When you buy luxury items, surely you think of their value long-term? Well, not all luxury pieces will provide you a return on your investment as the seasons change. Michael Zahariev, the co-founder of Luxity, shared 5 pieces that will retain their style and ‘investment portfolio value’ in the years to come. 
1) Chanel Classic Flap Bags
One of, if not the most iconic Chanel handbags was initially designed in 1955 and continues to be sold to this day. The bag has been shown to have a better return than gold due to the high demand and ever-increasing price. A new Classic Medium flap in 2021 would have set you back R32 000, currently, they retail for R140 000 new and R120 000 pre-owned.
2) Hermès Birkin
The invention of the Birkin bag is the result of the chance meeting in 1983 between actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, the then creative director of Hermès. The two were seated next to each other on an international flight when the contents spilt out of Birkin’s straw bag. Birkin complained to Dumas that it was impossible to find a leather weekend bag she liked. Dumas introduced himself and the pair spent the flight sketching possible handbag designs on the back of an aeroplane sick bag. A year later, Dumas presented her with the Birkin bag, a spacious yet sophisticated leather design perfect for everyday use.
Soon, the bag became a coveted accessory, and it has been reported that the value of these bags has increased by 560% over the past 35 years, equating to a 16% rise per year. Black Birkins are particularly valuable, increasing in value by an average of 18% annually.
3) Hermes Kelly
Dubbed the Birkin’s older sister, the handbag’s origins date back to 1852 with the launch of the Haut à Courroies (HAC) bag which was used to protect and transport saddles and riding boots. In the 1930s, it was reinterpreted as a luxury handbag, the Sac à Dépêches, by Robert Dumas who designed its signature trapezoid shape with two triangular gussets, a cut-out flap, a handle and two side straps. It is constructed from 36 pieces of leather and 680 stitches by a single artisan over the course of 18 to 24 hours.
The bag gained instant international fame when Grace Kelly reportedly used it to conceal the early signs of her pregnancy from the paparazzi. In 1977, Hermès renamed the bag the ‘Kelly’ as a nod to the actress-turned-princess.
Since its original release, the Kelly has taken on a number of new forms. In 2020, a version of the bag, the Hermès Kelly Rose Gold, which is made from 1,600 diamonds and genuine rose gold moulded to resemble crocodile leather, sold for R34 million.
4) Louis Vuitton Favourite
The favourite was originally released as part of the Louis Vuttion basic collection in 2005 and survived a multitude of rereleases and changes in design until finally being discontinued in 2020.
This bag is highly versatile and sort after due to its small size and two straps. Since being discontinued the favourite has grown year on year in price and is a great entry-level investment at roughly retailing for R18 000 pre-owned in good condition.
5) Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessories
The Multi Pochette Accessoires is a hybrid cross-body bag with multiple pockets and compartments that brings together a Pochette Accessoires, a Mini Pochette Accessoires and a Round Coin Purse. Although the item was only introduced in 2019 its high popularity has led to it being very difficult if not impossible to source new. It is rarely ever available, which has resulted in a new Multi Pochette Accessories selling at or above current retail on the second-hand market.
