Sophie Higgs, Designer Collection Specialist at Fellows Auctioneers, has been taking us through some of the highlights in Fellows' upcoming auction.

We are very excited to have two very collectable, limited edition items in our upcoming Designer Collection auction. Lot 241 is a Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Brown Mini Monogram Satin Cherry Blossom Griotte handbag and Lot 242, which is a pair of Louis Vuitton Takashi Murakami Brown Monogram Satin Cherry Blossom peep-toe heeled pumps. A rare evening bag and a matching pair of shoes, both featuring Louis Vuitton’s monogram cherry blossom exterior, with red leather and silver metallic snakeskin trim, with Swarovski crystal detailing.

The Monogram Satin Cherry Blossom Collection

The Monogram Satin Cherry Blossom Collection was created as an evening line inspired by the limited edition 2003 Cherry Blossom Collection in collaboration with the Japanese pop artist, Takashi Murakami. Takashi Murakami is a famous Japanese contemporary artist who wanted to give some freshness and cheerfulness to the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram pattern which led to the creation of the Cherry Blossom Monogram Collection.

Having these extremely sought-after Takashi Murakami pieces in our Designer Collection auction is extremely special, especially as both items are in very good condition complete with their dust bags and boxes. The Hermès Constance handbag is a timeless classic, regarded as one of the most sought-after Hermès handbags alongside the Birkin, Kelly and Evelyn.

The Hermès Constance bag was designed in 1969 by Catherine Chaillet, and named after her daughter who was born in the same year. Taking up to 14 hours to create, the Hermès Constance bag is entirely hand stitched, crafted by a single, highly trained artisan in Paris, with every element thoroughly inspected before it is released.

The Constance is sleek, simple and elegant in its design. Instantly recognisable with a distinctive large H shaped buckle to the centre front. Its adjustable strap allows it to be carried easily on the shoulder or in the hand and creates the perfect transitional day to night bag.

Two vintage 23cms crocodile skin Constance handbags

Available in a variety of materials, hardware, colours, and sizes. The classic Constance 23cm has become very rare and very difficult to obtain. Fellows are very excited to boast two vintage 23cms crocodile skin Constance handbags going into the Designer Collection auction on the 24th February, and being crafted from exotic skins means they are even more exclusive and harder come by.

Lot 147 is a 1970s Hermès burgundy crocodile Constance 23 handbag and Lot 148 is 1979 Hermès black crocodile Constance 23 handbag, both with gold-tone hardware and complete with their original dust bags. These exceptionally rare handbags bags are two auction highlights that are bound to draw attention, true collectors items, not to be missed.

Featuring in this sale, we also have three HAC handbags - also known as the Haut à Courroies (High Belts in French). It was created in 1892 and so it’s much older than the Birkin bag which was created in 1982. The HAC and the Birkin look very similar, this is because the design of the Birkin was taken directly from the HAC. They have all of the same features but proportionally the HAC is taller with slightly shorter handles, this is because the original purpose of the Hermes HAC Bag was to transport riding equipment like saddle and boots. Today the larger sized HAC bag is seen more as travel bag rather than a handbag.

Matte black Porosus Crocodile Birkin HAC 40 handbag HERMÈS - a 2013 matte black Porosus Crocodile Birkin HAC 40 handbag

We have a very special Matte Porosus Crocodile Hac 40 handbag with ruthenium hardware in our upcoming Designer Collection auction. Ruthenium is a polished silver hardware, that is darker than the standard Palladium and much rarer to find. It is usually applied to custom bags or unique designs.

This HAC is impossible to get at Hermès boutiques in this size and Porosus skin. Known as the king of the exotics, Porosus Crocodile fetches the highest prices on the primary and secondary markets. The HAC handbag is an important piece of Hermès’ history as the details are not only directly seen in the Birkin bag but also in the Kelly. The bag is not easy to find, its limited in supply and the demand is as high as the Birkin so, with three Birkins and three HACs listed among the many other sought-after Hermès handbags that are due to sell in our Designer Collection auction on the 24th February, this could be the most exciting sale to date. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled.