Loewe vs. Hermès: Which brand is better? [2026]

Loewe is a Spanish luxury brand celebrated for its artistic, modern handbag designs and high-quality leather craftsmanship at a more accessible luxury price point. In contrast, Hermès is the pinnacle of exclusive French luxury, known for its timeless, investment-grade handbags like the Birkin and Kelly, which offer unparalleled handmade quality and often appreciate in value.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right luxury brand for your collection.

Loewe: The Leader in Artisanal Modernism

Loewe is a Spanish fashion house founded in 1846, revitalized under the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson. It uniquely combines a rich heritage in leather goods with a contemporary, artistic sensibility. The target customer is a fashion-forward individual who values innovative design and artisanal quality but is not strictly bound by traditional luxury codes.

• Product mix: Famous for its creatively structured handbags like the Puzzle, Hammock, and Gate bags. The brand also offers a full line of ready-to-wear, footwear, and small leather goods that often feature playful and avant-garde details.
• Price point: Operates in the mid-to-high luxury space. Signature handbags typically range from $2,000 to $6,000, offering a gateway into high-end bags without the extreme barriers to entry of its competitors.
• Style &, Aesthetic: Modern, relaxed, and art-focused. Loewe's designs are sophisticated yet often quirky and experimental, blending minimalist lines with innovative shapes and textures.
• Quality: Employs exceptional craftsmanship with a focus on high-quality calfskin and other premium leathers. The brand is known for its intricate leather marquetry and artisanal techniques.
• Sustainability: Loewe places emphasis on sustainable practices through initiatives that include upcycling materials from past collections and responsible sourcing of raw materials.

Loewe offers a refreshing, art-forward approach to luxury, ideal for those who want a beautifully crafted, distinctive piece that feels more contemporary than classic.

Shop Loewe: loewe.com

Hermès: The Epitome of Timeless Luxury

Founded in 1837 as a harness workshop, Hermès has evolved into the definitive symbol of timeless elegance, exclusivity, and wealth. The French house is legendary for its meticulous hand-craftsmanship, creating pieces that are not just fashion items but investments and family heirlooms. Its customer is discerning, patient, and prioritizes heritage and lasting value above all.

• Product mix: Most famous for its iconic and highly sought-after handbags, including the Birkin and Kelly bags. Hermès also produces world-renowned silk scarves, ties, ready-to-wear fashion, footwear, fragrances, and home goods.
• Price point: The highest end of the luxury market. Key handbag models start at around $10,000 at retail (if you can get one) and can command extraordinary prices, often exceeding $100,000 on the resale market for rare editions.
• Style &, Aesthetic: The definition of classic, understated sophistication. Hermès focuses on clean lines, perfect proportions, and subtle branding, letting the impeccable quality of the materials and craftsmanship speak for itself.
• Quality: Considered the gold standard in luxury goods. Each handbag is made by a single artisan over many hours, using premium leathers and hand-stitched with time-honored techniques, ensuring unmatched durability.
• Exclusivity: The brand maintains its status through extremely limited production and a carefully managed purchasing process that often requires a significant prior spending history with the brand to be offered a premium handbag.

Hermès represents the ultimate investment in craftsmanship and timeless style, making it the choice for collectors who view their purchases as enduring assets.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Loewe vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a significant price chasm between the two brands. Loewe occupies a more accessible tier of the high-luxury market. Its popular Puzzle bag, for example, ranges from about $2,500 for a mini to around $4,500 for a large size. This pricing makes it a feasible splurge for many luxury shoppers.

Hermès operates on an entirely different scale. A standard leather Birkin or Kelly bag starts at over $10,000 at retail and can only be acquired through the brand's exclusive process. On the secondary market, these bags often sell for two to three times their original price, solidifying their status as true investment assets rather than just accessories. Hermès is, without question, the more expensive brand by a large margin.

