You know what though? It’s really the other way around! The canvas bags are actually better quality than leather bags! Think Louis Vuitton for example. The reason their monogram bags last for decades is because coated Canvas doesn’t damage or break-down like leather does! So if you want a bag that can last a lifetime, don’t choose leather! 😊 But let’s stop buying this garbage disguised as luxury!
This is a small, fine market segment. In my opinion, this won't become a big movement: 1. The prestige that brands like Dior thrive on is missing. 2. This sector is not as financially strong to advertise as the big brands. And if that were to happen, increasing demand would require investors and the game would begin again 3 The design will not always be as appealing and well thought-out among providers. It will then often be handicrafts.
@@Haferstern that would all be true if it were 1975. The internet puts these creators on the forefront and makes them very easy to find. Pay attention to gen z and their clothing/fit checks. EVERYTHING is thrifted and probably the last of its kind. That’s where this is headed. Rarity
I’m really hoping so. The question is, how can they have the same prestige and social cachet as the Diors and Chanels etc of this world. I create handmade, bespoke, unique and rare! Handbags, woven and knotted myself. I keep going because I adore it. But the prestige of a known brand is a difficult hurdle to widespread desirability (aka visibility)
I’m over luxury bags. I’ve had Coach bags for years that have stood the test of time and I don’t have to baby them or worry I’m going to be robbed. Would rather spend my money on experiences nowadays.
my gen x patients are running out of money too due to inflation and govt not helping them because they have assets. you have to invest in caregivers too cause their kids are not there to take care of them
I give you all advice. Go to Italy and do your shopping there with unknown/small/local brands. You will buy the most amazing shoes, leather goods, clothes ... You get really great quality for the money and great customer service. This has been my experience for many years. You will not regret.
Where in Italy would you say to go? Rome is full of stuff from China? It was really challenging to find authentic leather goods there that were not high-end designer.
Absolutely! Go to Italy and spend your money on fun, fine dining, entertainment, and enjoying beautiful cities and the countryside. Experience over the senseless accumulation of "stuff" every day of the week!
Try this in southeast asian countries where it's way more affordable and they literally make the products in front of you! I've had a lot of small leather goods for gifting from the Philippines in one of my holidays there
I absolutely agree, I have done this and I’m so happy with the products I have bought. I’m so so over branding, even wearing them I feel stupid now. No brands, great quality and decent
I’m over it myself. I have so many bags and I’m just done. I don’t care what the “it” bag is anymore. I have bags that cost a ridiculous amount of money and I’m going to use them. I don’t care if it’s considered “out of style”. It’s all about marketing.
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
We've just grown tired of yearly price increases while seeing quality go down. Add on to that the whole sweatshop controversy and its been an easy choice to look elsewhere at more affordable brands. Coach has really been killing it with their offerings as of late like you stated. Also want to add I only will buy lab grown diamonds going forward.
Do you find it too wide/big and bulky? I’ve just bought the *esluxy* which is basically the same width and my only worry is it bumping into things and wear on the corners, has yours scuffed?
OMG, this just goes in circles. this happened in the 70s and in the 90s and now again. Designer exhaustion, or really, market saturation. Fashion goes in cycles.
Yes, Dior has had major problems before. At that time, however, there was no such financially strong company behind it and Dior's sales have increased enormously in recent years. They weren't rising as much before the scandal. It remains to be seen how this scandal will actually affect sales and how Dior will react. At the moment they are trying to ride it out. For the sake of fairness, I would like to point out that every brand is probably affected by this. Of course also cheaper brands.
I love the design, but I don't have the budget. So I bought the*preluxz* bag. Made from high quality legal snakeskin made by local Indonesian artists. From now on I never want to buy any luxury goods.
I actually only own two designer bags, and I think because I'm older, I want to spend my money on other things, like travel. I also find a lot of the styles of designer bags to be kind of boring, and dare I say it, old fashioned. And now we know they are so not worth the money! Great video, thanks, Sophie. Your lip gloss is really pretty!
Ilia kvalito ne estas malsupera al tiuj grandaj luksaj varoj. La fortikeco kaj atento al detaloj rivalas kun la originalaj dezajnistsakoj kaj mi ne povas kredi kiom mi ?paris. ?i estas la perfekta akcesora?o por iu ajn moda knabino! Mi certas, ke mi rea?etos iujn aliajn stilojn kaj kolorojn LYXBAG por kongrui kun miaj vesta?oj kaj ?uoj!
Had a milestone birthday this year. Was going to splurge on a Chanel bag. Didn’t and instead purchased a DeMellier and Strathberry for a tenth of the price and am loving them.
@@veronicavenditti3614 If you go and dig deeper behind the paid influencers recommendation, the quality is really not so good. Hardware scratches extremely fast and the only bag people who use the brand recommend is New York tote, the rest feel free to skip as the bag will look as it is 10+ years old after few wears. Also leather is quite thin and plasticky.
I love coach. It’s nice and sleek and doesn’t scream wasteful with money but doesn’t scream I have a lot of money either. Like an acceptable brand name that’s a staple vs a statement
I love the design, but I don't have the budget. So I bought the*preluxz* bag. Made from high quality legal snakeskin made by local Indonesian artists. From now on I never want to buy any luxury goods.
Conglomerates are terrible for squeezing profit margins by all means necessary. They have very powerful, very greedy executives and shareholders, and are under pressure to show continuous financial growth. Continuous growth is an unsustainable path and it’s wild that people buy into this utter delusion.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the*preluxz* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the*preluxz* as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
Love*preluxz* the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
I can almost forgive H&M and Primark having their stuff made in sweatshops. At least they are trying to save their customers money. But the idea of a luxury brand exploiting people and then selling a bag for 6000 £ is just SOO disgusting and greedy! I've never wanted to spend thousands for a bag that should cost a couple of hundreds, but if anything could make me want them less, it is this
I spend my extra money on animals in need. I find so much more fulfillment in helping to fund local rescues for dogs, cats, etc. This is where I want my money to go.
thank you for that, you have your priorities straight, wish there were more people like you! imagine if all rich people did more for the disadvantaged as well as animals, the world would be a better place, but instead its all about materialism and consumerism 😕
I own many luxury bags and I’m not planning to sell any, but I’m also not planning to buy more. It’s time to move on I feel and just enjoy what I have. The whole negative aura around it put me off honestly.
@@Justme-x4h same and I’m going to use my luxury bags. I don’t care if they are the it bag for that season. I obviously purchased them because I liked them so I’m not gonna put them at the back of the closet because some influencer tells me to I agree with you 💯
I'll be honest, I just can't afford thousands for a bag no matter how gorgeous they are. I can truly say that every Coach, Dooney, Kate Spade and Patricia Nash bag I have are solid. Beautiful leather, top-notch hardware, amazing craftsmanship in the crisp clean silhouettes and sizes that I love. Worth every dollar I've spent on them and have lasted for YEARS in perfect condition 🤷♀️
Dior was supposed to be haute couture. It bring to question the quality of their brand and if they have that same quality throughout. If they sell the quality pieces made by artisans and their apprentices to people with influence and sell these sweat shop made bags to the rest. Then we need to question if the ateliers they demonstrate to the public is for show and these sweatshops make most if not all their products.
I very seriously doubt you get the same quality, or any part of it, from those made in the sweat shops. After all, you're paying nowhere near the price - & it does show imo.
Dior produces haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion prototypes in ateliers. The actual production of Redy to wear products and leather goods takes place in factories. Dior's advertising films are sometimes misleading.
@@vblackwell3347 But isn’t the scandal was that the actual Dior fashion house was using laborers who did not have artisan level skill and who worked in sweat shop conditions but still sold it for $$$$? So the customers of Dior were paying top $$$$ but were receiving these below par products?
@MADEbySOUL Dior does do haute couture but bags are like ready to wear, beauty, fragrance even jewelery etc which are all pret a porter aka manufactured in factories. The DIOR label alone does not make it haute couture.
Unfortunately the experience the person had in a store in Bond St isn't unusual. It's being an issue for years. Being treated like a piece of dirt by SAs or followed around stores by a security guard right behind you the entire time you are there is pretty standard in high end stores. Even brands like chanel and dior are really bad for this. So many sales assistants seem to believe someone cannot afford to shop there if they don't look glam head to toe. Judging someone's financial situation based on what the customer is wearing is a great way to loose customers.
