This Rental Platform is Making Designer Handbags Sustainable
- Fashion Featured Retail
Staff Writer- 18 minutes read
Remember when watching a movie meant taking a trip to that one seedy DVD rental shop near your house? You’d browse through cracked plastic cases, hand over your ₹200, and hope for the best. On some occasions, it would result in a Sunday well spent. On others, you’d get a pirated copy that skipped the climax. It’s where an entire generation learned buyers remorse.
Now, with streaming platforms aplenty, we browse, click, and flippantly change our minds mid-watch. No commitment, no remorse, and a sea options at our feet. If fashion is anything like film, then shopping for luxury handbags has just had its OTT moment.
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Sanktum, a luxury handbag rental platform launched in 2022 by Anushi Patel and Rangoli Kute, works on the same idea: access to dozens of bags without having to sell an organ. If your dream closet looks a lot like the one that put Rebecca Bloomwood in debt, Sanktum might be worth looking into.
Their subscription-based model lets members rent from a collection of over 100 high-end handbags from brands like Hermès, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton—plus cult favourites like Telfar and Coperni—without the lifelong commitment (or the financial ruin).
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Beg, Borrow, Steal
The duo recognised the growing demand for luxury items in India, spurred on by social media and the increasing visibility of Indian personalities in global fashion. At the same time they also saw the environmental and financial challenges that traditional luxury consumption poses. “Sanktum is about sustainability, accessibility, and the joy of experiencing luxury fashion,” says Patel.
Joy is a key word here. For decades now, a designer handbag purchase has been treated like an investment—something to be acquired, cradled, and carefully stored in its dust bag, never fully experienced and enjoyed. With membership plans like Sanktum’s, subscribers can actually get their money’s worth in wears without worrying about whether their purchase will hold up in the resale market.
“Experience over ownership” is evidently more than a catchy tagline. As Kute explains, “This approach fits into the future of fashion, where access and experience are valued over material possession.”
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A Membership Model That Works
Their membership plans cater to a diverse audience, from beginners dipping their toes into the world of luxury to seasoned fashion enthusiasts who crave variety. The “Beginner” plan offers limited exchanges, ideal for those new to the concept. The “Pro” plan suits fashion-forward professionals who want regular access to different handbags. For those who seek the crème de la crème, the “Luxe” and “Couture” plans provide access to the most exclusive pieces, with the Couture membership even allowing for multiple handbags at a time.
The process also looks seamless, designed for convenience. Members can expect to receive their chosen handbag within 2-5 business days and can keep it for up to a month, with unlimited exchanges available for higher-tier members.
While other Indian brands offer handbag rentals on a piece-by-piece basis, Sanktum’s membership structure has proven to be a game-changer. For consumers, it means convenience and unlimited access to luxury without worrying about per-rental fees.“The membership model provides a stable revenue stream, better inventory management, and a sense of community,” says Patel. While international platforms like Rent the Runway and Vivrelle provided a blueprint, Sanktum stands out by fostering a sense of belonging among its members, who enjoy exclusive events, wellness retreats, and pop-ups alongside their handbag rentals.
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Why Bags?
But—the question of the hour—why handbags? Why not shoes, apparel, or other accessories? Because bags are situationship material—precisely what a rental model needs. They don’t ask for much. No awkward try-ons, no sizing mishaps, no last-minute realisations that they looked better under the store lights. They slip into your life easily, make you look put together, and ask for nothing in return. When the honeymoon phase ends, you can just swap it out for the next torrid fling.
Visit Sanktum’s website. for more information.
