Handbag and Bag Accessories Licensing

In this special report, License Global’s editorial team delves into handbags as a fashion accessory and how licensing impacts the category.

Patricia DeLuca

April 25, 2023

Loungefly x Paul Frank handbagLoungefly

Accessories like handbags represent both form and function. They’re necessities we rely on daily, but they can be considered ornamental for many.

Trends ebb and flow, and that couldn’t be truer in the case of handbags. In the last couple of years, micro bags (which may fit a set of keys and a smartphone) that were trending during lockdown have given way to tote bags as we collectively travel more. No matter the size, bags show off our personality. What better way to do that than with a branded bag? And there’s one at every price point.

Loungefly

, the accessories spinoff of Funko, offers collaborative collections of wallets, knapsacks, crossbody bags and more with companies like Pixar, Marvel, Nickelodeon and others, with upcoming releases featuring Lisa Frank and Paul Frank designs. For Loungefly, handbag licensing is on par with the rest of the licensed fashion industry.

“Loungefly focuses on innovation, quality and brand building versus following where the industry is headed,” say Liz DeSilva

and Derrick Baca, senior vice president, creative, innovation and vision, Loungefly, in a joint statement. “As we grow, sustainability and inclusivity will be key motivators as to the direction of the company. Loungefly will continue to bring quality and value at the price points that we exist in.”

Coach

has released collections featuring Disney, Peanuts, musician, Lil Nas X, artists, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat and much more. In recent years, Gucci has worked with adidas, The North Face and Disney on collaborations that extended to the luxury brand’s handbags and wallets.

There is a specific handbag style that is notably increasing in sales. According to The NPD Group, sales of evening bags grew faster than the rest of the handbag market this year versus last year. According to the Retail Tracking Service from NPD, evening bags recovered to 2019 levels in revenue and unit sales. Now’s the time to buy that Judith Leiber x Hello Kitty top-handle bag you’ve Loungefly x Paul Frank handbag. been eyeing.

Brand licensing is a big part of fashion, but fashion extends beyond essential apparel. For some, accessories add to their wardrobe and can complete a look they want to achieve.

For the licensing industry, it’s a good look. According to

License Global’s Top Global Licensors Report

, most licensors said that brand collaboration at retail was paramount to their growth strategy for 2023, including accessories.

Accessories are also a big part of a licensee’s world. In

November’s Leading Licenees report

, about a third of licensees on the list created licensed accessories in 2022.

To read License Global’s Fashion Accessories report in full, click here.

Licensing Expo 2023 will be spotlighting Fashion licensing

at this year’s event, which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, on June 13-15.