Explore these Most Expensive Bag Brands For This Year
As we head into 2024, it’s being boldly claimed that designer bags will surpass art and jewelry as prime investments in the luxury market. To what extent is that true? While many women flaunt their most expensive designer bags as a means of self-expression, others treat them as collectibles. For fashion fanatics, it’s no longer about buying what you love; it’s about making a smart and worthy investment.
The cost of an expensive handbag hinges on its unique design, the hard work and premium material going into each piece, and its demand in the luxury sphere. High-end fashion labels are in a constant battle to outdo each other in the luxury market. They produce one-of-a-kind limited-edition luxury bags studded with gold, diamonds, and unique embellishments fetching thousands of dollars at auctions that only the top brass can afford.
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In this blog, let’s dive into the top 15 most expensive designer bags of 2024, their individual worth, and features that outshine them in the global market. Ready? Let’s go!
Electric Blue Crocodile Hermès Birkin Handbag – $150,000
Studded with white gold and 18-karat diamonds, this extraordinary blue Hermès Birkin in exotic porosus crocodile leather soared to the top in a historic moment at Christie’s inaugural handbag sale in Mayfair London. Commanding an impressive £125,000, this sale shattered European records for the most expensive designer bag at the time, securing a place in the top 15 on our list!
Hermès Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile 30 Birkin Bag – $203,150
The Hermès exceptional collection shiny rouge porosus crocodile 30 cm Birkin bag earns its spot on the roster of the most expensive designer bags known to humanity. With 18K white gold and diamond hardware, this red-hued bag made headlines by setting a record as the priciest handbag ever auctioned publicly at over $200,000. After a bidding war at Heritage Auctions in Dallas, Texas, an anonymous collector emerged victorious and cemented this bag’s legendary status.
Fuchsia Diamond-Studded Hermes Birkin – $222,000
The vibrant and glossy Fuchsia Hermès Birkin, adorned with 18K white gold and diamonds sets another benchmark. Unsurprisingly, the Hermès Birkin Bags seem to be in a league of their own, consistently surpassing each other as the most expensive handbags ever sold. At a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2015, this bag was bought for a staggering sum of $1.72 million Hong Kong dollars.
Chanel “Diamond Forever” Handbag – $261,000
Chanel “Diamond Forever” is an exclusive handbag, launched in 2008 under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld. Only 13 of these uniquely constructed flap bags were released. It features fine crocodile leather complemented by 334 diamonds totaling 3.56 karats. The hardware and detachable chain strap are made with white gold, exuding elegance and glamor.
This exquisite piece went under the hammer at amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS benefit in 2009, fetching a notable $261,000.
Hermès So Black Feather Kelly – $300,000
Next up is the Hermès So Black Feather Kelly. Being one of the most expensive designer bag brands, Hermès has a record number of limited-edition bags auctioned off. This Kelly was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier in collaboration with French feather métier Maison Lemarié. The distinctive bag is characterized by its deep black hue and gorgeous black feather detailing. The front panel with the finest black natural feathers, meticulously attached one by one, is what makes this Kelly so prized. It was auctioned off at Christie’s for no less than $300,000 in 2022.
Hermès Feather Mosaïque Kelly—-$352,000
The feather Mosaïque Sellier Kelly stands as one of the most sought-after and expensive designer bags in history. Embellished with a captivating geometric array of multi-colored feathers, it fetched an impressive $352,825 at a Christie’s auction in Hong Kong in 2021.
Hermès Faubourg Birkin—$400,000
Launched in 2019, the Faubourg flaunts a storefront motif featuring three windows adorned with vibrant orange awnings. Alongside a rich blend of crocodile and chevrè leather skin flaps, there are exquisite handles, a cadena lock, and a shopping bag clochette. The white or “snow” variant stands out as the most valuable. A rare 20 cm handbag with palladium hardware, it reached an astounding $400,000 at a 2022 sale.
