CNN article about Resale value of luxury handbags

[S0nia]

I have been searching for a topic about the resale market being less viable for certain brands/styles after I started thinking about the Loewe Puzzle bag and Givenchy Antigona today after years of not “checking in” on the current retail prices, and was surprised that the latter did not hold its value at all, while the former seems to still be in demand. I was interested to know why demand has gone down for certain previous “it” bags while others continued to hold or exceed their value. Is it the shape of the bag itself? Is it the retail market driving demand/scarcity (or lack of)? Is it social media not featuring these bags anymore? Or is it simply the brand itself?

That's a VERY interesting question, one I am deeply interested it myself. I would say it relates to HOW the bag acquired its "itness" in the first place. Was it a genuine interest and love for a design/style (Balenciaga Motorcycles) that was organic and came from the bottom up? A genuine cult around some designer (Phoebe Philo's Celine)? Some fully manufactured media campaign like most bags? Is the bag "hot" because it is a status symbol that people don't actually love for itself but only as flexing tool (Hermès, Chanel)?

 

[blackleathergoldhw]

I admit that before Jonathan Anderson joined Loewe, I did not pay much attention to the brand (and I don’t think the masses did either, it was more under the radar) but he has done wonders for them, so it has definitely earned its hot “it” status in more recent times. Another old it bag I remember crushing on was the Miu Miu bow bag; pretty sure TPF introduced my obsession my mom had trouble finding one in stock when she was in Italy all those years ago, but I’m glad looking back because I got over my bag crush soon after.

 

[Evergreen602]

I have been searching for a topic about the resale market being less viable for certain brands/styles after I started thinking about the Loewe Puzzle bag and Givenchy Antigona today after years of not “checking in” on the current retail prices, and was surprised that the latter did not hold its value at all, while the former seems to still be in demand. I was interested to know why demand has gone down for certain previous “it” bags while others continued to hold or exceed their value. Is it the shape of the bag itself? Is it the retail market driving demand/scarcity (or lack of)? Is it social media not featuring these bags anymore? Or is it simply the brand itself?

I think there are a couple of explanations. One is that structured bags have waned in popularity, and styles have shifted to slouchier bags in the last few years. That would explain lack of demand for the Antigona (at least the classic version). However, style is cyclical, and I would not be surprised if structured bag styles become favorable again in 5-10 years.

Secondly, the classic version of the Loewe Puzzle was discontinued earlier this year, and was replaced by the Puzzle Edge (Loewe dropped the "edge" moniker on this style). This caused many people, including myself, to panic buy the classic version. Stock has dwindled on most of the classic style Puzzles, and people are looking to the secondary market. I would expect prices on the secondary market to drop in the next year or so.

 

[S0nia]

I think there are a couple of explanations. One is that structured bags have waned in popularity, and styles have shifted to slouchier bags in the last few years. That would explain lack of demand for the Antigona (at least the classic version). However, style is cyclical, and I would not be surprised if structured bag styles become favorable again in 5-10 years.

Secondly, the classic version of the Loewe Puzzle was discontinued earlier this year, and was replaced by the Puzzle Edge (Loewe dropped the "edge" moniker on this style). This caused many people, including myself, to panic buy the classic version. Stock has dwindled on most of the classic style Puzzles, and people are looking to the secondary market. I would expect prices on the secondary market to drop in the next year or so.

Some Antigonas were soft and slouchy. The cyclicality of trends does not explain all.
There is something to be said about the authentic vs. artificial nature of the "itness" of certain bags.