Hermes Cherve Kelly Black Handbag; Retail: $17,000; Bella Bag: $8,900; “Who wouldn’t be head over heels for Hermes? Although I know many women lean towards the Birkin bag as a choice, I really gravitate towards a larger Kelly. I recently saw Rachel Zoe carrying this exact one, and I just can’t believe how beautiful it looks in real life. The color is this deep rich black tone, and the leather is the best quality you can ever feel. The hardware sparkles. It’s truly a gem.” – Cassandra Connors
Hermes Cherve Kelly Black Handbag; Retail: $17,000; Bella Bag: $8,900; “Who wouldn’t be head over heels for Hermes? Although I know many women lean towards the Birkin bag as a choice, I really gravitate towards a larger Kelly. I recently saw Rachel Zoe carrying this exact one, and I just can’t believe how beautiful it looks in real life. The color is this deep rich black tone, and the leather is the best quality you can ever feel. The hardware sparkles. It’s truly a gem.” – Cassandra Connors
Gucci Mocha Pebbled Grained Calfskin Runway Tote; Retail: $1,650; Bella Bag: $429; “I really like this Gucci limited edition runway bag. It’s from the last Tom Ford cruise collection, and it just shouts with his influence. It’s a little minimalist, a little bohemian, a little whimsical—and totally Gucci. I think this would look amazing this summer with a pair of open-toe espadrilles or cork wedges and a ribbed tank layered with chunky necklaces!” – Cassandra Connors
Gucci Mocha Pebbled Grained Calfskin Runway Tote; Retail: $1,650; Bella Bag: $429; “I really like this Gucci limited edition runway bag. It’s from the last Tom Ford cruise collection, and it just shouts with his influence. It’s a little minimalist, a little bohemian, a little whimsical—and totally Gucci. I think this would look amazing this summer with a pair of open-toe espadrilles or cork wedges and a ribbed tank layered with chunky necklaces!” – Cassandra Connors
Bottega Veneta Eggplant Ayers Snakeskin Chevre Leather Knot Clutch Bag; Retail: $2850; Bella Bag: $2250; “I’m absolutely dying over this Bottega bag. I mean, I adore the entire Knot collection from Bottega Veneta to begin with, but this particular one is just gorgeous! The deep purple color, woven with the karung [snakeskin] leather is an amazing combination. The signature size and shape and knot press closure finish it perfectly. It’s like a little piece of artwork to me!” – Cassandra Connors
Bottega Veneta Eggplant Ayers Snakeskin Chevre Leather Knot Clutch Bag; Retail: $2850; Bella Bag: $2250; “I’m absolutely dying over this Bottega bag. I mean, I adore the entire Knot collection from Bottega Veneta to begin with, but this particular one is just gorgeous! The deep purple color, woven with the karung [snakeskin] leather is an amazing combination. The signature size and shape and knot press closure finish it perfectly. It’s like a little piece of artwork to me!” – Cassandra Connors
Chanel Caviar Timeless Accordion Flap Plum Bag; Retail: $2,795; Bella Bag: $1,795; “Chanel is my favorite brand, overall. I love this one in particular; the color is just so fun and cheery—but not a pastel or neon or anything too bright. To me, this bag has it all: great size, great shape, Chanel classic quilting, a roomy interior with the accordion flap opening, and of course, the signature chain strap!” – Cassandra Connors
Chanel Caviar Timeless Accordion Flap Plum Bag; Retail: $2,795; Bella Bag: $1,795; “Chanel is my favorite brand, overall. I love this one in particular; the color is just so fun and cheery—but not a pastel or neon or anything too bright. To me, this bag has it all: great size, great shape, Chanel classic quilting, a roomy interior with the accordion flap opening, and of course, the signature chain strap!” – Cassandra Connors
Marc Jacobs Pink-Green Quilted Misfit Tote Bag; Retail: $1,728; Bella Bag: $969; “Not only is it new, but it is rare, limited, and discontinued. The only other place I have seen one is in the Marc Jacobs boutique in New York. It wouldn’t be an everyday bag, of course, but it would definitely be one that I would pull out for fun occasions—to add a pop of color to an outfit. With this one, it is a time that neon is appropriate for sure. Only Marc Jacobs can do neon to near perfection in my opinion.” – Cassandra Connors
Marc Jacobs Pink-Green Quilted Misfit Tote Bag; Retail: $1,728; Bella Bag: $969; “Not only is it new, but it is rare, limited, and discontinued. The only other place I have seen one is in the Marc Jacobs boutique in New York. It wouldn’t be an everyday bag, of course, but it would definitely be one that I would pull out for fun occasions—to add a pop of color to an outfit. With this one, it is a time that neon is appropriate for sure. Only Marc Jacobs can do neon to near perfection in my opinion.” – Cassandra Connors
Step inside Bella Bag’s Virginia-Highland offices and you’ll feel like Carrie Bradshaw discovering Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes in the Vogue accessories closet. This online retailer, which buys and sells authentic, pre-owned, limited edition, and vintage handbags and accessories, stocks more than 500 designs by big names such as Chanel, Chloé, Prada, and Louis Vuitton—Bella Bag’s biggest seller.
While studying theater at New York University, Bella Bag founder and New York native Cassandra Connors started selling her and her friends’ handbags, as well as thrift store finds, online to earn extra cash. “I had a mother and grandmother that are very fashion-forward, so from an early age it was ingrained in me to keep my shoes and bags in good condition: Keep the box, tags, and bags,” she says.
After a couple of years, Connors’s side project turned into a full-time business. She eventually put her theater career on hold and moved south. “Up until I was twenty-six, I was doing everything all by myself; all the photography, orders, etc. Since moving to Atlanta in 2010, I’ve found myself a fantastic team, but I still authenticate every bag that comes through the door,” says Connors. She developed a thirteen-point checklist to distinguish real bags from fakes. It includes checking measurements, designs, and details like the metallic qualities of hardware or fabric pattern continuity. Bella Bag typically sells handbags for between 30 percent and 70 percent off original retail, depending on quality and rarity, with the average price being $900. Ask Connors to pick her favorite bag in the collection and she swoons over a vintage Hermès Kelly black crocodile bag that retails on her site for $25,000. shopbellabag.com
This article originally appeared in our May 2012 issue.