I went into Dior and Chanel a few years ago with the intention of buying a bag. A lady Dior and a classic flap. I was wearing leggings and a jumper, and was completely ignored. Even having a Chanel Boy on at the time meant nothing. I was wearing comfortable clothes because it was the weekend…and I wore a suit through the week. I now pretty much only wear Coach bags. I can walk in there with slides and gym clothes and they still treat me with respect. And that goes a long way!
I was in London 3 months ago and the attitude of the sales people in some of these brands put me off buying anything. I was wearing casual clothes ( I was on holidays after all), but also being a foreigner always makes you wonder if that has a point.
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the*preluxz* as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the *esluxy* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
From before they were all made in China. I’m sorry, but if Coach wants my respect, they need to return manufacturing to the USA. China made is not luxury.
@@Pandabaire3540 I have a Willis bag from the 90s that I tracked down and took it to a leather repair shop because it looked a little beat up. They completely restored that bag and it looks brand new. OK not brand new but it’s in beautiful shape. my mom and I both had that bag and for some reason got rid of it and she passed away and for some reason I was just thinking about that bag a couple of years ago and was able to track one down for like $60.
I don’t own a real designer bag (all my bags are up to $300-400) and I really wanted to get myself something pre-loved for my birthday but I decided not to for two reasons - 1) with all these scandals - I don’t want my only bag to not be acceptable to wear in public and 2) I’ve heard so many horror stories of people buying pre-loved and it turning out to be a fake, and then the return process is ridiculous if they would even accept is back. I think I will stay in my lane with bags up to $600. At the end of the day that’s what the real price of a quality bag is, the rest is only marketing and surcharge.
If you really fancy pushing the boat out you could look for a leather crafter/worker online and get a bespoke bag made. probably cost less than LV and you could have input in the design! That’s true luxury!
Ive gone from spending 10s of thousands a year on designer bags to not purchasing a new bag in nearly 4 years. I feel the price and quality are rarely justified anymore. I don’t like the newer designs in general. And quite frankly I fell. into being very influenced by social media and now have more bags than anyone needs. (Not that anyone needs a designer bag) I will enjoy what I have.
The reality is: if you're rich and famous, your*preluxz* bags are seen as a sign of success. If you are just an ordinary worker working a 9-to-5 job, your real bag is likely to be considered the fruit of your efforts.
Stories like Dior’s & Balenciaga’s are just what we hear about. Think about all of the other products we use regularly-from any brand. I am certain many brands have skeletons in the closet too, we just don’t hear about it. It’s really sad!
I can afford it but I just don't find it worth it anymore. I'm taking my money and signing up for a leatherworking class to learn how to make a bag. I also invested more money into my house. I now have a garden I enjoy far more than any bag I have ever bought. I'm building a new sewing room to get back into designing and sewing my own clothing. I have worked hard that now I have the luxury of plenty of leisure time to learn and experience new things. I'm not going to waste my time on luxury bags and brands that act like you spending money on them is an inconvenience on them.
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
I now look at “luxury” bags and see a $57-$300 product sold for wildly more than that. The Dior and Armani exposés have killed it for me. They look average to me now. I do see it as a rip off. Is rather buy stocks.
I bought my first luxury bag in the 90s. It was a Prada nylon bag, and I think it cost around 350 euros. Today, it would easily costs 2500 euros. Luxury prices have risen faster than general inflation, and as we know the pace accelerated the past few years - maybe as a form av gatekeeping. I don't care why, but it feels like they are openly and shamelessly exploiting us at this point.
Yes!!! I've just bought a Cyme because I didn't have any tote bag and really loved that one. But I'm not wowed by the leather. Apparently the current No 9 is nowhere near as soft as their previous ones.
I've been tempted by Polene for so long now but too many complaints about leather quality and poor customer service has stopped me ordering from them. Its unfortunate as I do like their designs.
I was Sally. I used to buy a few designer items whenever I travel as souvenirs. Something special to remind me of my trips. These items would last for even a decade as they were high quality and with timeless designs. Even when I get tired of the same looks, I could give my things to my sister, etc. Now the same brands are selling fast-fashion poor quality items at exorbitant prices. Consumers are not dumb. Now I only buy vintage if I want a souvenir, and I put the rest of my money in investments.
I second that. I bought an absolutely beautiful camel pebble leather tote 10 years ago at Tory, and it's as soft and gorgeous as the day I purchased it. I used it as a daily work bag for years. I have a few saddle bag styles from Tory as well and they are stunning. I get loads of compliments on them. The quality is there for the price.
Lately, I've been enjoying DeMellier, Aspinal & Polene. Haven't bought a high end luxury bag since 2021. Luxury isn't luxury anymore: aside from the quality issues, they make us go through hoops or just make the purchasing experience downright unpleasant. They're all but telling me they don't want my money. I'm taking the hint and spending it somewhere else.
I had the opposite experience in London (I, too, was visiting from overseas) when I walked into Celine (Bond St, I think it was) in early June and the guy on the door was polite and friendly and 5 (yes, 5!) salespeople inside all acknowledged me. Even those currently serving looked at me, smiled and nodded. As someone who teaches Services Marketing at a university, I am using this in my classes as a (rare) example of good customer service. I had a Celine cross-body phone bag on under my coat, so was not able to be recognized as a customer. Just decent people giving good service as they are paid to do. Leaves a good feeling around the brand as a whole.
The designer bags as we know them (Dior, Chanel, YSL etc.) are definitely over, there are so many new brands or existing brands that are more...quiet, great quality and you don't need a mortgage to buy them. They did this to themselves with greed and over saturation.
I’ve bought 4 bags this year. All on sale. 2 vivienne Westwood. 1 Bottega. 1 Loewe (outlet - tote). This is how I shop now and these are 3 of the 4 brands I support. Other is Hermes.
I'm still waiting for Polene to bring out a nice bright colour, but yeah, there's wayyyy more out there than just the most expensive (not necessarily the best) brands. 💖 Happy weekend, Sophie! x
Maybe it’s not so much that designer bags are coming to an end opposed to the general public coming to their senses. It doesn’t take one to be an Einstein to figure out the mark up is colossal and basically not worth it. I once watched a program about a small Italian family business who made bespoke leather gloves for the rich and famous. It was amazing and one could very quickly see why the price-tag was high but justifiably so.
@@seabreeze4559 Sorry, it was quite a number of years ago and I’ve absolutely no idea what the business was called. It certainly was a fascinating watch.
Hi Sophie! I don’t know if you saw but BCG and Altagamma released their 2024 report on luxury and it’s talking about focusing on “Beyond Money” consumers, which are the ones that spend over 50 k a year on luxury goods. They are all about focusing on VICs (very important clients). One beyond money client is worth 230 aspirational clients. But I also think: is it possible to maintain a luxury brand on just a few people? When you lose a few of those clients, you would be broke 😅
Exactly! I never understood this marketing strat (of just focusing on the VICs), when our grandmothers always taught us to "never put all our eggs in just one basket." Or a few baskets, in this case.
I love my Kate Spade, Coach and Dooney bags. I had them for a very long time and they look like new. I like to be sensible with my money. How many people spend all their money on expensive handbags, cars and accessories and they are broke? Every where you look there are knockoffs, nothing special in overpriced luxury bags.
Really interesting watch Sophie. I think the Cost of Living impact has also had an impact. With the cost of groceries etc, people have far less money to spend on luxury items. Even if people can afford high end luxury, many would prefer something more discreet at the moment rather than screaming ‘I’m carrying a £10k bag’
It's amazing to me that Chanel seemingly got away with what they did year or two ago. A factory in France was found to have terrible conditions for workers - cold, not allowed to use the restroom without permission etc. But people seem to have forgotten that already. I love The Row. The designs, while simple, are such a joy to use and the leather is amazing. If you get away from the Margaux and look at the other designs you will see what I mean.
Recently, Sothebys had an auction advertised as " the property of a refined lady" . Many designer bags, clothes etc. Hermes, Dior etc. and prices realized from this auction were far below what I expected. Similar items they have in stock for sale are much more expensive.
Love these suggestions! Unfortunately Polene’s quality has also decreased (some outrage a few months ago) - looks like mass marketing is hitting all brands…
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kisluxs book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
All the luxury brand makes the prices insane , in this world that many people struggling with even buying food how come they increase prices constantly , the quality is not even like 10-15 years ago and some of them not worth it , it has to be stopped steeling money from people with these insane prices
I was in Singapore and dressed very casually in joggers as was on holiday and will be boarding 12 hr flight. Went into Cartier and local luxury bag brand Kwanpen and staff in both were welcoming and patient in answering any questions. That's great service and I was very impressed by how professional they were!
