Pre-loved luxury finds a home
What is it about iconic designer bags that makes women dream of and aspire to own one—treating and treasuring each acquisition like a rare jewel? Maybe the piece you desire is a fashion statement to anchor your wardrobe. Or perhaps it’s arm candy that signals a level of earned sophistication. It could even be a style that transports you back to an era you loved, when you felt you were at your peak.
Once priced beyond the reach of most, there is now a shift in attitudes toward resale that makes these iconic bags more attainable. The growing acceptance of pre-loved bags, shoes, clothes and accessories heralds a more practical approach to luxury.
That shift is the rationale behind The Bag Hub, a luxury resale platform founded by Maia Urrutia, in partnership with Ling Ling Urrutia King. For Maia, the resale economy isn’t just about access to designer goods—it’s about reshaping the way luxury is consumed.
Maia considers herself, like her clients, aspirational yet practical. She founded The Bag Hub in 2009 for women who dream of owning designer pieces but also want to be mindful of spending. Her vision is to make luxury more attainable without sacrificing authenticity or quality.
“I used to thrift clothes for the office when I was younger,” she recalls. “I would go to ukay-ukay and occasionally come across designer pieces. That’s when the idea first sparked—what if I could resell these?” What began as a small side business selling bags to coworkers has since become a trusted destination for authenticated designer pieces and a growing community of collectors.
From her first store at The Grove in Pasig, Maia has since expanded to a shop at Le Domaine in Salcedo Village, Makati. This brings her reselling journey full circle, as she used to work in the area. “Makati is where I really cut my teeth. When I was starting out, I used to go door-to-door in offices and clinics to show my pieces. Opening a store here feels like a full-circle moment.”
“Our model is luxury resale and consignment, and we have been doing this for 16 years,” Maia explains of the new store. “This is a space where you can explore, touch, and feel the items, 70 percent of which are consigned. It’s better to see the bags in person.”
The Makati branch, designed by JP Dela Paz, features soft cream tiles, pink marble, copper lattice details, and blush-toned wood displays. The goal was to make the space feel intimate yet inviting—like a candy store for grown-up women.
True enough, the shelves are lined with a colorful display of Chanel, Hermès, Gucci, Goyard, Louis Vuitton, and more. Apart from bags, there are a few fashion items—which will expand in the future—as well as shoes, jewelry and watches. The knowledgeable staff are quick to offer advice on the merits of different types of leather, how to care for the pieces, and where to have them repaired if needed.
At its core, The Bag Hub supports the principles of circular fashion.
“The heart of our platform is really about giving these pieces a second or even third life,” Maia explains. “It’s the most sustainable way to enjoy luxury.” Rather than treating designer purchases as one-time indulgences, The Bag Hub encourages clients to view their bags as assets that can pass through multiple owners.
“Women can enjoy a piece for a while, then resell it when they’re ready for something new. Often, they recover much of what they paid. It’s stylish, financially savvy, and much kinder to the planet,” she adds.
It’s like investing in art—except that you can enjoy wearing the pieces for both style and function. Then, just like art, you can resell them later on.
The Bag Hub’s clients, like Joey Mead King, are also discerning collectors who look for functionality rather than just statement pieces.
“I had an affinity for buying statement bags before, like when Valentino or Louis Vuitton would come out with something new,” Joey says, “but then I realized that my statement pieces don’t go anywhere! I started really thinking about my bag collection. I preferred the ones that had practicality—they fit my phone, my wallet, my glasses, and if it’s a larger tote, it should fit my thermos. The quality has to be really good leather, and it has to suit 90 percent of what’s in my wardrobe. These things matter more now.”
“I actually go through my closet and Angie (King)’s closet before I buy, so medyo win-win having a transgender asawa because we share. Then just last year, we invested in Hermès. It’s our very first, so with Mom Ling Ling and Maia’s help, they were able to find us two bags—it’s perfect. Angie has a 30 cm. in a beautiful teal, while mine is a little tan 25.”
When asked what she would recommend for a client purchasing her first bag, Maia suggests classic, timeless styles—the ones brands carry season after season. Her own everyday bag is a practical Goyard tote. “But it all depends on their personality—what they want,” Maia explains. “Most of our clientele are looking for good value, so they gravitate toward classic pieces.”
Some designer bags are about much more than value for money.
“I remember back during my modeling days, they would give me the Gucci bamboo bag to carry,” Joey recalls, noting that she never thought she’d be able to own one. “I’m so happy that I now have three—a bamboo backpack in suede, a bamboo handbag, and a bamboo sling — because it brings me back to when I was 20 or 24. I love the nostalgia… it transports me back to the peak of my youth.”
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The Bag Hub is located at Le Domaine, Tordesillas Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.
