Hayden Harnett vs. Rebecca Minkoff

[jc0812]

What a great thread! It was amazing reading toni's posts...it really have me the insight I've been looking for about her brand.

HH and RM are my two favorite bag brands right now and I love them both for entirely different reasons.

I love the creativity and uniqueness of HH, not to mention the functionality of their products. I have never used bags ang accessories that are so well-deisgned from a functionality perspective. With most other brands, I often think, "gee, I wish there was a pocket here for this," but with HH, that never comes to mind...everything is exactly where it should be. I also appreciate that toni has a particular aesthetic and is truly creative. I feel like I'm carrying a work of art when I carry an HH bag.

On the other hand, I fell hard for RM because of her gorgeous, thick, smooshy leathers. The color/leather combos she comes up with are just beautiful. Because of this, I don't mind owning multiples of the same style of her bags. I don't really do this with any other brand.

I'm glad we have TPF to hear each other out and to post our own opinions. This is truly a great community! (ok, group hug now )

[gingeybear]

IMHO..despite some of our disagreements..on the whole, I adore my fellow HHHotties..because this is one of the most vocal, intelligent, opinionated, well rounded, far flung, divergent, heterogenious...and yet least bullying bunch of chicas on TPF..

Kudos syb for starting this..and for everyone who posted here too..keep it coming.

[dcblam]

great thread syb, thought provoking in many ways - AND

our dear toni h posted such an honest and illuminating thread on our beloved brand......

I really don't KNOW how it happened, this innate fondness that I have for THIS brand, but upon reading toni's comments - this is what rang SO true for me:

creating living art is what thrills me about fashion. i don't want hayden-harnett to be like every other company...there's no purpose to my art in that. we are different. our customer likes to be different. she gets the art. she gets the story. she understands the craft within our logic and desire to be an antidote to celebrity-obsessed, "me too" fashion and tattle mag style.

She is describing me....or I should say....what I strive to be.

There isn't a day that I don't have something Hayden Harnett with me...it's like I carry a piece of "creativity" with me every day and it makes me happy .... I feel unique, I feel different .... and we're not talking about my "third eye" ... LOL!!!

Most of you know that my collection is heavy on the accessories and clothing, with only a bit of bags.......and I'm TOTALLY a fan, "warts and all" (to quote Eye Heart Bags) - and believe me - I have LIVED through their growing pains! They are like "fambly"..... one can sustain great tolerance for loved ones. I like the fact that I truly do understand what motivates them and their business and it makes me happy that I can and want to support them.

hey jc -
what in the heck is a LG quilted patent MAC??

[mockinglee]

I'm not jc, but -

*Excuse me, stewardess, but I speak RM*

LG quilted patent MAC = Light Grey quilted patent Morning After clutch

[Sybaryte]

Originally Posted by mockinglee

*Excuse me, stewardess, but I speak RM*

[gingeybear]

Originally Posted by Sybaryte

Originally Posted by mockinglee

I'm not jc, but - *Excuse me, stewardess, but I speak RM* LG quilted patent MAC = Light Grey quilted patent Morning After clutch

I'm just bystander but what she sez... What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies. I dug her rap!

[jc0812]

LOL, you guys. Thanks, mockinglee. :)

[dcblam]

Originally Posted by mockinglee

I'm not jc, but - *Excuse me, stewardess, but I speak RM* LG quilted patent MAC = Light Grey quilted patent Morning After clutch

ah babe.......
tanks ... got it!

[minimamak]

...Okay, and Botkier and Kooba. I go back and forth. I own some, I sell some, I buy some more. I'm missing a few Paul Marrots like the Dominique but stalk for them on eBay.

Right now I'm trying to decide on the HH Trophy in Blueberry, the Havana in Blueberry and the RM Nikki in Lapis. I have to say the Blueberry is winning me over but the Trophy, I think is just too darn big for me. I wish it was 30% smaller. Like the RM Nikki and Mini Nikki, maybe a Mini Trophy? I'm 5'3" and the Trophy isn't just big it's semi-structured and it just dwarfs me.

HH Gaza Satchel Bark
HH Gaza Hobo Taupe
RM Mini Nikki Dark Brown
Botkier James Hobo Chestnut
Botkier Kai Convertible Oyster
Kooba Gracie Black
Kooba Marcelle Natural

[tonij2000]

I've sold most of my HH bags. All I have left are my saddle Havana, ruby Staci and silver anaconda Bowery. My daughter has the eel skin clutch too but I have lots of accessories like wallets, purse charms, matching Ibiza and Lisbon, shoes...

The RM MAB and MAC are totally working for me right now (along with all of the other satchels in my closet) but by far HH has the most creativity and the best workmanship. Feet and handles fall off RM like leaves from a tree in autumn. There are still reports of this happening.

[minimamak]

Toni...I love your wallets and coin purses, so awesome. I haven't had any trouble w. my RM hardware, but I really don't like the "new" dinky looking clasps on the Nikkis. They look like dog leash clasps, I was bummed when they stopped using the RM signature hardware clasps.

[tonij2000]

^ Thanks! So far, I haven't had any issues with the three RM's I recently bought. I have a few bags that I've had forever and haven't carried yet but with the RM's and the issues like feet falling off... I had to start carrying those babies as soon as they arrived so that if something fell off, I could still return them.

From what I've read about the RM issues, it seems like the problem bags are from certain batches which is understandable but what I can't comprehend is why they continue to sell those bags with issues...

[minimamak]

I agree with Sybaryte, bring back the Tharpe!

[dcblam]

Yes, I had "heard" that RM has customer service issues...honestly, I don't know of any small time etailer that doesn't have SOME issues.

So, my first RM....and I will gain the experience of their CS re: my problem MAC strap. So, the UPS label finally arrived (they typed in an incorrect email address for me) via email and off went my MAC went. Voila - in two days time, there is a package outside my door from RM. I notice it's the same box I used to send my strap, including the actual purse (just in case, U never know). I am puzzled - did I do something wrong? OR....wow, these guys are REALLY fast?!!
Upon opening the box....there IS a MAC inside a dust cover.......and it's MY MAC (same scratches).
Yes, they did provide the missing dust cover (a good thang), but no note, nothing. I laughed. I had sent them a detailed note on the "issues" with the MAC, including a question about the scratched condition asking them if this was "to be expected"......and this was their reply.

So - I'll see how long it takes to get a fixed strap back....and I'm HOPING that they will remove the too big "o" ring on the chain so I can shorten the strap. But ah, I have this feeling in my gut that all will not go smoothly CUZ they sent back my MAC and will not have it to "test out" the strap. And of course, the main issue: the jutting pin on the kite hook.

It appears that their hardware is NOT standardized....I could be wrong, but I get this impression.

[kdo]

blammy - So did they keep your strap to fix? I'd suggest you follow up with the person you're working with via email to double check and to confirm that they understand what still needs to be addressed. I wouldn't leave it up to chance...