This Week's Obsessions: Handbags are Having a Moment

The luxury handbag market is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance, capturing attention across the fashion landscape. No longer is the domain of designer handbags confined to the storied ateliers of Paris and Milan. As recently noted in Business of Fashion, a new wave of brands—from the athleisure-inspired Alo Yoga to the minimalist Nili Lotan, and even trend-savvy juggernauts like Old Navy—is eager to seize the opportunity, rapidly debuting handbag lines that answer the evolving desires of today’s consumers. With flagship pieces from heritage brands now commanding record-breaking prices, the allure of luxury has never felt more aspirational—or, for some, more out of reach.

This meteoric rise isn’t just shaping what consumers desire, but how they aspire to own, experience, and enjoy luxury. Today’s buyers are discerning, informed, and searching for ways to elevate their wardrobes without sacrificing either style or financial sense. The traditional model of purchasing a bag outright is being challenged by digital-savvy shoppers who value flexibility, community, and sustainability just as much as the latest runway trend. It’s no wonder that co-ownership models are gaining momentum as the gateway to high fashion, providing unparalleled access to the world’s most sought-after bags with less commitment and more convenience.

At the forefront of this movement is More Luxury Club—redefining what it means to invest in luxury. By enabling members to share in the ownership of iconic handbags, More Luxury Club delivers the joy, prestige, and versatility of premium accessories without the substantial upfront costs. This innovative approach isn’t just about sharing a bag; it’s about sharing an elevated experience. As the industry evolves and new styles emerge, More Luxury Club ensures that luxury remains approachable, exciting, and endlessly rewarding for all who appreciate the finer things in life

(The Business of Fashion)

What’s Driving the Boom?

Rising Prices from Luxury Big Players
Classic luxury bags from houses like Chanel have seen huge price increases in recent years. For example, a Chanel classic flap bag that cost around $5,800 in 2019 now costs over $11,300, putting them in the same price territory as major life purchases.
“Luxury Fatigue” + Desire for Value
Many consumers are growing weary of overpriced heritage logos and are more interested in value, design, and quality. The rise of smaller, independent brands entering the handbag space shows that people are looking for styles that feel fresh, distinctive, and more aligned with their values.
Brands Seeing Bags as Safer Bets
Designing handbags is often less risky than apparel; it avoids fitting issues and seasonal complications. Bags can become signature pieces that drive both recognition and revenue for brands. For emerging designers and existing labels alike, handbags offer a gateway into luxury for consumers who might otherwise be priced out.

What This Means for Shoppers

If you’ve ever hesitated at the high cost of entry luxury bags, you’re not alone.
More options mean more competition—stylish new designs, higher craftsmanship, but also potential for overexposure and diluted quality.
The key becomes finding classics and quality craftsmanship, not just chasing what’s new.

Why Co-Ownership Is the Best Response

At More Luxury Club, we believe co-ownership addresses many of the challenges this handbag boom presents:

Access Without the Full Price Tag: You get to enjoy high-quality bags that might otherwise be financially out of reach.
Rotate Smarter: When trend saturation is high, co-ownership lets you experiment without committing permanently.
Value Preservation: Shared maintenance, care, and usage extend the life of luxury items. A co-owned bag retains more value when it's looked after.
Sustainable Consumption: Owning and using fewer, better products cuts down on waste and excess—exactly what’s needed in response to this handbag glut.

What to Watch Out For

Authenticity & Quality: With so many new bag launches, some fail on quality or source. Be sure of material, stitching, hardware etc.
Resale & Value Retention: Not all bags appreciate; many retain value only if well cared for.
Longevity vs Trendiness: A lot of new bags are trend-led. Once trends fade, many of those inventory pieces sit unused.

Our Take

Given rising prices and increasing brand proliferation, co-ownership models are not just “nice to have”—they’re rapidly becoming the smarter, more sustainable choice for luxury lovers. At More Luxury Club, we aren’t just keeping up with change—we’re helping you thrive within it: access, quality, shared value, sustainability.