Have you ever tried Strathberry? I have the box crescent bag and it is beautiful, I picked it up in a seasonal mauve colour in the sale and have been so impressed. It’s just as pretty as my designer bags. Thanks for another great video!
I like a nice bag just like anybody else. I love designers too, but when it gets to be a house mortgage now there’s too many designers that have quality bags that I don’t have to spend that type of money for a bag and these days you don’t know if you get a real knock off.
Great video as always, Sophie. I used to love designer bags and have several myself. I'm also a high income earner so I don't ever need to save for one, can just cash flow it. That said, I'm not interested in them anymore especially after the Dior scandal and the ridiculous Chanel price increase yet the low quality. I've been looking at coach a lot more, too. They have cute things and just means I can shovel more money into my investments than into a bag 😂
5:55 I'm not really into luxury bags, more here for your personality 😅 but I don't understand how ppl like in this story, who enjoy the luxury life style and want all those fancy and shiny things, don't dress the part when shopping in such a store. I mean is that not part of the deal of the "rich and beautiful"? Of course rude staff is never okay, but then again it reminds me of pretty woman 😂
I recently fell in love with Portland leather goods. Bought a couple of items and I absolutely adore them. Completely forgot about designer bags and I am super happy about it.
DUYP--Dress Up Your Purse--also makes quality leather goods using the same Togo leather that Hermès uses for their bags (including colors)...and many are made using style lines of other designer non-leather bags. I got several for myself, daughter, and granddaughter for Christmas and they have worn very well!!!
@@flohough1870 In addition to assorted bags, I've also invested in various chains and straps so as to change up the bags. The best time is when there is a 25-40% off sale.
Was saving up for a Dior but since the saga of the poor living condition of the workers and the true cost of making the bags, I decided to purchase two Coach bags instead. It’s my first purchase from them, beautiful stitchings, quality hardwares and leather, super lightweight and beautiful designs, cannot fault it.
There's the stench of Emperor's New Clothes about current designer bags and the most popular houses. I for one will not pretend that the whole situation is NOT perverse and obscene.
I like the reference. Look at the fashion clothes, I do not see draping, I see lumps, I do not see well fitted, I see synced in with belts or ties. If they cannot make the models look like they are wearing couriered pieces what are the ones in their shops going to look like on us?
@@janejdough2230 "Oooo, I can really see the hours of craftsmanship in this bag, Oooo, I can really see how this bag cost 8K, Oooo, I'm happy to pay for the name because they are such a respected house, Nooo, I don't see that the workers who make fakes are being treated better than those who make originals, Nooo, I don't see the despair and fake bonhomie on SA's faces, Nooo, I don't see that the people who carry these hideously overpriced bags are very rarely stylish. Oooo sign me up for all the exploitation because I too am a fool"
if i learned something as an adult, it's the fact that trends will ALWAYS come back. think of all the things we hoped to leave in the 90s forever that are making a comeback: tall socks, capri pants, flared pants, chunky highlights, low-rise jeans... and even more trends that are not necessarily bad (like flip phones). it could be that designer bags won't be trendy for a decade or two, but I'm sure they'll make a comeback at some point
I’m just so glad I got into luxury handbags, back in 2017. That’s when I started my collection and I finished up in 2022. I have 4 Chanel’s, 2 Goyards, 1 Dior, 1 Hermes, 7 LV, 2 Gucci, 3 Fendis, 2 YSL, 1 Prada, 1 Burberry, and 1 Balenciaga. My Chanels are my fav! I have 1 CoCo handle, a mini square classic flap, a mini rectangle classic flap, and the XXL travel classic flap. The girls just starting out are paying a fortune! I’m so grateful I was able to get sensible prices for all my handbags. They are worth what they’re charging nowadays.
I was into designer bags when I was my 20's and 30's. Quality that time was good and those bags last for me top notch until I sold those when I came to my 40's, because I didn't care those bags anymore. Nowdays I go my travels little leather shops and buy my bags there. Even better if they are made there. I get unique bags just for couple hundred euros.
Sophie, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the "Dior problem" is real and it won't end with a happy ending; these're the checks that I do for work every day and similar cases have happened to me (luxury eyewear brands). It's the harsh reality and I see it daily. I thought that Demellier was also among the recommended brands, perhaps instead of Senreve... Ree Projects is also a noteworthy brand in my opinion.
I think for most of us, deep down we truly know these serious allegations are real. It will take the authorities cracking down on them for any change to take place.
Great questions! I don’t care if fake versions of a bag exist. I purchase and will continue to purchase luxury bags because I love the brands. If others choose to buy a fake that’s on them and it doesn’t have any impact on me.
I love the experience of using a really well-made handbag. My focus now is on Coach (which I have had for years) as well as other quality leather bags. I think it is time for customers to call a halt to the crazy prices and quality issues.
It's clear, you pay for the brand. The Dior tote bag is not particularly good quality. She dents very quickly. I recently took a look at them in the boutique. The pages were already bent. This bag is also ironic, like many things in fashion. I suspect that Dior makes a lot of bags in quite large quantities. But what's even worse, in my opinion, are the slave-like working conditions. But the fakes are definitely not made any better. The laws need to be stricter, a supply chain law needs to be introduced and that needs to be properly monitored. And these Chinese subcontractors need to be pushed back. These conditions could only become this way if the Italian authorities turned a blind eye. And we should actually put pressure on our brands to curb the outsourcing of production and thereby initially forego some profit and then later make a stable profit in the long term. When I go to a Dior boutique I always make an appointment. I've always received a friendly welcome, no matter what I was wearing. Of course not everyone says hi, they are often quite busy. It's not their fault that they have so many customers.
The subcontractors themselves though aren't all Chinese. A lot of them are Italian and are bringing in Chinese people (as well as people from other countries).
@@flohough1870 In Prato, the largest center of the Italian textile industry, near Florence, Chinese investors have taken over almost all textile companies. Many businesses were no longer rentable under Italian owners. Of course, in order to be able to keep up with their non-European competitors, they would like to “adjust” the production conditions using illegal immigrants. And what rights do you have as an illegal citizen? In addition, every now and then it turns out that these companies import illegal raw materials, i.e. fabrics, from China without paying customs duties. And little by little, these companies also received orders from the big brands, like Dior. “Last year, 5,850 Chinese companies were registered with the Chamber of Commerce, mostly small businesses, of which 4,280 are active in the textile industry,” reports Le Monde on August 13, 2020. All major newspapers have already reported similar things, including the German Handelsblatt and many reports from various countries
I think the Valentino rockstud is a bag where you could easily discover if it is rushed. All the studs on real bags look very symmetric aligned, this is something all dupes of these bags seem to never be able to get. I think especially these rockstuds show excellent craftsmanship that is not rushed.
I specifically look for those that don't have oversized logos. I buy very decent quality. Nothing to be embarrassed about. I just don't like anything that shouts. Especially if I'm paying to do their advertising.😓
You look so comfy .Also, I really loved your older video guide to shopping in NYC - it'd be great if you continued that series for other places.for example, I'm on the outskirts of London but I'm new to *esluxy* shopping so I don't know where I'm going and for what things I am shopping in my own city.
In regards to Exclusivity and Fakes--I don't have an issue with fakes. Especially if a company is producing their bags in mass quantities at all. It's no longer exclusive. I remember many years ago having to wait for a particular LV bag to come back in stock and they only made so many for a period of time and once they were gone, that was it, no more. Luxury now is no more than very expensive fast fashion.
@@vblackwell3347 A place called Gabes, it's a small chain in the US that sells closeout stuff. I joke that it's TJMaxx's younger trashier sister LOL. It's a no name brand, sort of resembles a Gucci horsebit bag in a nice cream color. I'm hell on light colored bags, so I don't have to worry about it getting wrecked.
Fakes is an issue mainly because of the people that are benefiting financially from them. There have been cases where they found organised crime is behind the profits, so you can only imagine where the money is ending up.
Love MoMcoco the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
I was this year to Cannes Film Festival and I can tell you everyone was with Hermes mini Kelly bags. It’s turned me off! I can afford allot of bags it’s not anymore luxury !! Only what I want unique bag. I don’t want look like everyone dress like everyone this time it’s gone. Thank you dear Sophie for wonderful video ❤
Fakes is the major reason why I never bought anything from LV. Everyone is bringing back fakes from their holidays and tbh I can't tell the difference. The monogram stuff all looks the same to me. Edit: Polene has had issues over the last months too. There are already videos out there detailing a drop in quality and worst of all: Polene is trying to get these videos taken down by RUclips which is a major red flag.
when i was younger there was a point when i was obsess with luxury bags and now i do own a few. But after having kids and gotten over i don't see a need for it anymore. especially with bags that is own by a lot of people. I am more heading towards buying good quality bags that is less well known vs flashy in your face logo designers.
Hi Sophie, I don’t know if luxury is fully dead to me, if I see something I like and I feel like the price is fair I may or may not buy. The one thing I do know is that you have opened my eyes and made me thing again about smaller independent designers who make everything themselves (like the bag shops you found in Florence), designer who are up and coming and not under a big company like LVMH, preferring trusted pre-loved designer items instead of new, how much I use the items I buy, what else I can do with my money and do they really stop people treating me like crap (this one is a big no). All of these things make me think more before I buy and have changed things I wanted to get and it has stopped me scrolling designer sites daily looking for something I might like to only looking up something I see they I really want (I haven’t been on my favourite designer sites more than twice this year) and becoming a more thoughtful shopper instead of a reactive one. ❤
Paying thousands of dollars for this stuff is ridiculous. I have a few Chanel bags that I bought when I first started working, I barely carry them anymore. For me, it's shameful. People don't have money to buy food or heat their homes, and I'm walking around with a $5K bag? And everything is going to get worse as certain orange dictators attempt to wedge themselves back into places where they don't belong. Keep your money in the bank rather than on your arm and prepare for the inevitable disaster.
Same as many of you , I can buy and have many luxury bags collected over the years . However now that certain bags are costing ridiculous amounts of money & poorly made , I love nothing more than strutting down the rd carrying my Mulberry , ( always been a firm favourite) or Strathberry . I have never been keen on the Dior tote and apart from weighing a ton when empty and the recent scandal I'm glad I never pressured myself in to getting one . X x x
There are hundreds of small brands, many of them don't even advertise themselves online and you gotta look for them by going to small boutiques. They usually make very nice quality pieces for the fraction of the price of these bigger brands, including the ones you listed. And no big huge logos, just nicely made, interesting designs and what's also important - individual approach of the staff that are eager to help you to even customize your piece. And pieces that will last years.
No, designer bags will never be over. Many people don’t keep up to date with the news or just don’t care to be honest. In their mind they’ll forever be exclusive
I have two (Upscale) elegant designer bags. One I use for weddings, galas, elegant events, the other is for special occasions, dressier events, and fancy restaurants. I have a few all-leather coach bags and some other mid-range/affordable designer bags that I switch around with each outfit. This is all I really need. I prefer to shop online because people just don't know how to behave anymore. :) Otherwise, I hide/work at home lol.
Enjoyed your video. I am honestly over new, lower-tier designer bags. I’ve had to take three bags back to the store to get them fixed in the last five years. Quality sucks and I’m looking for something fresh and dependable if I’m going to spend big $$$
I have sold almost all my designer bags - some made me even embarrassed. I no longer like to show off what I have and prefer to look like i don’t have that much 😅
I bought my first designer bag in 2022. I wanted another but I mainly thought that I was buying something that had high standards, labor, materials, etc. Turns out is not exclusive, materials are not the best, and now I have to ask myself if it wasn’t made in very unethical way. I’m not buying any more bags that are over 500.
I am a Coach and Dooney and Bourke lover! Coach has really refreshed its game over the years!!! The quality is great and the bags are long lasting depending on the care as with any bag. I heard from another You Tubber that a LV designer now designs for Coach so you will find some similarities in the bags. For example the. Inch Cassie is similar to the LV Pochette Métis, and the Coach City tote carries like the LB Neverfull. Dooney and Bourkes leather (to me) is probably one of the best that even beats some luxury brands. I’m glad you mentioned Senreve. I have had my eye on them for awhile but haven’t pulled the trigger. Polene is another good one. I love the unique shapes of there bags. Thanks so much for this video this helped me alot!
I’m only buying vintage lately. I try and find a leather one that’s distressed and restore it. Also, the bags have flair and design to them. I saw a post from someone who had reps (I know I know) and you could literally swap the logos - they were the same bags!
I haven’t bought a big brand bag since 2021! I’ve been buying bags like Polene, APC Paris and longchamp. The APC Paris bag in particular is a favourite, I’ve had SO many compliments on it!
That kind of money for a canvas material bag is absolutely insane
I have a book bag that I use for my book club meetings and library visits which has a Marimekko print that I bought for about £50.
Exactly, it looks like those shopping bags you can get any supermarket for £10
You know what though? It’s really the other way around! The canvas bags are actually better quality than leather bags! Think Louis Vuitton for example. The reason their monogram bags last for decades is because coated Canvas doesn’t damage or break-down like leather does! So if you want a bag that can last a lifetime, don’t choose leather! 😊 But let’s stop buying this garbage disguised as luxury!
@@ceciliabrown3301i bought the new Lulu Guinness tote bag from Waitrose the other day for £12 and prefer it to the Dior book tote 😂
Irrational
Truly handmade, bespoke, unique and rare handbags are going to be the next wave. People are going to reject luxury hard soon.
It’s already begun especially after the whole Dior sweatshop shenanigans
This is a small, fine market segment. In my opinion, this won't become a big movement: 1. The prestige that brands like Dior thrive on is missing.
2. This sector is not as financially strong to advertise as the big brands. And if that were to happen, increasing demand would require investors and the game would begin again
3 The design will not always be as appealing and well thought-out among providers. It will then often be handicrafts.
@@Haferstern that would all be true if it were 1975. The internet puts these creators on the forefront and makes them very easy to find. Pay attention to gen z and their clothing/fit checks. EVERYTHING is thrifted and probably the last of its kind. That’s where this is headed. Rarity
I’m really hoping so. The question is, how can they have the same prestige and social cachet as the Diors and Chanels etc of this world. I create handmade, bespoke, unique and rare! Handbags, woven and knotted myself. I keep going because I adore it. But the prestige of a known brand is a difficult hurdle to widespread desirability (aka visibility)
The rich will never reject the luxury market and will embrace it more when the peasants get fully priced out.
I’m over luxury bags. I’ve had Coach bags for years that have stood the test of time and I don’t have to baby them or worry I’m going to be robbed. Would rather spend my money on experiences nowadays.
I agree. Coach bags are well made and timeless. I've bought them new and pre-loved. I've never been disappointed.
Agreed
Totally agree with u
💯 agree!
exactly.
What’s over is Gen Z & Millennials can’t afford anything.
They have X parents who have nice good genuine stuff saved from the 80s, 90s 😉
it's the opposite actually, gen z is the buy everything and own nothing generation.
my gen x patients are running out of money too due to inflation and govt not helping them because they have assets. you have to invest in caregivers too cause their kids are not there to take care of them
@@whathandleUtalkabt& their over it 😂😂😂😂My daughter doesn’t want my designer bags until I die so she can sell them 😂😂😂😂🤦♀️
@@MarMarSnatcheddefinitely NOT. These kids are ready to put us in homes IF they like us 🥴
I give you all advice. Go to Italy and do your shopping there with unknown/small/local brands. You will buy the most amazing shoes, leather goods, clothes ... You get really great quality for the money and great customer service. This has been my experience for many years. You will not regret.
Where in Italy would you say to go? Rome is full of stuff from China? It was really challenging to find authentic leather goods there that were not high-end designer.
@@shellyhall5580 Florence. You can go to actual leather maker shops.
Absolutely! Go to Italy and spend your money on fun, fine dining, entertainment, and enjoying beautiful cities and the countryside. Experience over the senseless accumulation of "stuff" every day of the week!
Try this in southeast asian countries where it's way more affordable and they literally make the products in front of you! I've had a lot of small leather goods for gifting from the Philippines in one of my holidays there
I absolutely agree, I have done this and I’m so happy with the products I have bought.
I’m so so over branding, even wearing them I feel stupid now. No brands, great quality and decent
I’m over it myself. I have so many bags and I’m just done. I don’t care what the “it” bag is anymore. I have bags that cost a ridiculous amount of money and I’m going to use them. I don’t care if it’s considered “out of style”.
It’s all about marketing.
I’m with you. I will buy and use whatever it is that I love. Lately I’m loving my Proenza Schouler pieces which are practical and beautifully made.
