But what exactly is driving the demand for luxury brands in Norway today?
Earlier this autumn, Auksjonshuset Blomqvist made headlines by featuring luxury brands in its magazine advertisements. This marks a significant shift from their traditional focus on Munch paintings to high-end fashion, including iconic labels like Chanel, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, and Céline. This growing interest in luxury items is a signal not just for collectors, but also for models, modeling enthusiasts, and professionals in the fashion industry.
“There is great interest in vintage both in Norway and internationally. At home, this category is just taking root, and it’s likely here to stay. Norwegians may feel safer buying pre-owned items,” explains Irina Khótko, an expert in vintage fashion at Auksjonshuset Blomqvist.
Although luxury brands are not new to Blomqvist, the auction house has sharpened its focus over the past three years, prioritizing only the most exclusive labels. This development shows that both buyers and sellers, including models and aspiring models scouting for inspiration, are drawn to these premium fashion items.
Blomqvist’s auctions frequently feature bags, scarves, shoes, and fine jewelry from top fashion houses like Hermès, Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Céline, and Mulberry. This curated approach demonstrates how the luxury market in Norway continues to evolve, and it provides a platform where model agencies and independent models can explore styling and modeling opportunities with vintage pieces.
“If someone is lucky enough to find an older Gucci or Hermès bag, they may have uncovered something truly valuable,” Khótko adds.
Second-hand platforms like Finn.no highlight which luxury brands are most sought-after, with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Mulberry topping the list. While there has been a slight downward trend in searches over recent years—partly due to the pandemic—the interest remains strong. Model agencies and professional models studying market trends can take note: these shifts influence not only fashion sales but also modeling opportunities and collaborations.
The rise of other players in the second-hand market, such as Tise, has expanded the audience for luxury goods. Kathrine Opshaug Bakke, head of Finn Torget, notes that this broader marketplace encourages more people to buy and sell pre-owned items, creating a dynamic environment where modeling, fashion showcases, and model agencies can thrive alongside vintage collectors.
Vintage luxury items like Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, and Gucci are among the best-selling brands on Tise, offering both aspiring models and professional agencies the chance to experiment with styling, modeling, and showcasing timeless fashion pieces.
In short, Norway’s luxury fashion market is growing in sophistication, with vintage and archive fashion becoming integral to auctions, marketplaces, and even modeling work. As the industry continues to evolve, models, model agencies, and fashion enthusiasts alike will find increasing opportunities to engage with this thriving sector.
