HANDBAGS

Vintage designer handbags are prized for their enduring style, impeccable craftsmanship, and unique historical narratives, serving as both fashion statements and valuable investments. Classic brands like Chanel, Hermès, and Gucci produced timeless pieces that have maintained their appeal for decades. The Chanel Classic Flap bag, with its signature quilting and interlocking CC lock, and the Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags, known for their scarcity and artisanal quality, are cornerstones of any serious collection. These vintage items, some featuring rare materials or discontinued hardware like 24k gold-plated accents, are highly sought after by collectors not just for their elegance, but as tangible links to fashion history and a sustainable alternative to modern luxury purchases.
Designer bags from the 1990s and 2000s capture a compelling period in fashion history, transitioning from 90s minimalism to the "It Bag" phenomenon of the new millennium. The early part of the era was defined by understated elegance, where brands like Prada gained immense popularity with their minimalist nylon mini bags and backpacks. These pieces, typically in small to standard shoulder bag sizes (around 22cm to 30cm in width), were prized for their utilitarian look, durable industrial fabric, and iconic triangle logo, offering a chic alternative to traditional luxury leather. Similarly, the Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires, a compact and versatile pouch, became a quiet staple in its standard size of approximately 21cm by 13cm, often in the classic monogram canvas. 
The late 1990s and 2000s ushered in the era of high-profile, statement-making "It Bags" that celebrities and fashionistas clamored for. The Fendi Baguette, first launched in 1997, became a cultural icon; designed to be carried snugly under the arm, it broke from minimalism with hundreds of variations and was offered in mini (19cm), standard (27cm), and large (over 28cm) sizes. Close on its heels was the Dior Saddle Bag in 1999, designed by John Galliano, with its distinctive curved, equestrian-inspired shape and short strap that became a symbol of early Y2K glamour. Another major player was the Balenciaga City Bag in 2001, favored for its slouchy, distressed leather, heavy hardware, and "moto" details, typically in a medium size (around 38cm wide) that offered a more relaxed, bohemian contrast to the structured bags of the era. The 2000s also saw logo mania reach its peak with the highly collectible Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami collaboration, which introduced the vibrant Multicolore Monogram canvas on various styles, including the Pochette, pushing designer bags firmly into the realm of pop art and cultural statements.