the essentials in brief
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The most expensive bags come from the traditional fashion house Hermès.
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Only special creations from different jewelers and designers can match the French luxury brand’s pieces in terms of price and opulence.
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Especially the use of real diamonds drives up prices.
It bags are no longer just popular collectibles, but also true investments. We tell you which is the most expensive bag in the world and how absurdly high the prices of these luxury items are!
The fuss over bags
Whether large or small, round or square, colorful or plain, made of (fake) leather or raffia: bags are among the most popular accessories in the fashion sector. Not only can they enhance virtually any outfit, but they are also practical at best. They store important possessions like wallets, keys, and smartphones, and we often frantically search for gum or lip balm. As different as the contents of the bags are, so is their appearance and quality. There are countless classics, fun eye-catchers and authentic collector’s pieces.
You have to dig deeper into your pockets, especially for collectibles. This can be several hundred euros; There doesn’t seem to be an upper limit. You can spend several (ten) thousand euros on designer bags in the blink of an eye. Among the most popular designer brands are the traditional houses Chanel, Dior and not forgetting Hermès. Their unique models not only have many fans, but also a long history. The best example of this is the coveted Hermès Birkin bag, named after the model, actress and singer Jane Birkin.
And this is exactly what makes these bags not only a faithful companion in everyday life, but also a highly sought-after collector’s item and investment item. Handbags are now as popular as watches and designer bags, true investments. Iconic It bags with recognition value quickly reach double their original selling price, of course depending on:
- Model
- Condition
- Old
- Color
- personal preferences
- Availability/rarity
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The Hermès “Himalayan Nile Crocodile Diamond Birkin”
The price of a Hermès Birkin bag currently ranges between around 9,000 euros and several hundred thousand euros. One of the most expensive Birkins in the world was sold at an auction by the London house Christie’s in Hong Kong in 2019 and reached a price of around 350,000 euros (although the data differs depending on the source). The expensive piece is a very special model: the “Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Birkin 30”. It is made of genuine crocodile skin, white gold hardware and high-quality diamonds. Why exotic leather is still so commercialized today is ethically and morally questionable. Although it is a high price, it is still far from being the most expensive bag in the world.
The highest value at Hermés is the “Diamond Sac Bijou”, of which there are only three pieces in the world. Its retail value is around $2 million and is set with 2,712 diamonds. The highlight: It’s not actually a bag, even though it is fully functional. The “Diamond Sac Bijou” comes from the “Haute Bijouterie Collection” and is intended as a bracelet. But what is the most expensive bag in the world?
The most expensive bag in the world: a creation of Debbie Wingham
Debbie Wingham is actually a multimedia artist and has a penchant for elaborate, exquisite and, above all, expensive designs. In 2019, she created a custom piece for an anonymous US client, who gave the British designer some valuable pieces to turn into a bag. The self-proclaimed celebrity couturier is known for her extravagant custom pieces.
The $6.7 million bag includes an Hermès scarf set with 8,000 diamonds, a platinum and 24-karat gold frame (valued at $250,000) and a pair of Cartier earrings (valued at $40,000). But that’s not the only way the Brit has made a name for herself. She is known for several expensive creations that top the “world’s most expensive” list and has clients all over the world.
This is what the most expensive bag in the world looks like
The same goes for jeweler Robert Mouward, who was included in the Guinness Book of Records in 2010 with one of his designer pieces and topped the list of the most expensive bags in the world. The unique heart-shaped piece is called “1001”. It contains 4,517 diamonds, 105 of which are yellow and 56 pink. It took ten craftsmen about 8,800 hours to complete everything. And, of course, that costs money. The bag reached a retail price of 3.4 million US dollars. The Mouawad jeweler also holds other records in the luxury segment.