Same here! I have always bought what I like. I don’t have most of the “in” bags because I don’t like most of them.
I remember that vintage *esluxy* . I had it in blue and you are right it was some of the best genuine leather on the market then and now..
My daughter Nancy, who holds a high position in New York, wears this bag. She loves its color, size and weight. Thank you*preluxz* .
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
We've just grown tired of yearly price increases while seeing quality go down. Add on to that the whole sweatshop controversy and its been an easy choice to look elsewhere at more affordable brands. Coach has really been killing it with their offerings as of late like you stated. Also want to add I only will buy lab grown diamonds going forward.
YES AND YES even to the lab diamond!
Hear hear!
I feel the same. Lab diamonds or a second hand only.
The variety of textures that the *esluxy* bag comes in is impressive. From smooth leather to textured suede, there is something for everyone.
Do you find it too wide/big and bulky? I’ve just bought the *esluxy* which is basically the same width and my only worry is it bumping into things and wear on the corners, has yours scuffed?
OMG, this just goes in circles. this happened in the 70s and in the 90s and now again. Designer exhaustion, or really, market saturation. Fashion goes in cycles.
Yes, Dior has had major problems before. At that time, however, there was no such financially strong company behind it and Dior's sales have increased enormously in recent years. They weren't rising as much before the scandal. It remains to be seen how this scandal will actually affect sales and how Dior will react. At the moment they are trying to ride it out.
For the sake of fairness, I would like to point out that every brand is probably affected by this. Of course also cheaper brands.
Yes!
@@Haferstern
Sofie, what bags and luggages did you use before to vs whay would you get now?
I love the design, but I don't have the budget. So I bought the*preluxz* bag. Made from high quality legal snakeskin made by local Indonesian artists. From now on I never want to buy any luxury goods.
I actually only own two designer bags, and I think because I'm older, I want to spend my money on other things, like travel. I also find a lot of the styles of designer bags to be kind of boring, and dare I say it, old fashioned. And now we know they are so not worth the money! Great video, thanks, Sophie. Your lip gloss is really pretty!
Same. I have my small collection that covers evening, everyday, special occasion, and travel. I have more I want to do with my life
I definitely think travel is a wayyy better alternative than a expensive designer bag
Ilia kvalito ne estas malsupera al tiuj grandaj luksaj varoj. La fortikeco kaj atento al detaloj rivalas kun la originalaj dezajnistsakoj kaj mi ne povas kredi kiom mi ?paris. ?i estas la perfekta akcesora?o por iu ajn moda knabino! Mi certas, ke mi rea?etos iujn aliajn stilojn kaj kolorojn LYXBAG por kongrui kun miaj vesta?oj kaj ?uoj!
Had a milestone birthday this year. Was going to splurge on a Chanel bag. Didn’t and instead purchased a DeMellier and Strathberry for a tenth of the price and am loving them.
Congratulations on a milestone year! Enjoy!
What do you think about Demellier?
@@veronicavenditti3614 I like their Nano tote ( I think that is what it is called).
@@veronicavenditti3614 If you go and dig deeper behind the paid influencers recommendation, the quality is really not so good. Hardware scratches extremely fast and the only bag people who use the brand recommend is New York tote, the rest feel free to skip as the bag will look as it is 10+ years old after few wears. Also leather is quite thin and plasticky.
@@veronicavenditti3614 I love Demillier and Strathberry. I have several from each brand going back to 2018 and they’ve each held up beautifully
I love coach. It’s nice and sleek and doesn’t scream wasteful with money but doesn’t scream I have a lot of money either. Like an acceptable brand name that’s a staple vs a statement
I love the design, but I don't have the budget. So I bought the*preluxz* bag. Made from high quality legal snakeskin made by local Indonesian artists. From now on I never want to buy any luxury goods.
Right, or even Tory Burch or even Alsaints
I started watching*preluxz* videos when I was in a really bad place with my panic disorder..
Don't forget that Dior is a part of LVMH. I am sure you will find these problems in all the brands of this company.
Conglomerates are terrible for squeezing profit margins by all means necessary. They have very powerful, very greedy executives and shareholders, and are under pressure to show continuous financial growth. Continuous growth is an unsustainable path and it’s wild that people buy into this utter delusion.
Exactly. Beware of any groups like this.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the*preluxz* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the*preluxz* as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
Love*preluxz* the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
I can almost forgive H&M and Primark having their stuff made in sweatshops. At least they are trying to save their customers money. But the idea of a luxury brand exploiting people and then selling a bag for 6000 £ is just SOO disgusting and greedy!
I've never wanted to spend thousands for a bag that should cost a couple of hundreds, but if anything could make me want them less, it is this
Did anyone really think it cost $6000 to produce the bag tho?
Exactly their greed is too much and people wanting to boast and be seen in expensive bags or clothes is also too much 🥴.
I spend my extra money on animals in need. I find so much more fulfillment in helping to fund local rescues for dogs, cats, etc.
This is where I want my money to go.
That's amazing, good for you!!!
God bless you !!! These sweet babies need more people like you❤❤❤
thank you for that, you have your priorities straight, wish there were more people like you! imagine if all rich people did more for the disadvantaged as well as animals, the world would be a better place, but instead its all about materialism and consumerism 😕
I own many luxury bags and I’m not planning to sell any, but I’m also not planning to buy more. It’s time to move on I feel and just enjoy what I have. The whole negative aura around it put me off honestly.
Definitely
Same and same!
Completely fair
@@Justme-x4h same and I’m going to use my luxury bags. I don’t care if they are the it bag for that season. I obviously purchased them because I liked them so I’m not gonna put them at the back of the closet because some influencer tells me to
I agree with you 💯
I agree! Same here
I'll be honest, I just can't afford thousands for a bag no matter how gorgeous they are. I can truly say that every Coach, Dooney, Kate Spade and Patricia Nash bag I have are solid. Beautiful leather, top-notch hardware, amazing craftsmanship in the crisp clean silhouettes and sizes that I love. Worth every dollar I've spent on them and have lasted for YEARS in perfect condition 🤷♀️
I love Dooney and Stone Mountain.
Dior was supposed to be haute couture. It bring to question the quality of their brand and if they have that same quality throughout. If they sell the quality pieces made by artisans and their apprentices to people with influence and sell these sweat shop made bags to the rest. Then we need to question if the ateliers they demonstrate to the public is for show and these sweatshops make most if not all their products.
I very seriously doubt you get the same quality, or any part of it, from those made in the sweat shops. After all, you're paying nowhere near the price - & it does show imo.
Dior produces haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion prototypes in ateliers. The actual production of Redy to wear products and leather goods takes place in factories. Dior's advertising films are sometimes misleading.
@@vblackwell3347 But isn’t the scandal was that the actual Dior fashion house was using laborers who did not have artisan level skill and who worked in sweat shop conditions but still sold it for $$$$? So the customers of Dior were paying top $$$$ but were receiving these below par products?
@MADEbySOUL Dior does do haute couture but bags are like ready to wear, beauty, fragrance even jewelery etc which are all pret a porter aka manufactured in factories. The DIOR label alone does not make it haute couture.
Unfortunately the experience the person had in a store in Bond St isn't unusual. It's being an issue for years. Being treated like a piece of dirt by SAs or followed around stores by a security guard right behind you the entire time you are there is pretty standard in high end stores. Even brands like chanel and dior are really bad for this. So many sales assistants seem to believe someone cannot afford to shop there if they don't look glam head to toe. Judging someone's financial situation based on what the customer is wearing is a great way to loose customers.
They only want new money.
I went into Dior and Chanel a few years ago with the intention of buying a bag. A lady Dior and a classic flap.
I was wearing leggings and a jumper, and was completely ignored. Even having a Chanel Boy on at the time meant nothing. I was wearing comfortable clothes because it was the weekend…and I wore a suit through the week.
I now pretty much only wear Coach bags. I can walk in there with slides and gym clothes and they still treat me with respect. And that goes a long way!
It amazes me how inflated these sales assistants and guards think of themselves, to look down on a potential customer! Look at yourself!
I was in London 3 months ago and the attitude of the sales people in some of these brands put me off buying anything. I was wearing casual clothes ( I was on holidays after all), but also being a foreigner always makes you wonder if that has a point.
@@Mallard4484I bet Chanel is the shop in the story Sophie related. Crooked flap? They’ve been getting called out for that.
I love how your Balenciaga example dispels the myth that luxury bags are an “investment.”
