LONDON.- Bonhams is accessorising its luxury division with an all-new designer handbag and fashion department at its Knightsbridge saleroom. The department launched today, 6 January 2020, with its first sale scheduled for April.

The new department’s auctions will offer pre-owned/collectors contemporary and vintage handbags, costume jewellery, luggage and classic fashion pieces, showcasing luxury labels from Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada, to name a few.

Four sales per year will be held, each offering between 200 and 300 lots appealing to both fashionistas and collectors. Two will be live auctions held at Bonhams Knightsbridge saleroom, taking place on 22 April and 23 September, with a further two online-only sales.

New Team
The sales will be curated to reflect current market trends and fashions by a new team of designer handbag and fashion specialists. Meg Randell, who heads the new department and will take the auctions, has worked for a number of auction houses over her career, most recently setting up designer handbag and fashion sales for Chiswick Auctions.

Fellow specialist, Winnie McGee, also brings more than 20 years’ experience from the world of vintage fashion and auction houses, including as a specialist at Chiswick Auctions. Together with Meg Randell, she will be offering consignment and collecting advice and expert in-house authentication to vendors and bidders.

According to GlobalData, the pre-owned market for all luxury goods is set to be worth $51 billion by 2023, over double its $24 billion value in 2018. This will be driven by various factors including increasing social-consciousness and environmental concerns of consumers - and the scarcity of coveted pieces, such as the Hermès Birkin bag, that command long waiting lists when brand new.

Jon Baddeley, Managing Director Bonhams Knightsbridge, said: “We are delighted to announce this new venture which will complement our other luxury departments, including watches and jewellery. We warmly welcome Meg Randell and Winnie McGee to the Bonhams family and look forward to offering the world-class Bonhams service to a new clientele.”