Newbie Questions / Intro

[nerf09]

Soo I have recently discovered BV...I was always looking into LV for my first designer bag and although LV is great seems to be too popular and all over these days. I want something stylish, long lasting, an everyday bag, dress up or down. Fortunately one of your fellow BV advocates has influenced my decision to research BV and perhaps purchase one in the next few months. I have been on many of the forums here but my new attraction seems to be BV. I read for months on LV posted questions on Chanel but thanks to a fellow BV'er (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) i got stumped.

So my question is now that I know what the diff between the campagna and veneta styles are what is a INTERCCIATO???? is it just a type of weave?

Also, how do you take care of the bag that is not a canvas? that can get wet in the winter or rain season? and to my understanding the lighter bags can get stained from clothes? ARE ALL THE BAGS HANDMADE?

Just wondering b/c if I am going to buy a bag and save for it than I just want to make sure before I purchase.

I really really like the campagna and veneta...perhaps the veneta more bc of the single shoulder strap and how it sits so nicely on those ppl who have modelled the bag on the forum. Seems like both are popular:)

Thanks guys in advance for your help:)
Nerf09

[jburgh]

Originally Posted by nerf09

Soo I have recently discovered BV...I was always looking into LV for my first designer bag and although LV is great seems to be too popular and all over these days. I want something stylish, long lasting, an everyday bag, dress up or down. Fortunately one of your fellow BV advocates has influenced my decision to research BV and perhaps purchase one in the next few months. I have been on many of the forums here but my new attraction seems to be BV. I read for months on LV posted questions on Chanel but thanks to a fellow BV'er (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) i got stumped. So my question is now that I know what the diff between the campagna and veneta styles are what is a INTERCCIATO???? is it just a type of weave? Also, how do you take care of the bag that is not a canvas? that can get wet in the winter or rain season? and to my understanding the lighter bags can get stained from clothes? ARE ALL THE BAGS HANDMADE? Just wondering b/c if I am going to buy a bag and save for it than I just want to make sure before I purchase. I really really like the campagna and veneta...perhaps the veneta more bc of the single shoulder strap and how it sits so nicely on those ppl who have modelled the bag on the forum. Seems like both are popular:) Thanks guys in advance for your help:) Nerf09

Nerf09 - where to start... First, welcome to the BV subforum. Lots of wonderful people here with lots of information and passion to share.

Intrecciato is the Italian word for "interlaced" or "woven." Most woven BVs are made using a flat base leather piece with little slits cut into it. Then leather strips are woven through the slits. So, it is not like how the old fashioned pot holders were made...remember those?

BVs are handmade in Italy of very high quality materials. BV and Hermes have the same leather and exotic skin sources. My SA recently told me that most of the BV craftspeople are long time employees. The person who cuts and works the crocodile skins has been with BV for 35 years, and when he is not there, no croc bags are made.

As far as care, BV does not recommend you treat any of the leather bags. However some of us do spray a protectant such as AppleGarde. If your bag gets wet, you want to wipe it dry immediately. This is critical with exotics.

Color transfer can be a problem with most any brand of bag. If you wear jeans and carry a light color bag, there may be dye transfer to the bag. I've also heard of the transfer going the other way, dye from a dark bag getting onto light colored clothes.

Good luck with your decision on a bag. I'd love a large Campana some day. Right now I am carrying my pleated Veneta.

[nerf09]

Thank you so much jburgh:) for a warm welcome and all the info!
I am thinking of a campana or veneta i like those the best but just saw a bag that i posted with metal straps but it seems like it would be a on the pricey side.
But i am researching and hoping for a bag soon after i do some saving hehe:)
Thanks again!

[BookerMoose]

Originally Posted by jburgh

Nerf09My SA recently told me that most of the BV craftspeople are long time employees. The person who cuts and works the crocodile skins has been with BV for 35 years, and when he is not there, no croc bags are made.

Slightly OT, but I really, really hope BV is doing some big time succession planning... long time employees have a nasty habit of retiring (or worse). Gulp!