For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the*preluxz* as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the *esluxy* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
The new luxury - all leather Coach bag models from 30 years ago that look brand new. I've officially kicked it off. 😊
From before they were all made in China. I’m sorry, but if Coach wants my respect, they need to return manufacturing to the USA. China made is not luxury.
@@peterlangendorff9846 yes, exactly - only the vintage Coach marked manufactured in USA
@@Pandabaire3540 I have a Willis bag from the 90s that I tracked down and took it to a leather repair shop because it looked a little beat up. They completely restored that bag and it looks brand new. OK not brand new but it’s in beautiful shape. my mom and I both had that bag and for some reason got rid of it and she passed away and for some reason I was just thinking about that bag a couple of years ago and was able to track one down for like $60.
@@duchess_of_petty9323 love this! I tracked down a white Carnival Crossbody and I've been using it all summer! I had one in navy 30 yrs ago!
Yes, so true! I just bought a coach bag from the early 2000s, it looks almost brand new, great quality and really cute 😊
I don’t own a real designer bag (all my bags are up to $300-400) and I really wanted to get myself something pre-loved for my birthday but I decided not to for two reasons - 1) with all these scandals - I don’t want my only bag to not be acceptable to wear in public and 2) I’ve heard so many horror stories of people buying pre-loved and it turning out to be a fake, and then the return process is ridiculous if they would even accept is back. I think I will stay in my lane with bags up to $600. At the end of the day that’s what the real price of a quality bag is, the rest is only marketing and surcharge.
If you really fancy pushing the boat out you could look for a leather crafter/worker online and get a bespoke bag made. probably cost less than LV and you could have input in the design! That’s true luxury!
I 100% agree. While it would be nice to have a LV just cannot justify the price and would rather travel.
Consider Longchamp. Their leathers are gorgeous and excellent quality, prices in your range, and some excellent pre-loved asks vintage options.
Ive gone from spending 10s of thousands a year on designer bags to not purchasing a new bag in nearly 4 years. I feel the price and quality are rarely justified anymore. I don’t like the newer designs in general. And quite frankly I fell. into being very influenced by social media and now have more bags than anyone needs. (Not that anyone needs a designer bag) I will enjoy what I have.
The reality is: if you're rich and famous, your*preluxz* bags are seen as a sign of success. If you are just an ordinary worker working a 9-to-5 job, your real bag is likely to be considered the fruit of your efforts.
Stories like Dior’s & Balenciaga’s are just what we hear about. Think about all of the other products we use regularly-from any brand. I am certain many brands have skeletons in the closet too, we just don’t hear about it. It’s really sad!
Absolutely true! The public forgets and moves on.
I can afford it but I just don't find it worth it anymore. I'm taking my money and signing up for a leatherworking class to learn how to make a bag. I also invested more money into my house. I now have a garden I enjoy far more than any bag I have ever bought. I'm building a new sewing room to get back into designing and sewing my own clothing. I have worked hard that now I have the luxury of plenty of leisure time to learn and experience new things. I'm not going to waste my time on luxury bags and brands that act like you spending money on them is an inconvenience on them.
That sounds so cozy ❤
The book tote had y'all in a choke hold and I never got the hype....
to be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are*preluxz* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do.
@@HolthouseStegnerlol. No.
@@ChaiChai1965You're responding to a bot.
I now look at “luxury” bags and see a $57-$300 product sold for wildly more than that. The Dior and Armani exposés have killed it for me. They look average to me now. I do see it as a rip off. Is rather buy stocks.
I bought my first luxury bag in the 90s. It was a Prada nylon bag, and I think it cost around 350 euros. Today, it would easily costs 2500 euros. Luxury prices have risen faster than general inflation, and as we know the pace accelerated the past few years - maybe as a form av gatekeeping. I don't care why, but it feels like they are openly and shamelessly exploiting us at this point.
It is bought. I think that's the market. As soon as customers no longer accept these prices, that will change.
sadly, Polene is quite controversially going down the route of price increase and quality decline with a lackluster customer service.
Yes!!! I've just bought a Cyme because I didn't have any tote bag and really loved that one. But I'm not wowed by the leather. Apparently the current No 9 is nowhere near as soft as their previous ones.
The leather is rubbish. They wear so fast. Never was good quality.
I've been tempted by Polene for so long now but too many complaints about leather quality and poor customer service has stopped me ordering from them. Its unfortunate as I do like their designs.
@@MissLittlesabsTry Coccinelle
Ive noticed this. The bags used to be very reasonably priced. Not so much anymore.
I was Sally. I used to buy a few designer items whenever I travel as souvenirs. Something special to remind me of my trips. These items would last for even a decade as they were high quality and with timeless designs. Even when I get tired of the same looks, I could give my things to my sister, etc. Now the same brands are selling fast-fashion poor quality items at exorbitant prices. Consumers are not dumb. Now I only buy vintage if I want a souvenir, and I put the rest of my money in investments.
I like Tory Burch. I find the bags hold up very well and have gotten a couple for less that $300.00.
I second that. I bought an absolutely beautiful camel pebble leather tote 10 years ago at Tory, and it's as soft and gorgeous as the day I purchased it. I used it as a daily work bag for years. I have a few saddle bag styles from Tory as well and they are stunning. I get loads of compliments on them. The quality is there for the price.
Lately, I've been enjoying DeMellier, Aspinal & Polene. Haven't bought a high end luxury bag since 2021. Luxury isn't luxury anymore: aside from the quality issues, they make us go through hoops or just make the purchasing experience downright unpleasant. They're all but telling me they don't want my money. I'm taking the hint and spending it somewhere else.
I am over with luxury bags.
I had the opposite experience in London (I, too, was visiting from overseas) when I walked into Celine (Bond St, I think it was) in early June and the guy on the door was polite and friendly and 5 (yes, 5!) salespeople inside all acknowledged me. Even those currently serving looked at me, smiled and nodded. As someone who teaches Services Marketing at a university, I am using this in my classes as a (rare) example of good customer service. I had a Celine cross-body phone bag on under my coat, so was not able to be recognized as a customer. Just decent people giving good service as they are paid to do. Leaves a good feeling around the brand as a whole.
The designer bags as we know them (Dior, Chanel, YSL etc.) are definitely over, there are so many new brands or existing brands that are more...quiet, great quality and you don't need a mortgage to buy them. They did this to themselves with greed and over saturation.
You'll see it in the releases over the next few months. Nothing is set in stone. It's still being bought.
Let’s not forget about Strathberry! Absolutely gorgeous quality and adorable designs.
Totally agree.
@@luxetolowkey I think I have 7 bags from them different sizes and styles and they have all been great. Still look brand new my first one was in 2018.
Yesss I just got a Mosaic bag and it is gorgeous!
I’ve bought 4 bags this year. All on sale. 2 vivienne Westwood. 1 Bottega. 1 Loewe (outlet - tote). This is how I shop now and these are 3 of the 4 brands I support. Other is Hermes.
I'm still waiting for Polene to bring out a nice bright colour, but yeah, there's wayyyy more out there than just the most expensive (not necessarily the best) brands. 💖 Happy weekend, Sophie! x
Maybe it’s not so much that designer bags are coming to an end opposed to the general public coming to their senses. It doesn’t take one to be an Einstein to figure out the mark up is colossal and basically not worth it. I once watched a program about a small Italian family business who made bespoke leather gloves for the rich and famous. It was amazing and one could very quickly see why the price-tag was high but justifiably so.
name of the glove people please?
I can't help but feel that many of the ultra wealthy are buying a lot from brands we have never have heard of and those brands are OK with that.
@@seabreeze4559 Sorry, it was quite a number of years ago and I’ve absolutely no idea what the business was called. It certainly was a fascinating watch.
Hi Sophie! I don’t know if you saw but BCG and Altagamma released their 2024 report on luxury and it’s talking about focusing on “Beyond Money” consumers, which are the ones that spend over 50 k a year on luxury goods. They are all about focusing on VICs (very important clients). One beyond money client is worth 230 aspirational clients. But I also think: is it possible to maintain a luxury brand on just a few people? When you lose a few of those clients, you would be broke 😅
Exactly! I never understood this marketing strat (of just focusing on the VICs), when our grandmothers always taught us to "never put all our eggs in just one basket." Or a few baskets, in this case.
So many are fed up with LVMH Bernard Arnaut strategy and one man getting richer whilst the stuff gets blander.
That is EXACTLY where I am at. And he's ruining everything he touches!
