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Vintage Leather · Sep 30th, 2009, 04:36 PM

I started collecting BV back when it was an obscure little Italian brand, which no one recognized. I have never had anyone comment on my bv bags before.

Then I went shopping with my DM this morning. I carried a little vintage etoupe (I don't know the proper BV colour name) bag, smooshy with very long straps.

At the first store, (which did specialize in handbags) no one commented. At the second (a clothing store), one of my usual SA's said, "Oh my God, is that Bottega Veneta?!" and spent a few minutes talking about it. She volunteered to adopt my bag, commented on how its elegant shape and beautiful patina. I thought this was a little odd, but...

Then I made it to the third store (a jewelry store this time. We had to complete the trifecta!) Another SA came up to me. In a reverent whisper, she asked, "Is that Bottega Veneta?" She then went on to tell me about how much she loved my bag, and was lusting after a Large Veneta.

Of course, heading to lunch, my DM accused tPF for making BV a popular brand (which is apparently quite horrible, because she now has to pay more for her bags!)

I've never had anyone comment when I am carrying a BV. Fendi, yes - Chanel, yes - Tokidoki, yes. BV - not until now. Have any of you had a non-purse addict recognize your bag? Has it happened more in the last two years, or is it just this region - culture gradually making its way into this corner of the world?

kroquet · Sep 30th, 2009, 04:51 PM

I don't know where you are, but I had an SA at Nordstrom's compliment my Ottone Sloane. She told what a gorgeous Cole Haan I had. I almost died on the spot!!!

I am impressed at the vintage bags getting so many looks. Must have felt nice!

jburgh · Sep 30th, 2009, 05:08 PM

I've only had SAs comment on my BVs. They seem to be the only people who recognize the bag.

piperlu · Sep 30th, 2009, 05:23 PM

People at work make comments about the amount of bags I seem to have. I think they are referring to me changing bags often. Most of the women that I know have maybe 2 bags. One for Fall/Winter and one for Spring/Summer (seriously). So, they'll say things like you and your bags. I don't think most of them know they're designer bags. A couple of people recognize if I carry a Gucci or LV due to the logo's. I had a vendor comment on a Chanel bag once because her mother had one. LOL

ssc0619 · Sep 30th, 2009, 05:41 PM

No one ever recognizes my BV's. I have had people say "that's a nice bag", but nothing more.

kroquet · Sep 30th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I work with a lady that loves my BV bags. She drools over them almost.

Ranag · Sep 30th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by kroquet

I don't know where you are, but I had an SA at Nordstrom's compliment my Ottone Sloane. She told what a gorgeous Cole Haan I had. I almost died on the spot!!!

I am impressed at the vintage bags getting so many looks. Must have felt nice!

ssc- I seriously got a good chuckle out of this one - I will explain why...

I was carrying a 40cm Hermes Kelly while browsing at our local White House Black Market store. The SA came up to me and said "what a cute closure that bag has!". I almost fell through the floor. Of course I just said "thank you" and did not tell her what the bag was. She honestly had no clue. No one around where I live recognizes anything unless it has logos plastered all over it.

While carrying my San Marco bag, I have had SA's at different stores at SCP recognize it from the ad campaign. Most people just do not care or have a clue though.

aaa_1188 · Sep 30th, 2009, 06:24 PM

I overheard SAs at Longchamp boutique whispering how stunning my Montaigne was. Reception ladies who used to be air-stewardess whispering about my Veneta. SAs from bag section that I usually browse at Takashimaya love my Veneta. All SAs.

Ranag · Sep 30th, 2009, 07:27 PM

^^^^
Hay Carumba! That should have read "kroquet" instead of "ssc" in my post above. Senility has set in.

TDL · Sep 30th, 2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by ssc0619

No one ever recognizes my BV's. I have had people say "that's a nice bag", but nothing more.

The statement above is exactly why I love my BVs to death. I personally don't buy BV bags for people to recognize them.

kroquet - ROTFL on your Cole Haan anecdote!

In Malaysia where I'm based right now, there's a state up north that specializes in basket-woven bags made of natural fiber. One of the BV SA's was telling me that they've had locals walk into the BV store here call it that name.

blugenie · Oct 1st, 2009, 12:16 AM

^I went to a tPF Hermes meet once and a tPFer commented on my "Cole Haan" too! (also an Ottone Sloane

). And ranag ROFLMAO at the "cute little closure!"

