The chic designer bags sported by players as they arrive at stadiums for high-profile games have helped soaring values and sparked a rush to cash in on the accessories, according to a leading UK pawnbroker.
Hundreds of the bags, ranging from hand-helds to holdalls with shoulder straps, are being offered to James Constantinou’s eight high-end shops as clients look to score funds from their rising appeal.
England’s stars have been among those driving the trend, with Marcus Rashford spotted carrying the unreleased Palace x England bag. Eberechi Eze opted for a Burberry Holdall in the brand’s iconic plaid, Ethan Nwaneri pictured with a smooth brown leather Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière, Ivan Toney carrying both a Hermès Birkin HAC A Dos PM and a Hermès Birkin, while Ollie Watkins travelled with the sought-after Hermès Birkin HAC 50.
“The market has been growing over the last 18 months and the World Cup has caused a big surge,” he says. “We have grown accustomed to seeing the biggest names in football arriving for games with statement bags by Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Goyard and the fans have followed their lead.
“England’s players have been at the heart of that trend, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze, Ethan Nwaneri, Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins all showcasing luxury travel bags during the tournament.
“But, in these tough economic times, we are experiencing a substantial rise in the number of men bringing their bags into our stores. They are looking at what they own and realising they are sitting on thousands of pounds’ worth of luxury goods.
“When someone’s budget becomes tighter, designer bags are one of the easiest luxury assets to sell because there’s always demand for the right brands.”
Re-sale prices are healthy across all man bags, with rarer models even rising in value, such as the Hermès Birkin HAC 50 carried by Manchester City and Norway star Erling Haaland. Which has soared from a £30,000 retail value to around £40,000 on the resale market because the line was discontinued.
Constantinou, who starred in the Channel 4 hit series Posh Pawn, now sees an average of 100 Louis Vuitton bags and up to 40 pre-loved Hermès man bags coming into his Prestige Pawn stores each month.
“When you see the world’s biggest football names carrying these brands, it gives them a wider appeal than just the fashion market,” he said. “Every major sporting event creates trends and this World Cup has reinforced what was already in motion. Man bags are now valuable assets because they are super practical as well as having style appeal.
“There’s no doubt that football, and the World Cup in particular, has helped put man bags at the forefront of people’s minds and created a very active market with high demand from buyers, so it is a good time to realise their value.”
Constantinou’s premium approach to the traditional pawnbroking industry was featured in the reality TV hit Posh Pawn, which ran for seven series and helped his business become a multi-million-pound enterprise.
He specialises in high-end pawnbroking across all market sectors and has been offered astonishing items including a mini submarine, planes and yachts, as well as a Swarovski crystal drum kit used on a Kylie Minogue tour.