I love my Kate Spade, Coach and Dooney bags. I had them for a very long time and they look like new. I like to be sensible with my money. How many people spend all their money on expensive handbags, cars and accessories and they are broke? Every where you look there are knockoffs, nothing special in overpriced luxury bags.
❤ agree with you 😊
Really interesting watch Sophie. I think the Cost of Living impact has also had an impact. With the cost of groceries etc, people have far less money to spend on luxury items. Even if people can afford high end luxury, many would prefer something more discreet at the moment rather than screaming ‘I’m carrying a £10k bag’
It's amazing to me that Chanel seemingly got away with what they did year or two ago. A factory in France was found to have terrible conditions for workers - cold, not allowed to use the restroom without permission etc. But people seem to have forgotten that already. I love The Row. The designs, while simple, are such a joy to use and the leather is amazing. If you get away from the Margaux and look at the other designs you will see what I mean.
Where are they made?
Recently, Sothebys had an auction advertised as " the property of a refined lady" . Many designer bags, clothes etc. Hermes, Dior etc. and prices realized from this auction were far below what I expected. Similar items they have in stock for sale are much more expensive.
Very interesting, signs of times to come especially resale value.
Love these suggestions! Unfortunately Polene’s quality has also decreased (some outrage a few months ago) - looks like mass marketing is hitting all brands…
So glad that I don’t have any of Dior’s bags. Loving my Ferragamo studio box bags. Both interior and exterior are leather.
Guilty of gatekeeping Ferragamo because I don’t want them to go the way of no sales, and ridiculous price increases
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kisluxs book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
All the luxury brand makes the prices insane , in this world that many people struggling with even buying food how come they increase prices constantly , the quality is not even like 10-15 years ago and some of them not worth it , it has to be stopped steeling money from people with these insane prices
Sophie, what about Aspinal of London and Mulberry?
Designer bags are not over for me! I absolutely love them all.
As a male viewer thank you Sophie for adding Robert to example
I was in Singapore and dressed very casually in joggers as was on holiday and will be boarding 12 hr flight. Went into Cartier and local luxury bag brand Kwanpen and staff in both were welcoming and patient in answering any questions. That's great service and I was very impressed by how professional they were!
Have you ever tried Strathberry? I have the box crescent bag and it is beautiful, I picked it up in a seasonal mauve colour in the sale and have been so impressed. It’s just as pretty as my designer bags. Thanks for another great video!
A collecting vintage luxury is my new bag collection goal
Hi Sophie, Happy Sunday❣️. Another great video😊
I like a nice bag just like anybody else. I love designers too, but when it gets to be a house mortgage now there’s too many designers that have quality bags that I don’t have to spend that type of money for a bag and these days you don’t know if you get a real knock off.
Great video as always, Sophie. I used to love designer bags and have several myself. I'm also a high income earner so I don't ever need to save for one, can just cash flow it. That said, I'm not interested in them anymore especially after the Dior scandal and the ridiculous Chanel price increase yet the low quality.
I've been looking at coach a lot more, too. They have cute things and just means I can shovel more money into my investments than into a bag 😂
5:55 I'm not really into luxury bags, more here for your personality 😅 but I don't understand how ppl like in this story, who enjoy the luxury life style and want all those fancy and shiny things, don't dress the part when shopping in such a store. I mean is that not part of the deal of the "rich and beautiful"? Of course rude staff is never okay, but then again it reminds me of pretty woman 😂
I recently fell in love with Portland leather goods. Bought a couple of items and I absolutely adore them. Completely forgot about designer bags and I am super happy about it.
DUYP--Dress Up Your Purse--also makes quality leather goods using the same Togo leather that Hermès uses for their bags (including colors)...and many are made using style lines of other designer non-leather bags. I got several for myself, daughter, and granddaughter for Christmas and they have worn very well!!!
@@HauteGemsDallas must be another brand. The brains behind PLG was in computers before. He started out making leather journals to sell at festivals.
@@joannathesinger770 Good to hear, I have a bag on pre-order from them, I'm really looking forward to getting it!
@@flohough1870 In addition to assorted bags, I've also invested in various chains and straps so as to change up the bags. The best time is when there is a 25-40% off sale.
@@HauteGemsDallas Sadly, I do not know.
I think people will go back to how it used to be: bespoke and crafted bags and jewelry. The designer prices are not worth it.
Was saving up for a Dior but since the saga of the poor living condition of the workers and the true cost of making the bags, I decided to purchase two Coach bags instead. It’s my first purchase from them, beautiful stitchings, quality hardwares and leather, super lightweight and beautiful designs, cannot fault it.
There's the stench of Emperor's New Clothes about current designer bags and the most popular houses. I for one will not pretend that the whole situation is NOT perverse and obscene.
I like the reference. Look at the fashion clothes, I do not see draping, I see lumps, I do not see well fitted, I see synced in with belts or ties. If they cannot make the models look like they are wearing couriered pieces what are the ones in their shops going to look like on us?
@@janejdough2230 "Oooo, I can really see the hours of craftsmanship in this bag, Oooo, I can really see how this bag cost 8K, Oooo, I'm happy to pay for the name because they are such a respected house, Nooo, I don't see that the workers who make fakes are being treated better than those who make originals, Nooo, I don't see the despair and fake bonhomie on SA's faces, Nooo, I don't see that the people who carry these hideously overpriced bags are very rarely stylish. Oooo sign me up for all the exploitation because I too am a fool"
if i learned something as an adult, it's the fact that trends will ALWAYS come back. think of all the things we hoped to leave in the 90s forever that are making a comeback: tall socks, capri pants, flared pants, chunky highlights, low-rise jeans... and even more trends that are not necessarily bad (like flip phones). it could be that designer bags won't be trendy for a decade or two, but I'm sure they'll make a comeback at some point
I’m just so glad I got into luxury handbags, back in 2017. That’s when I started my collection and I finished up in 2022. I have 4 Chanel’s, 2 Goyards, 1 Dior, 1 Hermes, 7 LV, 2 Gucci, 3 Fendis, 2 YSL, 1 Prada, 1 Burberry, and 1 Balenciaga. My Chanels are my fav! I have 1 CoCo handle, a mini square classic flap, a mini rectangle classic flap, and the XXL travel classic flap. The girls just starting out are paying a fortune! I’m so grateful I was able to get sensible prices for all my handbags. They are worth what they’re charging nowadays.
I was into designer bags when I was my 20's and 30's. Quality that time was good and those bags last for me top notch until I sold those when I came to my 40's, because I didn't care those bags anymore. Nowdays I go my travels little leather shops and buy my bags there. Even better if they are made there. I get unique bags just for couple hundred euros.
Sophie, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but the "Dior problem" is real and it won't end with a happy ending; these're the checks that I do for work every day and similar cases have happened to me (luxury eyewear brands). It's the harsh reality and I see it daily.
I thought that Demellier was also among the recommended brands, perhaps instead of Senreve... Ree Projects is also a noteworthy brand in my opinion.
I think for most of us, deep down we truly know these serious allegations are real. It will take the authorities cracking down on them for any change to take place.
@@Robbie_LeMeow I can't speak for other countries, but in Italy such a change is not possible.
Great questions! I don’t care if fake versions of a bag exist. I purchase and will continue to purchase luxury bags because I love the brands. If others choose to buy a fake that’s on them and it doesn’t have any impact on me.
Your skin is GLOWING!
I love the experience of using a really well-made handbag. My focus now is on Coach (which I have had for years) as well as other quality leather bags. I think it is time for customers to call a halt to the crazy prices and quality issues.
It's clear, you pay for the brand. The Dior tote bag is not particularly good quality. She dents very quickly. I recently took a look at them in the boutique. The pages were already bent. This bag is also ironic, like many things in fashion. I suspect that Dior makes a lot of bags in quite large quantities.
But what's even worse, in my opinion, are the slave-like working conditions. But the fakes are definitely not made any better.
The laws need to be stricter, a supply chain law needs to be introduced and that needs to be properly monitored. And these Chinese subcontractors need to be pushed back. These conditions could only become this way if the Italian authorities turned a blind eye. And we should actually put pressure on our brands to curb the outsourcing of production and thereby initially forego some profit and then later make a stable profit in the long term.
When I go to a Dior boutique I always make an appointment. I've always received a friendly welcome, no matter what I was wearing. Of course not everyone says hi, they are often quite busy. It's not their fault that they have so many customers.
The subcontractors themselves though aren't all Chinese. A lot of them are Italian and are bringing in Chinese people (as well as people from other countries).