The only people who recognize my bags are SAs or occasionally customers in boutiques. Most who work in fashion appreciate designers so I consider them addicts too in a sense

It is a lot easier to become knowledgeable thanks to the internet. I don't think of BV as popular but there is a lean in this economy towards quality and design that is enduring and discreet so perhaps more people appreciate BV than say 2 years ago when Logos and Bling were everywhere. I learned most designers from fashion mags over the years, but it probably did take the internet to help me accept that it was possible for me to buy those things in my part of the world! And I don't think Tomas minds one bit

Vintage Leather · Oct 1st, 2009, 12:35 AM

Originally Posted by TDL

The statement above is exactly why I love my BVs to death. I personally don't buy BV bags for people to recognize them.

That's why I love them! I was wondering if I should retire some of my BV bags until they slip into a bit more obscurity...

My bag collection is a little notorious in a lot of the stores where I shop. My collection isn't as posh as most in these forums (no exotics, few LEs), but it is extensive and many bags are rare just because of their condition and age. Most of my bags are older than I am. At the clothing store, the SAs have a running bet on who can guess what I am carrying.
Still, I thought I would confuse them with BV!

aaa_1188 · Oct 1st, 2009, 02:48 AM

I think most BV lovers do not expect "lay ppl" to recognize the brand of their bags but to love the beauty and the quality of the bags. That's why it is fun and "endearing" to have people telling them their "cole haan" is nice or it is a cool bag and cannot tell what brand it is.

I personally love it when one of my male colleague quietly asked me what brand is my bag

TDL:I have friends calling my bags the "ketupat" bags I believe I will soon be called the "ketupat" bag lady.

Ketupat: a type of rice dumplings in South East Asia wrapped in woven coconut leaves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketupat

LLANeedle · Oct 1st, 2009, 05:45 AM

The only comments of recognition or appreciation of my BV bags have come from the SA's in the handbag dept. at Nordstrom. LV rules here especially since an LV store recently opened in our local mall.

TDL · Oct 1st, 2009, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by aaa_1188

TDL:I have friends calling my bags the "ketupat" bags I believe I will soon be called the "ketupat" bag lady.

aaa_1188 - LOL! Should we now start calling you KBL? Or maybe change your tPF name & avatar? (ha ha...) Very timely with the recent Hari Raya festival. BTW, I just remembered the local term the SA told me... "mengkuang". Most of the locals were telling them the BV bags look like it.

For everyone else, the term actually pertains to the leaf/plant that is used for weaving local handicrafts. I believe the English name is screwpine leaves.

Here's a photo of the mengkuang plant:

Examples of mengkuang bags: (also converted to mats, boxes, handicrafts, etc)

Sep 30th, 2009, 04:36 PM	#1
Vintage Leather OP Dreamer and Shopper Joined: Jan 2007 Location: US Posts: 743	Have you ever had a non-purse addict recognize your bag? I started collecting BV back when it was an obscure little Italian brand, which no one recognized. I have never had anyone comment on my bv bags before. Then I went shopping with my DM this morning. I carried a little vintage etoupe (I don't know the proper BV colour name) bag, smooshy with very long straps. At the first store, (which did specialize in handbags) no one commented. At the second (a clothing store), one of my usual SA's said, "Oh my God, is that Bottega Veneta?!" and spent a few minutes talking about it. She volunteered to adopt my bag, commented on how its elegant shape and beautiful patina. I thought this was a little odd, but... Then I made it to the third store (a jewelry store this time. We had to complete the trifecta!) Another SA came up to me. In a reverent whisper, she asked, "Is that Bottega Veneta?" She then went on to tell me about how much she loved my bag, and was lusting after a Large Veneta. Of course, heading to lunch, my DM accused tPF for making BV a popular brand (which is apparently quite horrible, because she now has to pay more for her bags!) I've never had anyone comment when I am carrying a BV. Fendi, yes - Chanel, yes - Tokidoki, yes. BV - not until now. Have any of you had a non-purse addict recognize your bag? Has it happened more in the last two years, or is it just this region - culture gradually making its way into this corner of the world?
	__________________ My Grail Scarf: Les Trois Mousquetaires Everything with Turtles!! Grail Bag 32 cm 1963 black box kelly... HERMES TAMBOUR! Any colour, any leather - I'm not proud

Sep 30th, 2009, 04:51 PM	#2
kroquet Menopausal M. O. B. Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 9,482	I don't know where you are, but I had an SA at Nordstrom's compliment my Ottone Sloane. She told what a gorgeous Cole Haan I had. I almost died on the spot!!! I am impressed at the vintage bags getting so many looks. Must have felt nice!
	__________________ Current Wishlist - Mulberry Alexa in Oak!!!