And welcome Nerf09 - I fell in love with BV a little over a year ago and although that made the past year an expensive one, I do love everything I have since acquired!

[Mid-]

Hi there, nerf09, welcome to the BV sub.

I love both my LVs and BVs, and believe both would fulfill your needs for "something stylish, long lasting, an everyday bag, dress up or down", if you choose their classic styles. That being said, if I had to choose just one bag to keep, that would be my campana. I like new pyramid too and am sure to get one next.

Go poke around the reference threads and others, you will sure to find the way to get your perfect first BV. Do you live near boutiques and stores with BV?

And, speaking of BV craftspeople, isn't it about time for some first graduates from the school Tomas Maier started?

[boxermom]

You've come to the right place, nerf, for stylish, classic, versatile, and top quality bags and accessories. BV meets all the criteria. jburgh, our fabulous mod, gave you a really good intro to BV. This is a nice subforum--no drama, just a bunch of men and women who love the brand and help each other.

I've never had color transfer problems but I rarely wear denims. I do my best to protect my bags from water but even when I've been caught in the rain, there haven't been water stains, luckily. If it's pouring, I take a different bag or put it inside a larger tote bag.

Glad to have you here. You'll find bags you love!

[doloresmia]

nerf09 - welcome to bv love. first the leather is completely different sensual experience than an LV bag. you will want to pet your BV, sleep with it because of its softness, etc., i don't know that there are that many LV leathers that i would say that about due to that coating that makes them indestructible, but not strokeable. i have a light bag and have had color transfer issues, so you do need to be a little careful. this is a similar issue that you would have with any light leather, not only a BV issue. if you are someone who wears a lot of jeans, and dark cotton shirts, it might be safer to go with a dark color.

have fun searching through the reference threads and the member's collections! i know i did when i first found this thread!

feel free to ask questions, i don't know if you can tell, but we love talking about BV

[alexis77]

nerf09--I am a recent BV convert. I had always admired the simplicity and understated elegance of BV, and desired a large veneta but thought it was out of my price range. In December I purchased 2 large venetas at fantastic prices. The leather is unlike anything I've ever experienced--so soft and smooth.

I still love my LV accessories for their durability, and have been using my damier speedy due to the weather this past week; but LV does not compare to BV, IMHO.

I just want all of this snow and ice to end so I can use my venetas again!!!

[uclaboi]

Originally Posted by jburgh

Intrecciato is the Italian word for "interlaced" or "woven." Most woven BVs are made is with a flat base leather piece with little slits cut into it. Then leather strips are woven through the slits. So, it is not like how the old fashioned pot holders were made...remember those?

To add to jburgh, the Cabat tote is only fully woven bag.

As for color transfers, the only ones you should be worried about are the light colored bags and accessories (as with any brand, not only BV).

Good luck w/ your search and enjoy the process! I'm sure you'll love BV as much as all of us here.

[nerf09]

THE BV TEAM IS GREAT! I love the passion for the BV brand..I will be back and post more thats for sure. I also like how this forum is small :)
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

[nerf09]

I did not want to start a new thread but have a question...
If you were buying your first everyday BV what would it be and what color?
Right now I am looking at the veneta, slone, and pyramid and in neutral colors...
BUT i am open to options and ideas!

[jburgh]

Originally Posted by nerf09

I did not want to start a new thread but have a question... If you were buying your first everyday BV what would it be and what color? Right now I am looking at the veneta, slone, and pyramid and in neutral colors... BUT i am open to options and ideas!

You really need to try some on. My first BV was the Ferro Sloane. But Sloanes don't work for everyone and some downright dislike the way the style fits. My favorite neutral BV colors are Ferro, Ebano, and Nero.

[uclaboi]

Ebano will be my first choice, then Nero.

[adoptastray]

Ebano was my first and I highly recommend it as a first for anyone! Goes well with both black and brown.

[nerf09]

Does the veneta come in ottone?
Would you recommend an ottone med veneta (if at all available) as a first?
Will it go with everything from summer to winter wear?