Designer bags go back to basics

Now that common sense has returned to the world’s economies and the days of conspicuous consumption appear to be at least suspended, if not actually a thing of the past, designer labels have shown themselves willing to respond to this new age of austerity.

Until recently the philosophy that drove designers of high-end handbags was a simple one: the more extravagant the better!

For instance, the Leiber Precious Rose – a handbag that lives up to its name. Designed to resemble a flower, the bag consists of 1,016 diamonds that comprise 42.5 carats in total. As if this wasn’t enough glitter and glitz to satisfy the most demanding fashionista, the Precious Rose also consists of 1,169 pink sapphires and 800 tourmalines. To add to its exclusive appeal, there is only one in the world.

Perhaps the most high profile luxury bag is the £75,258 Birkin bag, made from the finest crocodile skin containing nine carats of diamonds set in white gold and placed on the lock and clasp. However, even the supremacy of the Birkin has been challenged by Chanel’s Diamond Forever classic bag. This £158,000 superior slice of bling consists of 334 diamonds totalling 3.56 carats, set in 18-carat white gold hardware. The long shoulder straps are also fashioned from white gold. There are only 13 worldwide, so obtaining one might require ingenuity and persistence.

These extreme luxury bags will undoubtedly survive but there is a quiet revolution in the workshops of some of the leading companies. They may deny it, but the new handbags indicate a return to simplicity and the belief that less is more. Experts have already noted that this season’s designs are more muted, with plain colours and plain leather fastenings replacing gold and silver clasps.

Some designers are choosing nylon rather than animal skin and zips imported from Hong Kong rather than the more expensive Italian versions, while American designer Coach is planning to cut costs by obtaining jacquard from its French supplier’s new factory in India.

However, cynics claim that with sales of mid-priced products dipping dramatically, manufacturers have been forced to lower their sights. Ditching metal fastenings and replacing animal skin with manmade fabrics can only increase their profit margins.

New post on at Thursday, 10 September, 2009, 8:35 am and is archived in Fashion, Lifestyle, Luxury. Subscribe to answers with RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.