For the dedicated follower and collector of fashion, Bonhams has announced that it is accessorising its luxury division with an all-new designer handbag and fashion department. This will complement its other luxury divisions, including watches and jewellery. The department is set to launch this month, with its first sale scheduled for April.
It will offer pre-owned/collectors contemporary and vintage handbags, costume jewellery, luggage and classic fashion pieces, showcasing luxury labels including; Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada. Sales will be curated to reflect current market trends and fashions by a new team of designer handbag and fashion specialists.
Four sales per year will be held, each offering between 200 and 300 lots appealing to both fashionistas and collectors. It plans to hold two live auctions at the Bonhams Knightsbridge saleroom on 22 April and 23 September, with a further two ‘online only’ sales.
According to GlobalData, the pre-owned market for all luxury goods is set to be worth $51 billion by 2023, over double its $24 billion value in 2018, driven by various factors including increasing social-consciousness and environmental concerns of consumers and the scarcity of coveted pieces, such as the Hermès Birkin bag, which commands long waiting lists when brand new.
Photo: Hermès fuschia ostrich Kelly Bag, 2006, Bonhams