Christie’s Dubai will showcase 20 exceptional bags from the upcoming London auction of Handbags and Accessories on 19 November 2019. Christie’s handbags and accessories auctions offer rare and unique pieces from the leading names in fashion – Chanel, Gucci, Hermès and Louis Vuitton, amongst others.
I had a chance to talk to the specialist Lucile Andreani who showed me the collection, shared the story behind every bag and answered so many questions I had.
What makes the Christie’s handbags auction an important event?
The auction is an amazing opportunity to see the most important collection, which is especially relevant if you are new and want to have a viewing. You can come and try everything to understand what size and colour fits you the best before buying your very first bag, On another hand, if you are a serious collector, an auction gives you an opportunity to find the pieces missing from your current collection.
BIRKIN 30 WITH PALLADIUM HARDWARE
Is purchasing a designer handbag like Hermès Birkin a good investment?
Although it is possible to resell the bag in the future and make profit, to me, purchasing a handbag like that is first of all an investment for yourself. You can enjoy your handbag for a lifetime and one day pass it to your daughter thanks to the top quality materials and craftsmanship.
HARDWARE
What should you consider when buying a designer bag?
When it comes to choosing the right bag to purchase, I believe it should be a balanced decision between following the fashion trends and finding a classic model for your wardrobe. It is very personal and you should choose the bag that you will enjoy wearing on multiple occasions. It also depends on how many bags you want to purchase, if it is for the day or evening occasion and if you want something more special from a limited or vintage collection. Having built the relationship with my clients, I am able to guide them through the purchasing process and help them find a perfect handbag for their needs.
CASE BY KARL LAGERFELD
LOUIS VUITTON, 2014
40 Years of Handbag Sales at Christie’s
Since the first handbag was sold at The Chanel Wardrobe Sale in London in 1979, Christie’s has been an important player and an early mover in the handbag market.
Through the late 1980s and 1990s as part of ‘Costume & Textiles’, the 2000s as part of ‘Fashion’, 2010-2011 in the ‘Elegance’ Sales, and since 2012 as a category of its own, handbags have had consistent, organic growth.
More recently, Christie’s strong online business in this department has led us to our dedicated live auctions – the first being held in Hong Kong in November 2014, followed by Paris in March 2015. The success of these auctions has solidified our position as a leader in the market and reinforced our decision to continue to grow our business in these regions.
These sales came about due to the demand for Hermès handbags. Each item is made with delicate care and skilled craftsmanship and is highly sought after. There are often waiting lists for such handbags of a particular skin or colour and so, providing these items at auction gives bidders the attractive option of jumping the queue.
Today Christie’s auctions of Handbags and Accessories are comprised of vintage handbags as well as those of more recent manufacture. Often, the handbags that achieve the best performance at auction are relatively new, but are made of rare skins and have unique colours.
To see the collections and be updated on the upcoming auctions, visit www.christies.com/handbags
