Regenerative Fashion: A Look at the Luxury Bag Resale Market
By Savannah Love ‘25
Pieces from David’s bag collection
Photos by Savannah Love
Dior, Chanel, Gucci, and Prada are some of the most recognizable names in the fashion world. Known for their highly desired silhouettes and unattainable price tags, these fashion houses dominate both the new and resale market. Over the years, luxury items have gained status as alternative investments. It’s a classic case of supply and demand—when a popular item becomes more challenging to source, its value increases far beyond the initial retail price. Recently, demand for luxury goods has skyrocketed, and the global secondhand luxury market was worth around $55 billion in 2025 (1).
To many, a luxury purchase is a dream come true. A trip into a high-end store may leave a significant hole in your wallet, but it will surely provide instant gratification. The more desired your item is, the longer it will take to get it in-store. The most notorious process is buying a Hermès Birkin or Kelly; acquiring these bags can take anywhere from a few months to several years. Furthermore, consumers get caught up in the Hermès shopping scheme of building a repertoire with Hermès by buying their other luxury items in order to be considered for one of these bags. It is an intense and expensive process.
On the other hand, shoppers interested in buying a pre-loved bag can explore the luxury resale market. The most notable secondhand websites include The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective, FarFetch, and Rebag. If these sites don’t have the items you are looking for, you might find yourself in the Wild West of Facebook Marketplace or eBay. However, with dedication and commitment, anyone can find their dream bag.
The online marketplace boom has allowed luxury shoppers to obtain products from every corner of the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Middlebury student Maya David fell in love with this sourcing process. This past October, Clover had the opportunity to interview David about her collection. Each of her approximately 40 bags has a unique story—all of which David can articulate in great detail. Her unique passion for luxury resale has led David to launch her own resale & rental site called Planet Rouge. Through this platform, customers can buy directly from her collection or rent a bag for a particular occasion. We asked David to share her story and explain what inspired her to participate in the world of luxury resale.
In Her Own Words
By Maya David ‘24.5
“Oh god, here comes the fashion police” are words I heard all too often as I strutted through my childhood home in princess heels and makeshift dresses. My family claims that when I didn’t approve of an outfit, I would run to their closets to find a better option. My passion for fashion was undoubtedly apparent from a young age.
I started collecting shoes in 2019, but I didn’t buy my first bag until December 2nd, 2022. I remember the moment well because it was a Christmas gift to myself and the catalyst of my shopping addiction. One 90s Mugler bag turned into a collection of 40+ vintage designer bags from Mugler, Dior, Gucci, Fendi, and Chanel. In just 2 years, I ended up with one of the most coveted collections of rare and iconic pieces.
I started sourcing bags out of a love for fashion and a desire to create an archive. I choose bags based on the fashion house, designer, history, and pop culture that surround them. My “roman empire” is not the Roman Empire at all, but rather the Library of Alexandria, which is pretty Roman Empire-adjacent... but I digress. Thinking about all the knowledge and history that was lost physically pains me. This combined with my love of fashion has granted me a passion for preserving these vintage designer items. Fashion is art, fashion is culture, and fashion is political. It tells a story that considers the designer, the current state of the world, and several other sources of inspiration. I mean, there’s a reason the fashion world knew Trump was going to be re-elected… Ralph Lauren and Americana, the “trad wife” aesthetic, quiet luxury, and hyper-femininity are all recent trends that point to a rise in conservatism. If you want to know what’s next, look at the fashion trends. Fashion is history and history should be preserved, so I’m doing what I can.
Footnotes:
1) Claudia D’Arpizio, et al. “Luxury in Transition: Securing Future Growth.” Bain & Company, 2025.