In recent years, multiple platforms have emerged to facilitate the buying and selling of luxury items. In 2022, Amazon introduced its Luxury Stores in Europe, offering designer fashion with authenticity guarantees. Similarly, eBay extended its authentication services for handbags over £500, while Vinted launched an optional verification for designer goods. These platforms are capitalizing on the booming second-hand luxury market, joining established names like Vestiaire Collective, The RealReal, and Watchfinder & Co.

According to Bain & Company, the luxury resale market is set to reach $64 billion by 2025, growing twice as fast as the overall fashion industry. In 2023 alone, about $49.3 billion worth of pre-owned luxury items were sold globally.

Consumers have various reasons for buying second-hand, including sustainability. Fashion production accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions. This environmental concern is pushing more shoppers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, towards second-hand options. As of 2021, 42% of these groups were likely to shop pre-owned, according to Statista.

There’s also the affordability factor. Brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton have seen significant drops in resale value. For instance, Louis Vuitton handbags lose around 40% of their value when resold. On the flip side, items like Hermès bags or Rolex watches often appreciate, with resale prices exceeding their original value, making them a potential investment.

Second-hand marketplaces typically follow a consumer-to-consumer (C2C) model, where individuals sell items directly to each other. However, ensuring authenticity remains a key challenge. Platforms like eBay, Vestiaire Collective, and Vinted have introduced verification processes to address counterfeiting concerns, boosting consumer trust.

Although luxury brands have been cautious about the resale market due to concerns over exclusivity and counterfeiting, many are now viewing it as an opportunity. Some brands have started collaborating with second-hand platforms to maintain control over their products. For instance, Burberry partners with Vestiaire Collective, and Stella McCartney encourages consigning her designs on The RealReal. These collaborations not only support ethical consumption but also help brands protect their image.

Brands can engage with the resale market in several ways. Some, like Rolex, have launched their own resale programs to authenticate and sell pre-owned items, while others, like Gucci, have established vintage hubs to sell restored pieces. Other brands have invested in second-hand platforms or created programs where customers can resell their luxury items for store credit.

The luxury resale market presents a complex challenge: while it can dilute a brand’s exclusivity, ignoring it could mean losing out on a growing customer base. Ultimately, luxury brands must find a way to engage with this market, whether through partnerships or in-house resale programs, all while encouraging sustainable consumer habits.

Forget diamonds; a girl’s best friend is the perfect bag. Whether you favor the sleek sophistication of Saint Laurent, the effortless chic designs of The Row, or are a bag charm aficionado, everyone has that one cherished go-to bag. Our favorite celebrity It-girls continue to lead handbag trends with their coveted arm candies.

One standout bag this season is the Saint Laurent Le 5 à 7 Supple. With its sleek design and buttery soft leather, it’s no surprise it’s a favorite, recently spotted on Blackpink's Rosé. Her style highlights the bag’s versatility, making it an essential accessory that transitions effortlessly from day to night. As a Saint Laurent ambassador, Rosé often showcases the brand's bags, epitomizing elegance and modernity.

The term "investment buy" is often used in fashion, especially with luxury handbags. The Le 5 à 7, introduced in the spring-summer 2021 collection, has all the makings of a cult classic: functionality, versatility, and a timeless minimalist silhouette. The Supple version, designed as the ultimate everyday bag, features spacious interiors, a luxurious suede lining, and an adjustable strap, with the recognizable Cassandre hardware as a clasp.

Celebrities like Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber, Rosé, and rapper Chaeyoung have all been seen with the Le 5 à 7 Supple, solidifying its status as a must-have designer bag. Let their impeccable style inspire your next fashion endeavor as we delve into a gallery of the latest must-have bags, from chic classics to edgy statement pieces, showcasing the transformative power of a well-chosen accessory.

The Timeless Celine Nino Bag: A Blend of History and Modern Elegance

The Triomphe logo has always been central to Hedi Slimane's designs at Celine. When he joined the House in 2018, he immediately revived this iconic emblem, redesigning it on his very first day.

The Triomphe's story dates back to 1971, when Celine Vipiana’s car broke down near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. She noticed the intricate chain links on the monument, which inspired the pattern that would become synonymous with Celine.

Under Hedi Slimane's leadership, the Triomphe logo has become Celine’s most important symbol, appearing in new and exciting ways each season. For Winter 2024, a new classic was born with La Collection De L’Arc De Triomphe.

Classic Design with a Modern Twist

This collection beautifully pays tribute to the 1960s, a golden era for the brand. The Nino bag, adorned with the iconic Triomphe logo, is a standout piece that perfectly captures this blend of past and present.

The Nino is a stylish, modern bag that complements the collection’s ready-to-wear pieces. Its design balances sleek, classic appeal with a chic, casual vibe, a combination Hedi Slimane has mastered.

The Nino's creation is steeped in tradition, using techniques that give it a distinct, structured yet supple shape. This design makes the bag versatile, easily dressed up or down, thanks to its feminine top handle and relaxed body.

The Versatile Celine Nino

The Nino bag shines in its versatility. It comes in two sizes—Teen and Medium—both offering ample interior space. The bag features a center-zipped pocket that divides the interior into two compartments, with additional flat pockets for organization.

Designed as a true top-handle bag, the Nino exudes French sophistication but also includes a longer strap for shoulder or crossbody wear. Available in smooth calfskin, Triomphe canvas, and patent leather, the Nino is set to become a timeless staple in your wardrobe.

Explore the full range of the Nino collection at Celine.

She is the first woman to represent the UAE at the global competition and beat 45 others to this year's title.

“It's so overwhelming,” Kamstra, 36, tells The National. "And I couldn't believe that I would be the person that will bring this crown to the UAE. And on top of that, this is the year of sustainability, which is a big, big thing for us.

“I'm feeling grateful. And I'm feeling very happy, and successful. I want to be one of the winners who can be an inspiration for many other girls and many other kids who want to represent their country.”

The environmental-focused Mrs Earth contest is not affiliated with Miss Earth, which has been held since 2001.

Last year, Kamstra became the first woman to represent the UAE at the Mrs World contest, which the organisation says “celebrates the uniqueness of married women”. The beauty queen, who is originally from India and a mother of two, has lived in the UAE for 15 years.

She was among 72 contestants vying for the crown, and was named second runner-up. Mrs America Shaylyn Ford won the contest, followed by Mrs Jordan Jaclyn Stapp as the first runner-up.

Kamstra says that falling short of winning didn’t deter her from wanting to try again and that her past pageantry experience greatly helped.

“The time was so short from the time of winning to the global pageant that I did not get enough time to prepare as much as I did for Mrs World,” she says. “But thank God all the training I had for Mrs World was instilled within my system. So it was easy for me to work walk on stage, however, it was a lot of pressure.”

She only had a few days to prepare for Mrs Earth and used the same national costume she wore for Mrs World. Filipino designer Cary Santiago, who created the falcon-inspired dress, previously told The National it was a nod to the UAE's national bird as well as Dubai's reputation as a “city of gold”.

Kamstra will soon begin her duties, which include championing sustainability and the environment as well as doing charity work. Although she says she isn't revealing her future plans just yet, she says she is confident the platform is one that the UAE will be proud of.

Now that she is Mrs Earth, she has also shared her advice for other women looking to follow in her footsteps. She says it is important to remember competing is more than merely looks.