Designer Spotlight - - Why Nili Lotan is on our Radar, and why it should be on yours

After nearly 22 years of shaping wardrobe staples, Nili Lotan has unveiled her first full handbag collection—just in time for Fall 2025. Known for understated elegance and elevated basics, Lotan’s new line affirms her signature aesthetic: craftsmanship with character, design with purpose. Her debut includes leather goods like the Jerry clutch, Lou top-handle bag, Jane shoulder bag, Loren, and Joni tote—all made in Italy and Spain from refined materials, such as croc-embossed leather and chocolate suede. (The Zoe Report)

What Makes Lotan’s Bags Stand Out

Effortless Style, Elevated Everyday: Lotan’s flair lies in turning everyday essentials into emotionally resonant pieces. Her clutches and totes aren’t about flashy logos—they’re about polish, proportion, and identity. The Lou top-handle, for instance, elevates the classic handbag silhouette through subtle hardware and silhouette. (The Zoe Report)
Made in Europe: The new handbag line is produced in Italian and Spanish ateliers. These regions are celebrated for artisanal leather craftsmanship and quality controls, which align with Lotan’s long-standing value for durability. (SURFACE)

Sustainability & Intention

Lotan’s commitment to sustainability may be quieter than in headline campaigns, but it’s present in her approach:

Slow Growth, Slow Production: Rather than mass launches, Lotan has taken time to introduce the handbag line with a limited set of styles. This encourages intentional buying. (Jerusalem Post)
Quality Materials & Longevity: Using high-grade leather finishes and working with skilled European ateliers increases the lifespan of each bag—core to sustainability in goods meant to be used and cherished.
Transparency in Craft: Lotan talks openly about working close with her customers, being informed by what they want, and being personally involved in design and small production decisions. This hands-on strategy promotes accountability and less waste. (Vogue)

Why Nili Lotan Belongs in More Luxury Club

For members who value investment pieces defined by design, heritage, and subtle identity, Lotan’s bags offer something special. Under co-ownership, these bags become easier to access—and even easier to care for—for the long haul. It’s not just the allure of a beautiful bag; it’s the promise of using it, maintaining it, and keeping it in circulation, not relegated to occasional use. We're already in love with the Lou Bag (pictured above) in green, any takers? WhatsApp us and let us know.

Love It or 'Hate It' - - The Micro Bag Trend

Micro bags are shrinking bigger, jumping from accessories to main acts on the runway. This Fall, designers like Calvin Klein, Chloé, and Chanel are scaling down with mini satchels, ultra-slim cross-bodies, and pared-back vanity cases. Elle’s Fall 2025 bag trends includes standout micro-pieces like the Miu Miu Beau Leather Micro-Bag, Alaïa Cube Vanity Case, and Saint Laurent Micro Sade Tube.

No longer just a playful accent, the micro bag demands attention—proving that small scale delivers major style impact. From glimmering evening companions to clever daytime essentials, these miniatures pack in functionality with slots for cards, lipstick, and just enough personal flair. They fit neatly into the palm of your hand or hang elegantly from a wrist, becoming conversation starters and status symbols in equal measure.

This season is all about intentional minimalism—edit your essentials, travel light, and let your bag’s sculptural silhouette and luxe details do the talking. Whether styled with an oversized coat or crisp tailoring, this new generation of micro bags elevates every look, showing you don’t need size to make a statement. But not everyone is a fan.

Why Some Might Love Them

Statement in Miniature: These micro bags are all about impact. Their compact size forces designers to focus on essentials—often leading to beautifully simple shapes and bold finishes.
Evening-Perfect & Stylish: Ideal for nights out, special events, or moments you only need the essentials—phone, lipstick, card. They’re curated fun.
Fashion Photo Appeal: Let’s be honest—they work brilliantly on social media, adding flash without bulk.

Why We’re Not Convinced

Function Plays Second Fiddle: When your bag can’t hold a phone—or barely a card—it risks being more pose than practical.
Short Trend Life: Micro bags tend to follow fashion cycles fast. Their novelty can fade quickly—hardly a forever investment.
Cost Per Wear Problem: If you spend luxury prices for minimal utility, your cost per wear goes through the roof.

Our Verdict

We’re not fans of the micro bag trend—not because we dislike boldness, but because co-ownership teaches us value lies in utility and elegance. For us, a bag should be used, loved, and worn often. Micro bags? Could be suited for “occasion wear.” But on their own, they rarely live up to the cost.

That said, if you do want to test the waters, they're ideal for co-owning—try the trend without committing long term. Use it, love it for a season or two, then rotate it out. Because the best pieces in a wardrobe are those that balance desire and daily function. Let us know your verdict by sending us a message on the MLC WhatsApp.