How badly do you want it? - Handbag Designer 101

Bag Trends: How badly do you want it?

With the cost of an exotic bag on par with that of a new car without a down payment - is it worth all the skin you have?


The Row Python Tall Day Tote, $19,000 Barneys.com		Valextra Namaste Big Hobo, $24,080 Barneys.com		Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Crocodile, $14,400 Barneys.com

The cost of an exotic skin is more than leather in most cases. Most successful designers who work with exotics own their own farms which is why those from Colombia typically fair better in this market (think Nancy Gonzalez...)

However, it is a tall order to be able to determine how many pieces in fact one should create at such a steep prize. An skin of a crocodile could be used to make an entire clutch or even a larger bag as we have seen in the past so the wastage is less if you are strategic. That said, the perceived value of these skins allows most designers an unusually high markup which would explain these mildly high prices. Just assume that the whole sale price was at least 60% off the retail and you are still looking at an expensive cost per piece. So - think twice before you make this kind of investment from the B2B or B2C spectrum.

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