Designer bag rental services are emerging as an affordable way to keep up with mercurial fashion trends.

Fans of designer items know how ridiculously high the prices for luxury bags can be, and now the prices are rising more than ever.

French luxury brand Chanel has increased the price of its products by an average of 60% since 2019.

Classic Chanel bags now range from $8,200 to $100,000 (RM34,200 to RM417,900), and second-hand items aren’t exactly cheap either, costing between 70 million and 100 million rupees (RM20,441). and RM29,201).

But that hasn’t stopped luxury brand stalwarts from sporting their favorite handbags.

Bag rental services are not new to the fashion world, but globally the pandemic has brought them many new customers.

In the UK, a bag rental service called Cocoon has increased its membership by 200%.

Edha Laureen Clarissa, founder of an Indonesian bag rental service called Lavergne, said her customers mostly ask about brands that are popular with the public, such as Chanel or Christian Dior.

Edha’s clients are people whose financial situation is not yet stable.

“Most people who inquire about the rental are in their 20s or 30s,” Edha said, adding that they “usually rent the bags for events like arisan (rotating social gatherings).”

Feni Arista Daniati has been lending bags since 2018.

She says only a few brands remain lendable for the long haul in the rapidly changing fashion landscape.

“The rental option not only allows me to keep up with trends, but also helps me avoid buying fake luxury goods,” said online store owner Cicilia Citra.

“If you look at the price, fakes aren’t cheap either.” — Jakarta Post/ANN