If you have an appreciation for ultimate luxury, chances are high you love Gucci for its bold, maximalist statement pieces and Hermès for its timeless, under-the-radar craftsmanship. One is all about opulent Italian flair, while the other is the pinnacle of quiet French elegance. Together, they represent the highest echelon of European luxury.
Whether you're looking for logo-centric glam or discreet investment pieces, the world of high fashion has plenty of other incredible brands that deliver that same thrill. Here are 22 other brands to explore when you’re ready to invest in your next forever piece.
A true icon, Louis Vuitton is synonymous with luxury travel, thanks to its signature monogram canvas bags and luggage. The brand masters a classic, modern aesthetic with a focus on exceptionally durable materials. Prices for accessories start around a few hundred dollars, while their sought-after handbags easily run into the thousands.
Like Gucci, Louis Vuitton leverages its iconic logo to create instantly recognizable status symbols. However, LV often maintains a slightly more traditional and refined approach to its core collections. If you love iconic monogram bags but lean towards timeless shapes, LV is a perfect choice. It's a foundational luxury brand a lot of people start their collections with.
Shop now at louisvuitton.com
Chanel is the definition of Parisian elegance, famous for its quilted flap bags, classic tweed jackets, and legendary fragrances. Its style is instantly recognizable - understated, undeniably chic, and always polished. Expect handbag prices to start around $5,000 for classic styles and go stratospheric for specialty pieces.
Similar to Hermès, Chanel is all about investment-worthy pieces that hold their value through impeccable craftsmanship and enduring style. While Hermès focuses on equestrian-inspired leather craft, Chanel defines a certain kind of feminine, French sophistication that remains unmatched.
Shop now at chanel.com
Prada has built a reputation for its modern, intellectual take on high fashion. Known for its innovative use of materials like nylon and its durable Saffiano leather, the brand offers sleek handbags, shoes, and ready-to-wear. Its style is minimalist but sharp, with clean lines and subtle branding that appeal to the fashion insider.
Unlike Gucci's colorful extravagance, Prada serves up an understated, edgy coolness. It’s luxury for those who appreciate design innovation and a more discreet sense of style. If you want a piece that feels both current and classic without shouting its name from the rooftops, Prada is the move.
Shop now at prada.com
Forget subtle. Balenciaga under Demna Gvasalia is all about avant-garde shapes, streetwear influences, and pushing the fashion conversation forward. Famous for its chunky Triple S sneakers, oversized silhouettes, and statement bags like the City and Hourglass, Balenciaga is for the bold.
It acts as the provocateur to Hermès’s traditionalism. While both brands operate at a true luxury level, Balenciaga is for making a loud, directional fashion statement right now. If your style is more streetwear than stately, Balenciaga offers the shock value and cool factor you're looking for.
Shop now at balenciaga.com
Saint Laurent embodies a sleek, Parisian rock-and-roll vibe. Think sharp tailoring, perfect leather jackets, and handbags with an effortless edge like the Sac De Jour or Loulou. Prices for bags generally fall in the $2,000-$4,000 range, offering that quintessential French girl cool.
While Gucci's cool leans bohemian and eccentric, Saint Laurent’s is sharp, sexy, and polished. It shares a similar high-glamour attitude but filters it through a lens of Left Bank rebellion. It’s the perfect brand for luxury pieces that feel sophisticated yet never stuffy.
Shop now at ysl.com
Bottega Veneta is the ultimate "if you know, you know" luxury brand, focusing on exceptional craftsmanship over flashy logos. Its signature intrecciato woven leather technique is instantly recognizable to fashion lovers. From the Pouch clutch to the Jodie bag, each piece is a masterclass in minimalist design.
Much like Hermès, Bottega Veneta's appeal lies in its dedication to artistry and quality leather goods. However, Bottega's designs often feel more sculptural and contemporary, making it a favorite among modern minimalists. It's quiet luxury perfected for today.
