IS THE ERA OF ‘IT’ BAGS OVER?
Every major luxury house brings out an accessory, which ends up being the hero product of the season, and goes on to achieve a cult status. Be it the Birkin bag, Goyard tote, Issey Miyake Bao Bao or the Fendi baguette — every fashion era sees the birth of an ‘it’ bag. However, this obsession with bags may falter in the post-pandemic world, with buyers focusing on sustainable practices.
“There will be a shift towards accessories that are well-considered, locally made with a strong flavour of India, and with top-drawer quality. Brands that tell a compelling story of their mission, creating bags and shoes that can be styled all year round, are sure to remain popular. Everyone would like to invest in modern heirlooms rather than fleeting trends,” says Ayushi Kanoi, founder of an accessories label.
The era of luxury bags and shoes is not over, but it has surely taken a back seat for now. “Not only because consumers will have to prioritise their buying pattern, but also because it’s a consumer’s responsibility to support local brands to uplift the economy. Almost all luxury brands are from Europe, and now it’s the time to go local and support Indian brands,” says designer Nikita Mhaisalkar.
“We’ve had pandemics and crisis before, like the Great Depression, but nothing hanged. The ‘it’ bag was bought then and will be purchased in future, too. Have clients become more conscious? The answer is yes. Will they remain so for good? No. That’s just human psyche,” quips designer Swapnil Shinde.