What is it with ladies and handbags?

We all know that women love handbags, but just why do they love it so much? It can't be generic, as handbags have only been around for about 150years. The handbag fashion only really started in the late nineteenth century but it was not until around 1920 that handbags or bags became an essential item of a woman's wardrobe.

Louis Vuitton was the first manufacturer of designer bags. Since he started it, a lot of others have jumped on the designer bandwagon, no doubt seeing a good opportunity to make a lot of money by turning what should be just an ordinary utilitarian article into a prized object of fantasies and dreams. Why is a designer bag so expensive?

Back in the day, luxury items came in the form of jewelry and vehicles. These days, luxury has invaded women’s accessories. The following bags are not just made by high-end fashion houses, they happen to be the most expensive purses ever made and sold today. A couple of these cost more than a million dollars. Yes, more than a few decent homes. Most people would wonder who would pay for these. But really, if you have money to burn, why not burn them on pretty things, right?

1. 1001 Nights Diamond Purse

The price tag? $3.8 million. That’s right, that much for a handbag this small. This was designed by the House of Mouawad (based in Dubai). This features 4,500 diamonds with a total carat weight of 381 carats. A hundred and five of the diamonds are yellow, 56 are pink, and the rest are colourless. It took 10 artisans four months to finish. If you think these are perfectly great reasons to shell out $3.8 million, then by all means, get this beautiful purse. Take note though, you will need to spend more money to keep this purse secure in your home or while you’re using it.

2. Hermes Birkin by Ginza Tanaka

Another small bag encrusted with diamonds and with an asking price bigger than an average person could ever hope to earn in his lifetime. This was sold a couple of years ago for $1.9 million. Today, the value of this bag has most likely increased. The body of this bag is made of platinum. It has more than 2,000 diamonds. The center diamond is pear-shaped and has 8 carats. Since this purse is so small, you can wear it as a necklace. The pear-shaped diamond can also be detached and be worn as an accessory.

3. Chanel Diamond Forever Classic

Of course, the third most expensive bag is designed with diamonds, too. It makes sense because this perfectly combines two of what women love: bags and diamonds. This particular purse has 334 diamonds amounting to 3.56 carats. This also has white gold platinum (18 carats) and beautiful white alligator skin. Adding to the astronomical price tag is the fact that only 13 of the bags were made. The price? A whopping $260,150.


4. Lana Marks “Queen” Cleopatra

Every year, only one Cleopatra purse is made by this company. The one pictured here was the $250,000 beauty that was created several years back. It was encrusted with diamonds (of course) and made of white alligator skin. Other Lana Marks Cleopatra bags carry $100,000 price tags. Aside from the materials and rarity of the purses, the extravagant prices are also due to the facts that they look incredibly classy and elegant and they have become quite popular among equally elegant celebrities. Helen Mirren wore the $250,000 Lana Marks Cleopatra Clutch at the 2007 Academy Awards. Lana only allows one star per year to carry her handmade diamond studded designs down the crimson carpet. How snooty is that?

5. Louis Vuitton Urban Satchel

Priced at $150,000, this is a handbag that will make most people scratch their head. How anyone will find this truly worth the price is beyond most people. One look at it and you’ll think “trash” or something like that but apparently, there was a method to how they came up with this design. This Louie Vuitton Urban Satchel Bag is created from all sorts of urban junk e.g. cigarette packets, water bottle, tea bags and band aid. Only 12 were ever made and most of them are owned by celebrities now. Does this prove that most celebrities have no taste? Or that a top brand can slack off on design as long as it has loyal customers?

6. Hermes Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag

Named after British singer/actress Jane Birkin. This sells for $120,000 and features diamonds as well. This design and label already exude wealth and extravagance but this matte beauty tops the Birkin bag cake. The diamonds of this bag can be found on the clasp. This is also made of beautiful alligator leather. For those who have more than a hundred thousand dollars to burn, you can take this handbag home. For those who can only spend several thousand dollars, there are much cheaper versions of the bag for sale starting around $5,000. These don’t have diamonds, of course.

7. Leiber Precious Rose Bag

Judith Leiber is a popular name associated with eye-catching crystal-encrusted bags. This particular bag is shaped like the perfect rose and has over 1,000 diamonds. They hold a total carat weight is 42.56. This bag was also designed with more than a thousand pink sapphires and 800 tourmalines. These precious stones and crystals alone are reasons enough for the asking price but you have to remember that there is only one Precious Rose bag in the world. Basically, with this bag in your hand, you are unique and yes, incredibly wealthy.

8. LV Tribute Patchwork

The main idea behind this bag was a combination of samples of other Louis Vuitton bags. That explains the name and the apparent multiply personality theme going on in these bags. The chain is made of gold. They do not exactly say high fashion or high end but the $42,000 price tag should make you think twice. The fact that no two Tribute Patchwork bags are the same also explains why this is part of this list. Only 24 were made. Twenty are available in Louis Vuitton stores in Europe and Asia but the four in the USA have already been sold. This bag has been seen being toted around by top celebrities.

9. Gadino Bag by Hilde Palladino

This gorgeous white bag features 39 diamonds. The designer of this luxurious bag wanted to make the general market (or those who can afford it) interested in the skills and methods of Italian bag-makers again. Only top quality leather, white gold, and precious stones were used to make this Gadino bag. For this reason, its $38,470 price doesn’t seem that insane. Of course, it does, to the general public. Still, if you can afford this handbag, getting it should no longer take very long consideration. With its color and design, this expensive accessory screams timeless and elegant.

10. Fendi Selleria

This is also a tote bag that one can wear every day or when one feels like a million bucks. This costs $38,000 and is made of high-grade leather. Made of sable and chinchilla, two of the world's rarest and most expensive animal skins. It's big enough to accommodate a wallet, keys, cell phone and makeup bag. It is also adorned with silver-colored metal hardware. This is the kind of bag fit for someone who has that classic style. With its simple design and great silhouette, this can definitely be considered an investment.

If you want to buy any of these expensive handbags then good luck. You may be able to find less expensive versions - the Hermes Birkin bag starts at only $5,000.