The past decade has seen a huge shift in the luxury handbag market: entry level price points are up and a new class of aspirational luxury companies like Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Rebecca Minkoff are working to fill the void. We’ve seen the waxing and waning of ‘logos’ (presently, designers are running as far away from the logo as they can, read: The Anti-It Bag), but also consistency in the bags and shapes perceived to be at the top of the handbag hierarchy (read: From Coach to Hermes: The Luxury Handbag Market).
.
The top of the handbag pyramid has become very crowded with aspirational brands, increasing pressure on megabrands from the bottom of the price pyramid.
Tory Burch Bags ~ @kaydee.kilgore3
Kate Spade ~ @isabellekelch17
@missmuw
While some of these developments are more important than others, perhaps one of the most significant is the emergence of a new means of status distinction for luxury consumers: the trinket. Yes, in a postmodern twist, walking down the sidewalk, women aren’t just looking at accessories, but accessories for accessories. As Fflur Roberts, head of luxury goods at Euromonitor International puts it, “The last five years has seen many luxury brands expand their portfolios and diversify into new territory. But the latest in these innovations is the increase of brand tchotchkes by leading luxury labels” (tchotchke is Yiddish for trinket). According to figures produced by his firm, the luxury small leather goods market, where these trinkets are categorized, is currently valued at $5.7 billion and expected to grow to $7.5 billion by 2020 (read: Fendi Brings E-Commerce to the US)
As you’re well aware, PurseBop here has wholeheartedly jumped on the bandwagon! I could have an entire section on the site devoted to my affection for Karlito! Even before Karlito, Fendi was already a bag-charm pioneer, launching the Bag Bug keychains during Autumn/Winter 2013. While the items are sometimes ridiculed, the revenue they’re bringing in is no laughing matter! The wait-lists to get one have been well-documented.
Karlito Family Portrait ~ @pursebop
So what’s driving the interest in the accessories category? There are at least a couple reasons I can think of. One, items like bag charms are significantly cheaper than entry-level handbags and thus allow an aspirational consumer to get a taste of luxury without going all out. For folks on the opposite end of the spectrum, whose closets are full of bags, items like bag charms add excitement to a bag we’ve maybe been carrying for over a decade. Virtually everything in our lives is personalizable, why not our bags too?!
Fendi Monster Bag Charm ~ @my__closet__diaries
Hermes Rodeo Charms ~ @viiiii5
Beyond bag charms and accessories, there are a number of other adorable knick-knacks out there from our favorite luxury brands. Alexander Wang has his leather boxing gloves, Moschino has $100 iPhone cover, and my favorite, the Burberry Thomas teddy bear, priced at a jaw-dropping $500. The cashmere bear is made entirely in England and printed with the signature Burberry check. MCM has an equally as adorable signature bear bag charm. Let’s also not forget about the edgy and sassy Anya Hindmarch bag stickers.
Burberry Thomas Bag Charm ~ @littlemsvy
@camellianoir
MCM Signature Bear Charm ~ @benzobev
Moschino Phone Case ~ @anika_bozic
Anya Hindmarch Bag ~ @hilarydai
What trinkets have you indulged in yourself? Are they just a fleeting fad or do they represent the next big shift in the handbag market? What whimsical items do you think Fendi will think up this season?
Let’s talk on BopTalk…
Love PurseBop
XO
Updated: May 28th, 2017
Comments
3 Responses to “Bears, Bugs and Karlito: Trinkets are NO Laughing Matter”
Great post love! But as much as I think bag charms are ultra cute and would love to buy one (or a few ?) my personal opinion is that between buying a Fendi Monster or Karlito that cost over 1k, I’d rather buy a Gucci Soho Disco or YSL Monogram wallet, for example, that cost the same or even less… Or wait for sale season and snatch for example the mini Givenchy Antigona that @yourfavoritesaksgirl posted on IG that’s on sale for $1050 (??), or even save a little bit longer to snatch the small Antigona, or the Fendi 2Jours, YSL Sac De Jour… That all cost less than 1.5k when on sale… But this is my personal opinion, if I could buy bags and charms, I’d do so of course, but if I had to pick, I’d stick to Givenchy, Fendi, Gucci, Proenza Schouler, Valentino bags on sale ?❤️❤️???
it’s true that trinkets are no laughing matter especially when you see the price ?? . nowadays carrying the bag isn’t enough you have to dress the bag..it is an extension of yourself as what i have noticed in today’s fashion trends. Karlito, Fendi Bag bugs and tchitchi dolls are among the most expensive trinkets i have encountered so far. i know everyone is not a fan with all the bling-bling on the bag but it does make the bag stand out in a sea full of bags.
Thanks Blair, I couldn’t agree more! And to think this is only the beginning of the charm market!