Book excerpt: Covers the history of handbag design packed full of biographies of the major influencers of the fashion handbag industry. Vintage and future accessories expert, Tracy Martin reveals what to spot when buying both vintage and modern handbags which are already desirable with collectors or have the potential to become sought after in the future. From the Victorian miser bag to 1950s Lucite and the op-art designs of the Sixties to bang up to date modern examples such as Lulu Guinness's iconic Lips clutch, Tracy recommends the most desirable for collector's of all budgets. Throughout the pages she shares her top tips on which designers to buy from the past, present and future, how to avoid getting caught out by fake or damaged bags and where is best to invest. Together with a detailed social history on the designers and their bags, this lavishly illustrated book is a must-own for all those passionate about handbags.