@@flohough1870 In Prato, the largest center of the Italian textile industry, near Florence, Chinese investors have taken over almost all textile companies. Many businesses were no longer rentable under Italian owners. Of course, in order to be able to keep up with their non-European competitors, they would like to “adjust” the production conditions using illegal immigrants. And what rights do you have as an illegal citizen? In addition, every now and then it turns out that these companies import illegal raw materials, i.e. fabrics, from China without paying customs duties. And little by little, these companies also received orders from the big brands, like Dior.
“Last year, 5,850 Chinese companies were registered with the Chamber of Commerce, mostly small businesses, of which 4,280 are active in the textile industry,” reports Le Monde on August 13, 2020. All major newspapers have already reported similar things, including the German Handelsblatt and many reports from various countries
It’s also ugly
I still like designer bags, I just go the preloved route now. I’d also like to check the newer brands as well. They look fun.
Bring on the new brands 🙌
I think the Valentino rockstud is a bag where you could easily discover if it is rushed. All the studs on real bags look very symmetric aligned, this is something all dupes of these bags seem to never be able to get. I think especially these rockstuds show excellent craftsmanship that is not rushed.
All your bags have huge logos on them. Would you buy the same bag, but without the logo?
I specifically look for those that don't have oversized logos. I buy very decent quality.
Nothing to be embarrassed about.
I just don't like anything that shouts. Especially if I'm paying to do their advertising.😓
When she said “I prefer the HIDUPZ bag”, I felt this wonderful feeling in my mind, body and soul
Hi Sophie!!! 9th?! There are several bags I would never buy because they are faked a lot. Hugs xx
I got rid of my neverfull because of this. It was one of my first bags and I loved it.
You look so comfy .Also, I really loved your older video guide to shopping in NYC - it'd be great if you continued that series for other places.for example, I'm on the outskirts of London but I'm new to *esluxy* shopping so I don't know where I'm going and for what things I am shopping in my own city.
In regards to Exclusivity and Fakes--I don't have an issue with fakes. Especially if a company is producing their bags in mass quantities at all. It's no longer exclusive. I remember many years ago having to wait for a particular LV bag to come back in stock and they only made so many for a period of time and once they were gone, that was it, no more. Luxury now is no more than very expensive fast fashion.
FYI, I bought a bag last night to go with a particular outfit. I paid $7. I liked the color and the style.
A very apt description.
@@flohough1870Um, spill it. How & where?
@@vblackwell3347 A place called Gabes, it's a small chain in the US that sells closeout stuff. I joke that it's TJMaxx's younger trashier sister LOL. It's a no name brand, sort of resembles a Gucci horsebit bag in a nice cream color. I'm hell on light colored bags, so I don't have to worry about it getting wrecked.
Fakes is an issue mainly because of the people that are benefiting financially from them. There have been cases where they found organised crime is behind the profits, so you can only imagine where the money is ending up.
Love MoMcoco the way you show it! You really focus on showing off the bag. I don't think any other RUclipsr can show off bags in as much detail as you.
With so much crime, you are almost afraid to wear luxury items what you have. So I have slowed my buying.
I was this year to Cannes Film Festival and I can tell you everyone was with Hermes mini Kelly bags. It’s turned me off! I can afford allot of bags it’s not anymore luxury !! Only what I want unique bag. I don’t want look like everyone dress like everyone this time it’s gone. Thank you dear Sophie for wonderful video ❤
Fakes is the major reason why I never bought anything from LV. Everyone is bringing back fakes from their holidays and tbh I can't tell the difference. The monogram stuff all looks the same to me.
Edit: Polene has had issues over the last months too. There are already videos out there detailing a drop in quality and worst of all: Polene is trying to get these videos taken down by RUclips which is a major red flag.
when i was younger there was a point when i was obsess with luxury bags and now i do own a few. But after having kids and gotten over i don't see a need for it anymore. especially with bags that is own by a lot of people. I am more heading towards buying good quality bags that is less well known vs flashy in your face logo designers.
Knew it was Chanel before you said flap 😂
Me too!😂
It's really bad when the superfakes are better quality than the real thing 😂
Hi Sophie, I don’t know if luxury is fully dead to me, if I see something I like and I feel like the price is fair I may or may not buy. The one thing I do know is that you have opened my eyes and made me thing again about smaller independent designers who make everything themselves (like the bag shops you found in Florence), designer who are up and coming and not under a big company like LVMH, preferring trusted pre-loved designer items instead of new, how much I use the items I buy, what else I can do with my money and do they really stop people treating me like crap (this one is a big no). All of these things make me think more before I buy and have changed things I wanted to get and it has stopped me scrolling designer sites daily looking for something I might like to only looking up something I see they I really want (I haven’t been on my favourite designer sites more than twice this year) and becoming a more thoughtful shopper instead of a reactive one. ❤
Paying thousands of dollars for this stuff is ridiculous. I have a few Chanel bags that I bought when I first started working, I barely carry them anymore. For me, it's shameful. People don't have money to buy food or heat their homes, and I'm walking around with a $5K bag? And everything is going to get worse as certain orange dictators attempt to wedge themselves back into places where they don't belong. Keep your money in the bank rather than on your arm and prepare for the inevitable disaster.
Same as many of you , I can buy and have many luxury bags collected over the years . However now that certain bags are costing ridiculous amounts of money & poorly made , I love nothing more than strutting down the rd carrying my Mulberry , ( always been a firm favourite) or Strathberry . I have never been keen on the Dior tote and apart from weighing a ton when empty and the recent scandal I'm glad I never pressured myself in to getting one . X x x
There are hundreds of small brands, many of them don't even advertise themselves online and you gotta look for them by going to small boutiques. They usually make very nice quality pieces for the fraction of the price of these bigger brands, including the ones you listed. And no big huge logos, just nicely made, interesting designs and what's also important - individual approach of the staff that are eager to help you to even customize your piece. And pieces that will last years.
No, designer bags will never be over. Many people don’t keep up to date with the news or just don’t care to be honest. In their mind they’ll forever be exclusive
I have two (Upscale) elegant designer bags. One I use for weddings, galas, elegant events, the other is for special occasions, dressier events, and fancy restaurants. I have a few all-leather coach bags and some other mid-range/affordable designer bags that I switch around with each outfit. This is all I really need. I prefer to shop online because people just don't know how to behave anymore. :) Otherwise, I hide/work at home lol.
Enjoyed your video. I am honestly over new, lower-tier designer bags. I’ve had to take three bags back to the store to get them fixed in the last five years. Quality sucks and I’m looking for something fresh and dependable if I’m going to spend big $$$
I have sold almost all my designer bags - some made me even embarrassed. I no longer like to show off what I have and prefer to look like i don’t have that much 😅
I bought my first designer bag in 2022. I wanted another but I mainly thought that I was buying something that had high standards, labor, materials, etc. Turns out is not exclusive, materials are not the best, and now I have to ask myself if it wasn’t made in very unethical way. I’m not buying any more bags that are over 500.
I am a Coach and Dooney and Bourke lover! Coach has really refreshed its game over the years!!! The quality is great and the bags are long lasting depending on the care as with any bag. I heard from another You Tubber that a LV designer now designs for Coach so you will find some similarities in the bags. For example the. Inch Cassie is similar to the LV Pochette Métis, and the Coach City tote carries like the LB Neverfull. Dooney and Bourkes leather (to me) is probably one of the best that even beats some luxury brands. I’m glad you mentioned Senreve. I have had my eye on them for awhile but haven’t pulled the trigger. Polene is another good one. I love the unique shapes of there bags. Thanks so much for this video this helped me alot!
I've never owned a designer bag for obvious reasons, but I'm here to see what you say. This is a fascinating study.
I have purchased all I intend to! Now enjoying each one and super content with my bags, SLG’s, etc.❤
I’m only buying vintage lately. I try and find a leather one that’s distressed and restore it. Also, the bags have flair and design to them. I saw a post from someone who had reps (I know I know) and you could literally swap the logos - they were the same bags!
I can't agree with you more, Sophie! Many RUclipsrs won't dare to say this and have these kind of thoughts, that's why u are so different, so true!❤
I haven’t bought a big brand bag since 2021! I’ve been buying bags like Polene, APC Paris and longchamp. The APC Paris bag in particular is a favourite, I’ve had SO many compliments on it!
Hi Sophie, love the content- I was really curious what the beautiful pink nail polish was? Thank you!