Last month, Matthew Rubinger, 26, left his role in charge of luxury accessories at Heritage for Christie's, taking two high-level assistants with him. Heritage alleges that they groomed and trained Rubinger, shared corporate strategy with him, and made introductions for him. Heritage is suing for damages and lost profits. Christie's said in a statement that the suit was "without merit" and they would "vigorously defend these claims." 

The market for high-end handbags and similar goods has an annual growth rate of 50%. Texas-based Heritage sold a Hermes Birkin for a record $203,000 in 2011, a sale that propelled the firm as leader in the market segment.