$35,000 Handbag vs. $35 Handbag

[jellyv]

Even though the fake Kelly might not have been as well-made as the original one, what the video prooves is that high-end bags are really, really overpriced.

Easy enough to argue, but the evidence of the video is, there is the approximation by a hobbyist and then there's something else. The two are totally unrelated in quality, and frankly, the training it takes to produce what is arguably the best made goods is not easy to put a price on. Same as for a fine violin or an oil painting.


and on a sidenote, to me, Claude seemed very surprised, almost shocked at how well-made the fake Kelly was done.

I don't think the visual info shows anything more than a polite person on camera. With his training and level of achievement, he can afford to be gracious while at the same time fully aware of the universe separating him from the hobbyist who used a "paper doll" version to try to reproduce.

[bagfever]

Wow...I would feel really "accomplisheded" if I can make a handbag like that!

[trisha48228]

The artist did a great job.

[DreamingBeauty]

Did anyone really think Claude or the Hermes SA was going to get nasty or rude over the homemade Kelly bag on national TV? They aren't stupid, they know they are representing the Hermes brand so why wouldn't they be gracious? Hermes gets enough bad press with their famed waitlists, preferential treatment for getting access to Birkins in exchange for how much other things one buys, denying Oprah a bag (and Oprah was wrong on this one but it's about public perception and many still view Hermes as racist b/c they only hear Oprah's side). They can't just afford to be gracious, they kind of have to be especially in this economy.

[Liberté]

Originally Posted by jennytalula

ve to say everyone who carries a Kelly has style, like in the video, is so wrong. Everyone who carries a Kelly has money, and some even may have style. But money doesn't equal style! .

I totally agree with you. I hope that the interview was at the very least badly edited in this case, because for anyone working for a fashion magazine to say such a thing seems rather ill judged, immature and maybe even unknowledgeable especially considering which business they are in. I must say the reaction of that trainee was the most shocking part of the video imo. =P

[aaallabama]

Originally Posted by DreamingBeauty

I find it really sad that some women can only feel they "arrived" when they buy an expensive handbag or any other possession. So all a woman is is her property and how much money is in her wallet? What about feeling warm and fuzzy inside b/c of who you are as a person, not what you own? Some of the most selfless, giving, wonderful people will never own a designer handbag, and you know what, most of them couldn't care less b/c they get their warm and fuzzies from what they do for others, not what they have or don't have. I love handbags and fashion as much as the next TPFer, but getting a new handbag is never going to hold a candle to the high I get from helping others when I go to work everyday.

^^ ITA...

[Prada Psycho]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Bwahahah when Claude saw the faux, hand-made Kelly he wanted to set it on fire...

My thoughts exactly.

He was soooo diplomatic. I don't know how he did that with a straight face!!!

[Prada Psycho]

The one thing that rarely gets mentioned about Hermes bags is that part of that price tag comes with lifetime care and maintenance of the bag. It's not just bags purchased at an Hermes boutique either. You can buy an authentic Hermes bag from eBay, consigners, resellers, etc. and if you need work done on your bag, Hermes will take the bag in and refurbish, clean, replace broken parts, etc.

Case in point: I bought an Hermes Trim that had been stored apparently for decades. Structrually, it was sound but the leather was in a not so great state. I did some restoration work to it, took it to Hermes to be sent off to the "spa" to finish the job. They did a gorgeous job and didn't charge me a cent. How many other designers out there take care of our bags like that?

Would I pay still pay 8K for a boutique fresh bag? If I could afford it, I'd do it in a NY nano-second. But not to make a statement, not to give me some superficial sense that I had "arrived" but because I admire quality craftsmanship and customer service after the sale.

[Grace123]

Originally Posted by Prada Psycho

The one thing that rarely gets mentioned about Hermes bags is that part of that price tag comes with lifetime care and maintenance of the bag. It's not just bags purchased at an Hermes boutique either. You can buy an authentic Hermes bag from eBay, consigners, resellers, etc. and if you need work done on your bag, Hermes will take the bag in and refurbish, clean, replace broken parts, etc. Case in point: I bought an Hermes Trim that had been stored apparently for decades. Structrually, it was sound but the leather was in a not so great state. I did some restoration work to it, took it to Hermes to be sent off to the "spa" to finish the job. They did a gorgeous job and didn't charge me a cent. How many other designers out there take care of our bags like that? Would I pay still pay 8K for a boutique fresh bag? If I could afford it, I'd do it in a NY nano-second. But not to make a statement, not to give me some superficial sense that I had "arrived" but because I admire quality craftsmanship and customer service after the sale.

I completely concur with you, PP!

And one of these days, hopefully before I'm completely senile, a Birkin shall live with me.

[crochetbella]

Originally Posted by Prada Psycho

The one thing that rarely gets mentioned about Hermes bags is that part of that price tag comes with lifetime care and maintenance of the bag. It's not just bags purchased at an Hermes boutique either. You can buy an authentic Hermes bag from eBay, consigners, resellers, etc. and if you need work done on your bag, Hermes will take the bag in and refurbish, clean, replace broken parts, etc. Case in point: I bought an Hermes Trim that had been stored apparently for decades. Structrually, it was sound but the leather was in a not so great state. I did some restoration work to it, took it to Hermes to be sent off to the "spa" to finish the job. They did a gorgeous job and didn't charge me a cent. How many other designers out there take care of our bags like that? Would I pay still pay 8K for a boutique fresh bag? If I could afford it, I'd do it in a NY nano-second. But not to make a statement, not to give me some superficial sense that I had "arrived" but because I admire quality craftsmanship and customer service after the sale.