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FASHION ACCESSORIES & FINE JEWELRY/APPAREL
Handbags? You just gotta have ’em. “Women might not wear jewelry or
scarves on a daily basis as they aren’t always necessary but we will always have our handbags to carry all our prized possessions,” says Kailynn Kinney of Steve Madden and Betsey Johnson handbags.
Collectible cachet
Even better, each can make its own dramatic or subdued
fashion statement, which means purses often are coveted collectibles.
What makes a handbag a collectible? Shoppers will need to know what sets this handbag apart from the rest, says Mary Frances Shaffer of Mary Frances Accessories.
“You can walk into any department store and see all the basic handbags that can have function but that are not
unique,” Shaffer says. “A collectible is something that
you are truly proud to wear and has a story to tell. It is a conversation piece and something that resonates with you. A collectible handbag is one with artistic flair that you want to pass down through the generations, give as gifts
to friends or to yourself,” Shaffer adds.
Remember: Fashions fade, but style never will, Kinney
points out. This means if retailers believe a particular handbag line will do well in their store, it usually will. But the fashion will not always be around. “I encourage retail buyers to purchase while they can because once you walk out the door, there is no guarantee that style will come back around.” >
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