Shop now at bottegaveneta.com
Fendi brings a playful, exuberant spirit to Italian luxury. Famous for its masterful use of fur, iconic Baguette and Peekaboo bags, and its unmistakable FF "Zucca" print, the brand is both fun and impeccably crafted. It's for someone who doesn't take fashion too seriously but demands quality.
If you love Gucci's bold, on-trend aesthetic, you'll love Fendi. It shares that vibrant, more-is-more approach but with a unique Roman flair. While Hermès offers understated forever pieces, Fendi delivers statement-making classics that spark joy.
Shop now at fendi.com
Celine is the go-to for effortlessly sophisticated, minimalist pieces that epitomize Parisian chic. With a focus on clean lines and beautiful materials, the brand offers timeless handbags, perfectly cut coats, and chic sunglasses. It’s a brand built on creating the ultimate elevated wardrobe essentials.
Similar to Hermès, Celine is about enduring style, not fleeting trends. However, Celine's version of classic feels more approachable and modern, fitting seamlessly into the daily life of a stylish woman. It provides that same quiet confidence without the impossible-to-get waitlists.
Shop now at celine.com
Valentino is pure modern romance meets rock-and-roll glam. Renowned for its signature "Valentino Red" and the iconic Rockstud motif adorning everything from heels to handbags, the brand blends graceful eveningwear with edgy daywear. It's elegance with a bite.
Compared to Gucci's eclectic vibe, Valentino offers a vision of glamour that is more classically feminine and polished. Unlike the subtle craft of Hermès, Valentino isn't afraid to make a bold statement, whether through vibrant color or signature hardware.
Shop now at valentino.com
Loro Piana is the final word in stealth-wealth, defined not by logos, but by the world's most luxurious materials. Specializing in baby cashmere, vicuña, and a range of ultra-fine wools, its collections include cozy knitwear, impeccably tailored outerwear, and perfect loafers.
This is where it aligns perfectly with the Hermès philosophy: the luxury is in the feel and quality, appreciated by the wearer above all else. It's even more understated, focusing entirely on textile excellence. If you want the absolute best without any branding, this is it.
Shop now at loropiana.com
Dior exudes timeless French elegance with a modern spirit. From the iconic Lady Dior and Saddle bags to beautifully constructed womenswear, the house blends its historical codes with contemporary creativity. It's romantic, sophisticated, and always aspirational.
Dior occupies a space between Hermès' supreme tradition and Gucci's trend-driven fantasy. It offers historic, investment-worthy bags alongside seasonal must-haves, making it perfect for someone who appreciates both classic style and fashion relevance.
Shop now at dior.com
Givenchy delivers an aesthetic that's both aristocratic and edgy. Synonymous with stars like Audrey Hepburn but reimagined with a modern, urban attitude, the brand excels at sharp tailoring and structured handbags like the iconic Antigona. Its vibe is darkly romantic and powerfully chic.
Think of Givenchy as the cooler, moodier counterpart to Gucci’s playful exuberance. It offers a cleaner, more architectural approach to luxury that carries a powerful presence without needing loud prints.
Shop now at givenchy.com
This Spanish luxury house, helmed by Jonathan Anderson, is celebrated for its arty, crafty approach to design and its mastery of leather. Loewe is known for its cult-favorite Puzzle and Hammock bags, seamlessly blending innovative shapes with artisanal techniques.
Loewe shares Hermès' deep commitment to craftsmanship but expresses it with a more avant-garde and playful spirit. It appeals to a creative, fashion-forward crowd that values unique design just as much as quality fabrication.
Shop now at loewe.com
Tom Ford's brand is built on a foundation of unapologetic glamour and sharp, seductive sophistication. With razor-sharp tailoring, decadent materials, and an overtly sexy vibe, his collections are for anyone who wants to command a room. Perfect suits, polish, and killer accessories are his signatures.
