Cultivating a closet with some timeless luxury classics that stand the test of time at just twenty-five years of age is quite an accomplishment. What would such a closet be more notable than the fact that all the luxury purchases have been made solely through digital content creation? Luxury influencer Ishita Chopraa has been an avid collector of luxury bags–from Lady Dior to Hermès Kelly. Over the last three years, she’s purchased eight Lady Dior bags with the money she makes through her luxury blog. ELLE caught up with the influencer, who divides her time between New Delhi and Mumbai.
ELLE: What was your first luxury bag purchase?
Ishita Chopraa (IC): I bought a Fendi wallet on the chain when I was nineteen. I was in college and the bag fit into my budget then. Needless to say, Fendi has the best leather in the world, and I still cherish it.
ELLE: Today, the luxury market is inundated with multiple bag choices–from Bottega Andiamo to Fendi Peekaboo to Kelly. What would be your suggestion for Gen Z luxury consumers who are starting to cultivate their closets?
IC: The rotation of ‘It bags’ has been so rapid of late that one needs to be conscious about the longevity of the pieces while making a purchase. Every season, luxury brands introduce an ‘It bag’, and soon, the hype associated with it fizzles out. I’d suggest sticking to the classics from Chanel, Dior, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton–something you’ll not get bored of in a few seasons. For instance, a beautiful Fendi baguette is a great investment and stays relevant irrespective of the seasons. Hence, making a mindful luxury purchase is imperative. Moreover, indulge in exceptional quality leather and in a colour that suits your style. I remember I bought a Lady Dior bag in cherry red four years ago for Rs 2.5 lakhs, and right now, it is valued at around approximately Rs 6 lakhs. Also, the cherry red colour is currently big across the brands. This piece may not have been an ‘It bag’ then, but it’s easily one right now. Hence, it’s crucial to invest in a timeless classic. A YSL bag in patent leather also looks incredible!
ELLE: What would be your advice to anyone looking at buying a hard-to-get Kelly or a Birkin?
IC: Honestly, I managed to score a Hermès Kelly because of the great relationship I shared with my Sales Associate (SA). So a good relationship with your SA tops everything. You can spend crores of rupees and yet nothing may be offered to you. Each Hermès SA gets an x number of bags every season. I wouldn’t recommend anyone spending a lot of money to procure a Hermes bag.
ELLE: What’s your take on the pre-loved luxury market?
IC: As of now, India isn’t a great market for pre-loved goods. Also, it’s too expensive. Currently, I’m eyeing an Hermès and a vintage Chanel. For exclusive pieces like these, apps like Real Real are the best bets.
ELLE: Does it make sense to shop luxury here as opposed to Europe, where you get a tax refund?
IC: Obviously, if you want to save up on taxes, then you should shop abroad. However, I prefer shopping for luxury goods back home as I share a great rapport with my SA. Having said that, India is a great market for real classic pieces–like the Chanel mini flap. Chanel introduced a satin and pearl bag a few years ago that was sold out all over the world but available at The Chanakya Mall in New Delhi.