Lana Marks Cleopatra Clutch – $400,000
Lana Marks’ iconic Cleopatra clutch has been a red carpet favorite since the 2000s. It gained widespread acclaim with celebrities like Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, and Angelina Jolie flaunting various versions of this expensive handbag. Its exclusivity contributes to the high cost as only one new Cleopatra Clutch is produced each year. Notably, Chinese actress Li Bingbing boasts the most expensive version, a custom creation costing $400,000, featuring American alligator leather adorned with 1,600 white diamonds totaling 40 carats, complemented by pink diamonds and pink gold spelling out her name.
Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin – $450,000
Himalaya Birkin comes with a hefty price tag for a reason– the bag is very challenging to create. Crafted from Niloticus crocodiles, the dyeing process alone takes extensive hours to achieve the subtle coloration. This creation stands as one of the most expensive designer bags. Inspired by the majestic Himalayas mountains, this Birkin blends rich browns reminiscent of the terrain and snowy whites comparable to cloudy mountain peaks.
The latest Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin, with an 18K gold exterior, studded with over 240 diamonds recently outshone the 2016 record and was sold for $450,000.
Hermès Himalaya Kelly–$513,200
Much like the Himalaya Birkins, the Kelly counterparts hold substantial value. In 2021, a Himalaya crocodile Retourné Kelly 28, featuring 18K gold and diamond encrusted hardware set a world record at Christie’s selling for an impressive $513,200.
Louis Vuitton Millionaire Speedy $1 Million
Made from vibrant yellow crocodile skin, this exclusive version of Louis Vuitton’s beloved duffle bag is the fifth most expensive designer bag globally. What’s unique about the distinctive LV monogram pattern is that the process involves manual painting of the monogram onto the crocodile leather, taking around 65 hours. To keep it supple, ateliers use specific strengthening techniques between scales. The bag also features an 18K gold chain and 18K gold zipper, crowned with a show-stopping diamond-rich LV padlock.
It was released by the brand’s new menswear creative director, Pharrell Williams, during Paris Men’s 2024 Fashion Week in June 2023.
Hermès Chaine’d Ancre Bag – $1.4 Million
One of the rarest and most expensive bags in the world, the Hermès Chaine’d Ancre Bag was created in 2012 after 2 years of hard work by the jeweler Pierre Hardy. The bag has an intricate, prison-like aesthetic with anchor-shaped chain links adorned with a dazzling collection of 1,160 diamonds. Only 3 pieces of these immaculate bags were created.
Hermès Sac Bijou Birkin Bag by Ginza Tanaka – $1.9 Million
In a 2015 collaboration with Japanese jeweler Ginza Tanaka, Hermès unveiled a platinum Birkin priced at $1.9 million. It boasts 2,182 diamonds on its exterior and an 8-karat pear-shaped stone centerpiece that can be detached and worn as a brooch. There are multiple detachable parts that can be worn as bracelets and accessories.
Hermès Kelly Rose Gold – $2 Million
Hermès has totally rocked the charts with this one! This fine handbag/jewelry crossover piece is worth $2 million. A petite rose gold handbag molded to mimic crocodile leather by Pierce Hardy. It’s not just a bag; it’s a piece of art, ranking as the second most expensive designer bag globally. It’s adorned with 1,160 diamonds and a flap closure. Only 12 of these exist with four distinctive styles.
Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse – $3.8 Million
Finally! The crown for the number one most expensive designer bag in the world goes to 1001 Nights Diamond Purse by none other than Mouawad Jewelers. They achieved this monumental feat in luxury in 2011, a record documented in the Guinness World Records. Worth a staggering $3.8 million, artisans dedicated 8,800 hours to create this heart-shaped masterpiece adorned with 4,517 diamonds including 105 yellow, 56 pink, and 4,356 colorless diamonds totaling an impressive 381.92 karats. This achievement is part of the Emirati luxury goods company’s impressive collection, boasting five Guinness World Records for some of the most costly items globally.
WRAP UP
And there you have it– the dazzling lineup of the world’s most expensive designer bags for 2024. From Birkins adorned with feathers to diamond-studded works of art, these luxurious handbags redefine fashion as we know it. These bags aren’t mere accessories. They are investments, status symbols, and pieces of art that make their way to the world’s most elite collectors only. As we read about these marvels of luxury, let’s ponder. Do we carry these bags or do they carry our dreams, desires and stories we dare to weave?