Sep 30th, 2009, 05:08 PM	#3
jburgh BV, Choo, Ferragamo Joined: Aug 2007 Location: where the Corgis frap Posts: 7,209	I've only had SAs comment on my BVs. They seem to be the only people who recognize the bag.
	__________________ Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Sep 30th, 2009, 05:23 PM	#4
piperlu ~ Peltro Heaven ~ Joined: Jun 2006 Location: At the beach Posts: 9,393	People at work make comments about the amount of bags I seem to have. I think they are referring to me changing bags often. Most of the women that I know have maybe 2 bags. One for Fall/Winter and one for Spring/Summer (seriously). So, they'll say things like you and your bags. I don't think most of them know they're designer bags. A couple of people recognize if I carry a Gucci or LV due to the logo's. I had a vendor comment on a Chanel bag once because her mother had one. LOL
	__________________ Debbie

Sep 30th, 2009, 05:46 PM	#6
kroquet Menopausal M. O. B. Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 9,482	I work with a lady that loves my BV bags. She drools over them almost.
	__________________ Current Wishlist - Mulberry Alexa in Oak!!!

Sep 30th, 2009, 05:41 PM	#5
ssc0619 Some 'Splainin to Do Joined: Mar 2009 Location: New York Posts: 5,979	No one ever recognizes my BV's. I have had people say "that's a nice bag", but nothing more.

Sep 30th, 2009, 06:24 PM	#8
aaa_1188 Member Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 483	I overheard SAs at Longchamp boutique whispering how stunning my Montaigne was. Reception ladies who used to be air-stewardess whispering about my Veneta. SAs from bag section that I usually browse at Takashimaya love my Veneta. All SAs.
	__________________ Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love Psalm 59:17, AMP

Sep 30th, 2009, 07:27 PM	#9
Ranag Advanced Shopaholic Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Drooling Over A Handbag... Posts: 3,582	^^^^ Hay Carumba! That should have read "kroquet" instead of "ssc" in my post above. Senility has set in.
	__________________ ~~ He Reigns ~~ Wish List: 35cm Birkin in Vert Anis with Gold Hardware (no box or epsom leathers) Cyclamen Birkin Louis Vuitton Corsaire From 2007 Runway Collection

Oct 1st, 2009, 12:16 AM	#11
blugenie Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,745	^I went to a tPF Hermes meet once and a tPFer commented on my "Cole Haan" too! (also an Ottone Sloane ). And ranag ROFLMAO at the "cute little closure!" The only people who recognize my bags are SAs or occasionally customers in boutiques. Most who work in fashion appreciate designers so I consider them addicts too in a sense It is a lot easier to become knowledgeable thanks to the internet. I don't think of BV as popular but there is a lean in this economy towards quality and design that is enduring and discreet so perhaps more people appreciate BV than say 2 years ago when Logos and Bling were everywhere. I learned most designers from fashion mags over the years, but it probably did take the internet to help me accept that it was possible for me to buy those things in my part of the world! And I don't think Tomas minds one bit
blugenie Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,745

Oct 1st, 2009, 02:48 AM	#13
aaa_1188 Member Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 483	I think most BV lovers do not expect "lay ppl" to recognize the brand of their bags but to love the beauty and the quality of the bags. That's why it is fun and "endearing" to have people telling them their "cole haan" is nice or it is a cool bag and cannot tell what brand it is. I personally love it when one of my male colleague quietly asked me what brand is my bag TDL:I have friends calling my bags the "ketupat" bags I believe I will soon be called the "ketupat" bag lady. Ketupat: a type of rice dumplings in South East Asia wrapped in woven coconut leaves. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketupat
	__________________ Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love Psalm 59:17, AMP

Oct 1st, 2009, 05:45 AM	#14
LLANeedle Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,445	The only comments of recognition or appreciation of my BV bags have come from the SA's in the handbag dept. at Nordstrom. LV rules here especially since an LV store recently opened in our local mall.

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