Clothes as collectables
For any devout follower of fashion, September is the highlight of the year as designers take their Spring collections to the runways. As the fashion world gathers in New York for the first of the shows, we look at the increase in demand for exclusivity in clothing and couture.
The value of an item tends to be determined by how much a person is willing to pay for it, and fashion is no exception. With the growth in stylish clothing at an affordable cost on the high street, many shoppers are now looking for greater exclusivity for their wardrobe. As a result, rare and appealing vintage clothing is seeing a surge in demand, and in some cases, in value as well.
For example, the growing demand for one-of-a-kind pieces is creating a market for items such as Levis jeans from the 1950s and refurbished Rolexes. Handmade items, vintage designer handbags and elegant evening gowns also tend to be popular among collectors.
Sometimes a turn of events can affect the value of clothing. Versace dresses from before Gianni Versace’s 1997 murder, for example, are likely to be more valuable than those designed afterwards. Iconic pieces can also attract demand; the dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffanies went for £457,200 at auction in December 2006, more than six times the expected price.
Despite the rise in value of certain items of clothing, it is still, however, not considered an investment. While during Fashion Week you may be able to pick up on the trends for next season, predicting what will be valuable in the future is not so easy. Like most collectables, the general consensus is to buy what you love and if it increases in value then that is a bonus.
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