Hermes bag that Ms. Truong My Lan asked for back and other luxury items worth investing in

At the end of the trial on the morning of April 21, the Trial Panel continued to seize two albino Hermès bags that Ms. Truong My Lan (Chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat) wanted to keep as souvenirs. The Trial Panel determined that these were assets obtained from criminal proceeds, so they continued to be seized to ensure the execution of the judgment.

During the September 27, 2024 trial, Ms. Truong My Lan attracted attention when she requested to get back two Birkin Himalayas. This design is famously difficult to own, due to its scarcity and high price.

According to a report by luxury accessories platform Rebag, the Hermès Birkin is the number one bag that will retain its value in 2024, with a retention rate of 250%. Meanwhile, Vestiaire, a platform for buying and selling pre-owned luxury and designer fashion, says that depending on your budget, a Birkin is always a good investment.

The Birkin Himalaya is the ultimate symbol of the artistry and tradition of the renowned Hermès brand (Photo: Christie's).

Are designer handbags worth investing in?

In a late March article, CNBC reported that designer handbags have outperformed other collectibles, increasingly being seen as a potential investment in the eyes of consumers and analysts.

According to a separate 2022 study by Credit Suisse (Global Investment Bank), handbags are one of the least volatile and low-risk collectible assets.

Some designer handbags, especially classic and sought-after styles, are likely to retain or even increase in value over time. However, experts say they are not traditional investments like stocks or real estate.

For many people, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to luxury assets is art, jewelry, etc. But that definition is expanding.

Over the past two decades, luxury handbags have transformed from an accessory to “a uniquely women’s collectible category,” according to a 2020 report by Art Market Research.

The investment value of a handbag can be traced back to its quality. The brand name also plays an important role. In addition, the appeal of buying luxury goods lies not only in the return on investment, but also in the “joy of ownership”.

More remarkably, a handful of luxury handbags increase in value over time, rather than depreciating. Historically, only the Hermès Birkin and a small group of other designer handbags have retained their value close to 90% or higher.

Luxury resale sites like Rebag have recorded impressive appreciation in the value of these bags, cementing their place in the investment world.

A Hermès Birkin bag is displayed in the window of a KaDeWe department store in Berlin, Germany, in early January (Photo: Getty).

Unique and limited-edition luxury items can still increase in value. For example, the Hermès Birkin Himalaya Diamond bag sold in 2022 for $450,000 through a private auction.

Or the Hermès Birkin Himalaya 25 bag (the most sought-after size) sold for more than $300,000 (more than 7.7 billion VND) at Sotheby's in 2021.

Meanwhile, the retail price of a Hermès Birkin Himalaya 25 bag is $50,000-70,000 (about 1.3-1.8 billion VND) in stores, prices vary by country. The larger the bag, the higher the price.

Hermès, Dior bags and luxury items worth investing in

In today’s economic climate, many individuals around the world are looking for more stable and safe alternatives to invest in. Some of the most sought-after investments in the fashion industry have long included Rolex watches and the iconic Birkin handbag.

"With the value of a Birkin bag said to double every five years, some say the bag is a steadier investment than gold," Fashion United magazine said in a recent article.

However, in new research from leather goods company NYC Leather Jackets, a designer handbag has seen the highest value growth over the past decade, beating out the famous Birkin bag for the top spot.

This analysis measures the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) at launch, the average resale price in 2025, 10-year Google search trends, and changes in MSRP.

Topping the chart is the Dior Saddle Bag, launched in 1999 for $1,100.

A decade ago, this bag sold for $3,350. Ten years later, the suggested retail price has hit $4,400, with the average resale value for the first model being $3,500.

Ranking of the fashion items that have increased in value the most in the past decade (Photo: NYC Leather Jackets).

The Hermès Kelly handbag is ranked third, introduced in 1935 for $900.

Currently, the average retail price for the original Kelly model is $37,548. Over the 10-year period (2015-2025), the suggested retail price of the bag has changed significantly, from $6,220 to $10,000.

The coveted Birkin bag ranked fifth in value growth over the past decade.

The design originally cost $2,000, the highest starting price of any item studied. The Birkin bag is now worth $13,300, making it the most expensive fashion item on the list. The bag has the highest Google search score on the list at an impressive 98.

In 2nd and 4th place are Rolex Submariner and Omega Speedmaster watches. In addition, the Louis Vuitton Keepall, Chanel 2.55, Fendi Baguette, Gucci Jackie Bag and Cartier Love Bracelet are also named in the ranking.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/tui-hermes-ba-truong-my-lan-xin-lai-va-cac-mon-do-hieu-xung-dang-de-dau-tu-20250428090540842.htm