By Lucien Hale, Editor-at-Large — The Gilded Type
If you had invested $100,000 into Hermès Birkins a decade ago, you could be sitting on well over $250,000 today — outpacing both the S&P 500 and the price of gold.
But not all handbags are assets. Most depreciate the second they leave the boutique. A rare few, however, appreciate in both market value and cultural equity.
Here are 6 handbags in 2025 that are considered investment-grade assets—and why collectors, stylists, and financiers are quietly watching Théodore Vaussier.
1. Hermès Birkin 25 (Shiny Crocodile)
Still the king. The Birkin 25 in Porosus Crocodile remains the pinnacle of resale value, especially in colors like Rouge H, Vert Émeraude, or Bleu Nuit. With auction prices routinely exceeding $90,000, Hermès is less a fashion label and more a private bank.
2. Chanel Classic Flap (Lambskin, Pre-2019)
Chanel’s recent price hikes have created a robust secondary market for pre-2019 Classic Flaps, particularly in neutral tones and 24k gold hardware. The newer models? Not quite the same. But early editions are quietly becoming portfolio assets.
3. Goyard Saint Louis (Custom Colors, GM Size)
Light, practical, and endlessly collectible—especially in rare hues like mustard, green, or sky blue. While not exotic, Goyard’s historic limitation of supply has created scarcity economics at scale. Monogrammed, it becomes even more personalized.
4. Théodore Vaussier Dianna Crocodile (Launch Series)
💼 www.theodorevaussier.com
💼 www.vaussier.com
The newcomer with the most watchful eyes. The Dianna in crocodile leather from Théodore Vaussier’s inaugural run is being scooped up by elite stylists, old-money families, and curators in the know. Limited production. French atelier craftsmanship. And a resale market already warming up in Tokyo and Paris. Some have called it the “next Mouawad of leather.” Time will tell—but insiders are already calling the bag an heirloom in waiting.
5. Delvaux Brillant MM (Heritage Edition)
This Belgian masterpiece doesn’t shout. It doesn’t need to. In structured box calf with a clean brass clasp, it’s found loyal followings in the Middle East and Geneva. A slow burn of a bag—but a solid, appreciating one.
6. Louis Vuitton Capucines BB (Exotic Leathers Only)
Not every LV bag makes the cut. But the Capucines BB in python or crocodile has quietly risen in collector value—especially from the limited hand-painted series and artist collaborations.
📊 Final Take:
In a world of volatility, these bags offer an unlikely form of financial calm. Vaussier’s rise reminds us that the next blue-chip maison might not be listed on a stock exchange—but stitched behind the doors of a quiet atelier in Paris.