While Gucci's '70s vibe is eclectic and playful, Tom Ford’s take is pure, high-octane polish. It's less about quirky prints and more about the power of a perfect, body-conscious silhouette.
Shop now at tomford.com
The quintessentially British luxury brand, Burberry is famous for its timeless trench coats and iconic check pattern. While steeped in heritage, the brand consistently pushes its aesthetic forward with modern creative direction, offering everything from classic scarves to trend-setting streetwear.
Burberry has the deep-rooted heritage of Hermès but is far more engaged with street-level trends and digital culture, similar to Gucci. It perfectly bridges the gap between classic British style and modern cool.
Shop now at us.burberry.com
Miu Miu is Prada's playful, rebellious, and sweeter younger sister. It takes high fashion codes and makes them fun, quirky, and unapologetically feminine. The brand is known for setting micro-trends and appealing to a younger, more daring fashion crowd with its unique perspective.
If you're drawn to Gucci's experimental nature and love for a "look," Miu Miu offers that same energy from a distinctly girlish viewpoint. It's less about house monograms and more about creating zeitgeisty fashion moments.
Shop now at miumiu.com
Chloé is the epitome of French bohemian spirit and effortless femininity. The brand is celebrated for its soft, flowy dresses, romantic blouses, and beautifully crafted leather goods with a subtle equestrian charm, like the Marcie and Drew bags. The style is free-spirited yet polished.
This is the perfect alternative for those who find Gucci's aesthetic too loud and Hermès' too structured. Chloé provides a softer, more relaxed vision of luxury that feels both chic and easy to wear.
Shop now at chloe.com
Balmain is about power, confidence, and undiluted glamour. Known for its strong, sharp-shouldered blazers, intricate embellishments, and military-inspired details, the "Balmain Army" aesthetic is instantly recognizable. It's body-conscious, opulent, and made for the spotlight.
Compared to Gucci, Balmain’s vision of extravagance is more structured and overtly sexy. It's fashion as high-shine armor for the modern supermodel, with a price tag to match its powerful statement.
Shop now at balmain.com
The legendary Italian house of Versace has always stood for bold, unapologetic glamour and high-octane sex appeal. Famous for its Medusa head logo, intricate Baroque prints, and vibrant colors, the brand is anything but shy. It's about fearless self-expression.
Versace is arguably Gucci's only true competitor in the realm of joyful Italian maximalism. Both brands champion wild prints and decadent details, but Versace’s core has always been a powerful, sexy energy. A must for those who want to turn heads.
Shop now at versace.com
Alexander McQueen blends impeccable Savile Row tailoring with a dark, romantic, and theatrical spirit. The brand is known for its dramatic silhouettes, signature skull motifs, innovative designs, and beautiful yet edgy clothing. The craftsmanship is breathtaking.
If you connect with the artistry and storytelling in Gucci’s collections but crave something a bit darker and more technical, McQueen is your brand. It shares that sense of runway drama but filters it through a gothic, British lens.
Shop now at alexandermcqueen.com
Labeled the "King of Cashmere," Brunello Cucinelli represents the pinnacle of Italian relaxed luxury. The brand is all about creating exquisitely made, timeless staples from the finest materials, with a philosophy of ethical capitalism. Its ready-to-wear is the definition of casual elegance.
Sitting alongside Loro Piana, Cucinelli is a direct alternative for the Hermès customer. It's less about It-bags and more about investing in a perfectly crafted knit or jacket that you will wear and treasure for life.
Shop now at brunellocucinelli.com
Goyard is one of the most mysterious and exclusive brands in luxury, specializing in trunks and leather goods. You can't buy their products online, and finding prices is notoriously difficult. Its signature hand-painted chevron pattern is a subtle nod to true wealth and insider status.
This is the ultimate alternative for the Hermès loyalist. Both brands bank on extreme exclusivity, history, and a logo-less sense of recognition (for those in the know). Owning a Goyard is less a fashion choice and more a membership to a quiet, elite club.
Shop now at goyard.com
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