Quality &, Materials

Both brands are renowned for exceptional quality, but their focus differs. Loewe is a master of soft, supple leathers and innovative craft, known for its creative use of materials and complex, modern constructions. The bags are durable and beautifully made, reflecting a strong artisanal heritage.

Hermès, however, is considered the absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship. The brand uses the finest, often rare, leathers in the world and employs a single-artisan construction method for its top handbags. Details like hand-waxed threads and meticulously polished hardware ensure that an Hermès piece is not just built for a lifetime but for generations. While Loewe's quality is excellent, Hermès' is legendary.

Style &, Aesthetic

Loewe’s aesthetic is modern, artistic, and often playful. Under Jonathan Anderson, the brand has cultivated an image that appeals to style-savvy individuals who follow fashion and appreciate avant-garde design. Its creations are focal points of an outfit - distinctive and easily recognizable to those in the know.

Hermès embodies discreet, timeless elegance. Its designs are classic and have remained largely unchanged for decades. The brand ethos is one of "stealth wealth," where the luxury is communicated through unparalleled quality rather than loud logos or trendy shapes. It appeals to a customer who desires a permanent, sophisticated style that transcends passing trends.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Loewe is a modern luxury experience. Boutiques are contemporary and art-filled, and the products are generally available for purchase both in-store and online without significant hurdles. It’s an accessible and welcoming environment for shoppers looking to engage with the brand.

Acquiring a top-tier Hermès handbag is famously difficult. It typically requires building a relationship with a sales associate and developing an extensive purchase history across various product categories. This "gamified" process makes the shopping experience highly exclusive and adds to the mystique and desirability of its most famous products.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Maisons are titans of luxury, but they serve very different sensibilities and goals.

Choose Loewe if:

• You prefer modern, artistic, and unique designs over classic shapes.
• You want a high-quality, handcrafted bag that is fashionable and distinctive.
• Your budget for a luxury handbag is generally between $2,000 and $6,000.
• You value direct accessibility and enjoy browsing current collections online or in-store.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are making an investment and want a handbag that holds or increases its value over time.
• Your style gravitates towards timeless, understated, and classic elegance.
• Exclusivity and the pinnacle of artisanal craftsmanship are your main priorities.
• You have a budget prepared for a five-figure purchase and are willing to navigate the unique buying process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Loewe or Hermès more expensive?

Hermès is significantly more expensive than Loewe. A popular Loewe handbag costs between $2,000-$5,000, while a classic Hermès handbag like a Birkin starts well over $10,000 and increases dramatically from there.

Which brand has better quality?

Both have exceptional quality. However, Hermès is widely regarded as offering the highest level of craftsmanship in the world. Its time-honored, single-artisan construction and use of premium leathers place it at the absolute peak of luxury production.

Is a Loewe bag a good investment?

A Loewe bag is an investment in style and quality, but it does not typically appreciate in value on the resale market like an Hermès bag. They hold their value reasonably well for a luxury fashion brand but should be purchased for enjoyment rather than financial return.

Why is Hermès so difficult to buy?

Hermès intentionally limits the production of its most coveted handbags to maintain exclusivity and ensure the highest standards of quality. This creates demand far greater than supply, and the brand uses a relationship-based sales model to offer these bags to established clients.

What is Loewe famous for?

Loewe is most famous for its innovatively designed leather bags, particularly the Puzzle Bag. The brand is also acclaimed for its leather craftsmanship, arts-focused collaborations, and the modern, sophisticated aesthetic established by creative director Jonathan Anderson.

What is Hermès famous for?

Hermès is overwhelmingly famous for its iconic Birkin and Kelly handbags. Beyond handbags, the brand is also legendary for its luxurious silk scarves, high-quality leather goods, and timeless ties.

Is Loewe a top tier luxury brand?

Yes, Loewe is firmly a top-tier luxury brand, owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH. It is respected for its rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and unique design language, sitting alongside other major European fashion houses.