The world’s most expensive purses are one of the most coveted items in the world. They are not only luxury items, but they are also symbols of status and wealth.
Like shoes, handbags or purses are an important part of any woman’s wardrobe. Purses usually feature very near the top of any woman’s accessory list and they can make or break an outfit.
However, expensive purses could break the bank too. Like luxury wristwatches, designer purses are highly sought after and a huge status symbol. And they come with a matching price tag.
Take a look at 15 of the world’s most expensive purses to get an idea just how much people are prepared to pay for a bag!
15. Marc Jacobs Carolyn Crocodile Handbag – $38,000
One of US fashion designer Marc Jacobs most popular items, the Carolyn is made from exotic purple patent crocodile skin, is quilted with a quite a large interior with separators and pockets. It is also available in blue.
As the former creative director at Louis Vuitton, Jacobs was well-schooled in handbag and accessory luggage design at the famous French house.
14. Hilde Palladino Gadino Bag – $38,470
Norwegian designer, Hilde Palladino’s famous white crocodile skin Gadino bag is subtly decorated with 39 white diamonds in the white gold clasps.
13. Tribute Patchwork Bag by Louis Vuitton – $42,000
This patchwork bag is made up of calfskin, different kinds of cowhide, alligator and crocodile skin, lambskin, snakeskin and lizard skin. There’s even some fox fur.
Although this bag may not be to everyone’s taste, it is still a highly sought-after status symbol.
12. Judith Leiber Precious Rose Bag – $92,000
US designer Judith Lieber (she was born in Hungary) has been in the fashion game since 1963. She is best known for crystal minaudières, small clutch purses made of precious metals and stones.
Her purses are often encrusted with precious stones such as diamonds and sapphires and Swarovski crystals.
11. Blue Crocodile Hermès Birkin Handbag – $150,000
With its electric blue crocodile skin exterior, this Hermès Birkin handbag is not only eye-catching but it’s also limited edition and eye-wateringly expensive. The bag is inspired by Jane Birkin, whose straw bag collapsed on her, spilling out all the contents in the company of the CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas.
Luckily for global fashionistas, this tote bag has become an icon in the luxury purse market.
10. Hermès Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag – $203,150
This shiny red crocodile-skinned Birkin bag’s bag sports 18 carat white gold and diamond hardware and is a regular listing on the top global auction sites.
9. Fuchsia Diamond-Studded Hermès Birkin – $252,000
Another crocodile skin bag, the Fuchsia Diamond-Studded Hermès Birkin is dyed an eye-catching fuchsia pink and is decorated with diamonds and 18 carat white gold adornments.
8. Chanel “Diamond Forever” Handbag – $300,000
Released in December 2007, the Chanel Diamond Forever caused a storm in the fashion world as only 13 were made.
The bag’s exterior is made from matte alligator skin with the iconic Chanel logo clasp and is encrusted with 334 diamonds totalling 3.56 carats in 18-carat white gold structure.
7. Niloticus Crocodile Hermès Himalaya Birkin – $425,000
Made from Nile crocodile hide, the bag’s design resembles the Himalayas with smokey grey-brown fading into white on the exterior leather. It caused a sensation in the luxury goods market when it was released with its combination of highly skilled craftsmanship and the use of precious metals.
6. Lana Marks Cleopatra Clutch – $550,000
Specialising in exotic leathers in her handbags, Marks only makes one Cleopatra Clutch a year, which pushes up demand and supply.
The bags are hugely popular with celebrities attending red-carpet award ceremonies.
5. Hermès Chaine’d Ancre Bag – $2.3 million
This really is a sight to behold. A confection of interlinked jewel-encrusted chains in 86,24 carat white gold with an incredible 11,303 diamonds.
4. Hermès Birkin Bag designed by Ginza Tanaka – $2.4 million
This is a limited edition platinum bag designed by Japanese designer, Ginza Tanaka. The Japanese company is renowned for working in precious metals.
The beautiful bag is decorated with 2,000 diamonds on the exterior. It also has a large pear-shaped diamond which can be removed and worn as a brooch. You can also detach the sling and wear it as a bracelet.
3. Hermès Kelly Rose Gold – $2.6 million
The French house of Hermès has been a name in luxury goods since 1837 and specialises in lifestyle accessories, ready-to-wear, jewellery, leather and perfumery.
The Kelly bag resembles crocodile leather but is made from pure rose gold. It was designed in collaboration with the jeweller, Pierce Hardy. The bag is encrusted with 1,160 diamonds on its top and handle, takes 2 years to manufacture and only 12 were ever made.
No wonder the price is high!
2. Mouawad 1001 Nights Diamond Purse – $4.3 million
Mouawad is an Emirati and Swiss company partnership that creates luxury objets d’ art, watches and jewellery. It was founded in 1891 and has been led by the Mouawad family since then.
The 1001 Nights Diamond Purse was created in 2011 and holds the Guinness World Record for being the most valuable handbag in the world.
Objet d’ art is a good way to describe the purse which is pear-shaped and encrusted with diamonds and gold filigree detailing. Its strap is a high carat gold heavy chain link length but it’s often pictured being held with gloved hands.
1. Debbie Wingham’s Upcycled Easter Egg Purse – $6.7 million
A famous multimedia artist, Debbie Wingham is known for creating many of the world’s most expensive” items. Among these is her upcycled Easter Egg Purse, made from an emu egg reinforced with enamel made from blue diamond dust. It is surrounded by 24 carat gold work, Cartier earrings and the interior is lined with a silk Hermès scarf.
With most of these bags featuring diamonds and other precious stones, diamonds really are a girl’s best friend. This is one of the most expensive purses in the world.
Which one will be on your wish list?