Sigh...saying goodbye is never easy. Though as heartbreaking as it is, it's inevitable that all good things must come to an end. It's a painful experience that no one enjoys going through, but such is life.
Just kidding. If you're in the reselling business then saying goodbye to your fave handbags isn't such a tragedy. We like to think that we create happy endings and not sad ones. Whether you're selling a bag and moving on to the newest one that's caught your eye, or buying your dream accessory that sold out in stores last season, or even just living your life as a conscious consumer, reselling companies offer the best of both worlds.
The greatest thing about the reselling industry is that you never truly have to say goodbye to your favourite fashion styles. Though fashion is constantly recycling trends from previous eras, there's something special about a specific piece from a specific time period. From the Dior Saddle bag to the iconic Fendi Baguette, bags can always be revamped and modernized on the current runways, but the vintage ones just feels so much more...genuine.
The pieces that we hold nearest and dearest to our hearts are the ones that we actually won't see on the shelves again. Bags that, despite their popularity, eventually ran their course. It's true when they say that icons never die, this is evident when it comes to timeless classics that sadly, were discontinued. The Chanel GST is a prime example of this. Absolutely adored by all, the brand decided to discontinue it in 2015. To say that all hell broke lose would be an understatement. People rioted. Torches were held outside 31 Rue Cambon. Distant whimpers and faint cries could be heard along Bond Street and Sloane Ave. It was more or less a global crisis that Chanel enthusiasts are still recovering from. Though the blow was heavy, GST fanatics, luckily, have places like us. The bag may be unavailable in Chanel boutiques, but its perhaps the most coveted and in-demand handbag in the reselling industry as has been for quite some time.
Another discontinued piece that we truly cherish is the Céline Trapeze - and yes, we did mean CÉline. If you're a Philophile and are still grieving the death of the Céline we all loved so dearly, then investing in a Phoebe Philo classic is basically the only thing that could potentially fill the void. The Trapeze debuted in 2010 and was beloved by the fashion lovers and insiders around the world. "Where in the world is Phoebe Philo?" is the ever-looming question we're all asking - and with Hedi Slimane holding the creative reigns of the French fashion house, we feel the need to keep the true Céline alive.
Though not one specific model stands out from this collection, it's safe to say we all miss Louis Vuitton's Multicolore line. The discontinuation of this collection truly signified the end of an It-bag era. Embodying early 2000s luxury fashion, the Multicolore collection was a collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami and was swept away from the shelves and runways in July 2015. People adored the signature LVs depicted in different colours given how playful and joyous it was in comparison to the signature brown monogram canvas. So when the tragic news broke that the brand would no longer be continuing the line, we reluctantly bid adieu to the Multicolore with a heavy heart. Mini Multicolore Speedy's, Trouville's, Pochettes and small accessories can still be found in select resellers around the world, but they're never around for long. Souvenirs are precious - so if you're a collector and in desperate need of something to represent the early 2000s era, then basically investing in anything Multicolore is necessary.
Another honorary mention is the Balenciaga Giant 21 Hardware debuted in 2007 and sadly is no longer available. Though it’s not a massive loss given that the brand reintroduced more or less the same bag but with smaller hardware in 2012. Yes, the 2012 version is the acclaimed City bag that we all know and love. However, if you found yourself exclaiming “but wait! What about me?! I’m an edgy little rock chick that lives and breathes for chunky hardware and large studs! What am I supposed to do?!” then don’t fret. It broke our hearts a little bit too, so we feel your pain. Thank God for resellers! Plus, it’s always nice to have the OG Balenciaga bag as opposed to the remake. Also, let’s not forget about the fact that the brand released this model in basically every single colour under the sun. So if you’re into ripped fishnets, vintage Doc Martins and underground rock concerts in Shoreditch but low-key love hot pink then you don’t have to worry about choosing between the two.
We can’t deny the fact that we’re glad to have seen the passing of a few handbag lines, but at the end of the day, specific models hold special places in all of our hearts. Even if we no longer see them in stores, we think it’s important to keep heritage and history alive. Keep an eye out for your fave handbag at your fave reseller, which is us obviously. ;)
