer—so much so that the bag sometimes serves as an extension of her physical self. One rainy afternoon in Paris, just before hopping in a taxi, Birkin rang up Vogue with her thoughts on her sartorial legacy. “A Birkin bag is a perfect rain hat; just put everything else in a plastic bag” is only the first.
On personalization: “There’s no fun in a bag if it’s not kicked around so that it looks as if the cat’s been sitting on it—and it usually has. The cat may even be in it! I always put on stickers and beads and worry beads. You can get them from Greece, Israel, Palestine—anywhere in the world. I always hang things on my bags because I don’t like them looking like everyone else’s.”
I hate changing bags, so I never have the thing of having ten bags.
On restraint: “I never have more than one bag at a time. I think one is already quite enough. Also, I hate changing bags, so I never have the thing of having ten bags. Any bag with me will take the same course as mine. It will take the same airplanes, be squashed in the same way, and be used as a cushion in the airports.”
On the Birkin she’s carrying now: “It’s black, but it’s not dirty enough, and it hasn’t gotten any stickers on it. It’s rather bumpy than the other one, but the surface will soon get scratched about.”
What she carries in her Birkin: “I’ve got my agenda, my phone, photos of all the children [daughters Kate Barry, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Lou Doillon], and my makeup, which is all upside down. It’s the nice mess that I always like.”
But if people want to go for the real thing, fine. If they go for copies, that’s fine too. I don’t think it matters.”
On the popularity of the Birkin—both real and fake: “It’s very nice that everyone’s got one or wants one. I keep saying to Hermès to make it out of plastic or, even more fun, make it out of cardboard. Then it wouldn’t be so heavy. But if people want to go for the real thing, fine. If they go for copies, that’s fine too. I don’t think it matters.”
On handing them down: “My daughter Lou does not have one. I think it would be a horrible thing to have a Birkin bag from your mother.”
Ah, the dazzling world of luxury fashion! Whereas a tote bag that probably costs $20 to manufacture is retailed for a jaw-dropping $2000. It’s not sorcery. It’s branding.
Let me introduce you to the phenomenon that the fashion and higher education world loves to embrace but rarely admits: the ‘Luxury Artificial Scarcity Economy’.
The scarcer something becomes, the more people want it. It’s basic human psychology mixed with a dose of societal pressure.
Professor Scott Galloway has expertly summarized this. He put it succinctly for the uninitiated: “The strongest brands in the world aren’t APPLE or NIKE… They’re MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.” No, he’s not comparing the quality of a tote bag to a college degree (or is he?). He’s talking about exclusivity. The scarcer something becomes, the more people want it. It’s basic human psychology mixed with a dose of societal pressure.
Now, let’s dive into the delightful world of LOUIS VUITTON. The brand’s Neverfull Tote Bag, made of that glorious coated canvas, or PU for those who like to keep things real, was once widely available for all those willing to part with a couple of grand. But oh no! Rumors began to swirl. Is this iconic bag, essentially a luxurious potato sack, being discontinued?
LOUIS VUITTON Neverfull
Instead, LOUIS VUITTON, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that its Neverfull tote bag should be… waitlisted.
Megs Mahoney Dusil from The Purse Blog tells us not to panic. The Neverfull isn’t being consigned to the fashion archives. Instead, LOUIS VUITTON, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that its Neverfull tote bag should be… waitlisted. Yes, you read that right. After a compelling 2-3 months of suspense, you’ll be granted the privilege of parting with $2000, but there’s a catch. You have 24 hours to claim your bag or risk it being passed on to the next eager person on the list. The thrill of the chase!
The man has amassed wealth greater than the GDP of many nations, not by reinventing the wheel but by creating desire.
This move, it seems, is all about maintaining exclusivity, ensuring that the brand remains as “coveted” as ever. As Dusil writes, “Part of exclusivity is the notion of scarcity.” Bernard Arnault certainly understands that. After all, as Galloway highlighted, the man has amassed wealth greater than the GDP of many nations, not by reinventing the wheel but by creating desire. You don’t just want the bag; you want the status that comes with it.
After all, it’s no longer about having a quality product; it’s about having a product that others can’t easily get.
In a twist that would make even the most seasoned marketer salivate, Louis Vuitton’s play here is genius. Not only are they increasing demand through artificial scarcity, but they’re also maintaining their image as an exclusive brand. After all, it’s no longer about having a quality product; it’s about having a product that others can’t easily get.
And let’s be real. It’s not just the high fashion world that’s adopting this model. The artificial scarcity economy is booming, from Ivy League universities to tech giants. The end goal? Make people feel like they’re part of an elite club, drive up demand, increase prices, and let the profits roll in.
So the next time you find yourself yearning for that exclusive tote bag or prestigious college degree, remember it’s not just about the product. It’s about the game. And oh, what a ludicrous game it is!
10 reasons why you should get the new CHANEL 19 flap bag.
If there’s just one bag that you would have to get from CHANEL’s current collection, it should be the high-quality CHANEL 19. Its charm and appeal lie in the fact that the bag embodies the very essence of the French luxury house and all its codes, but with a contemporary twist that makes it a modern-day favorite, one’s that perfect for the woman of today.
01 – The 19 Bag was created by Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard, and besides being in the current F/W19 collection, more variations of it will be launched in the upcoming Cruise 2020 collection as well.
02 – Not only is 19 an important number for Chanel (it’s the birth date of the founder, after all), it marks the year (2019) which the bag was introduced. Another bag that was named after the same year it was launched? The now iconic 2.55 Bag that was launched in February 1955 by Gabrielle Chanel herself.
03 – You will spot all the beloved house codes in one single bag, only this time it has been given the XL treatment. This is evident in the oversized CC clasp, enlarged quilting pattern and long (and so thick) chainlink straps that come in a trio of finishes from aged gold to ruthenium to silver.
04 – Spotted an extra curb chain sitting directly above the top flap? Well, that’s meant for you to carry the 19 Bag like a chic top handle handbag.
05 – You could carry it in one of many ways. From carrying the bag under the arm like an oversized clutch, or by slinging the leather-interlaced metallic chain over the shoulder or across the body.
06 – The bag is rendered in ultra-supple materials like soft goatskin/lambskin or wool tweed, which intentionally gives it a relaxed silhouette that’s quite different from the other bag icons within Chanel.
07 – For now, colours for the new bag include classic Chanel shades of Beige, Black and White, along with seasonal hues of Dark Pink, Deep Red, Green and Turquoise crafted in soft supple leather.
08 – Available in 3 sizes for now, it comes in ‘Regular’, Large and Maxi, along with a belt bag version that’s meant to be worn casually around the waist.
09 – Need the exact measurements? Well, the Chanel 19 Maxi Flap comes in at 36 cm by 24 cm by 11 cm, while the Chanel 19 Large Flap is 30 cm by 20 cm by 10 cm. The ‘baby’ of the family? The Chanel 19 ‘Regular’ Flap measures some 26 cm by 16 cm by 9 cm,
10 – How much? If you buy our authentic quality replicas you save up to 90% off retail.
