IGNES Clubhouse

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by duranie70

Soo true- my 1st bag- the Virginia- was like $240 and I loved it (still do)... now that same bag would be... $500!!! For suede lining and shoulder drop modification. It was so exciting to buy something cool you could design and someone like me could afford. Now all I can do is wait for 1 bag on my birthday month. It saddens me.

Yes exactly! And Matt I agree with you too.

It's not that I even mind about the resale value, I don't see myself ever trying to unload my MS on Ebay because I love it so very much. However, the price increase and increase for modifications has really affected my ability and desire to purchase another. Take the MS for instance, when I saw a pic of this bag with the Cecila straps I thought it looked awesome but then I saw that it would be an additional $50 for this modification, too rich for my blood. At the very least I am likely to need a longer drop size and preferably a zipper closure modification, add that to the increase in price and we're talking more than I can or even should spend on a bag.

The hardest part of all this is that I love Ignes as a company so very much, their customer service is top notch and Ignacio was certainly a pleasure to deal with. I wish they were still in my price point range but right now that's just not the case. I do love and cherish my MS though so at least I have that. I also enjoy seeing everyone else's new bags coming in and look forward to those reveals. Those of you that can still buy, please keep them coming!

Linda

[No Cute]

Originally Posted by yyz

R And I do want Ignes to do well! And I think your right, they need to get one of those Hayden P. like Dooney did and hang some purses on her and such! Maybe Ignes could rent her from Dooney!

We know THAT! But ya, some cute Hollywood type would do wonders, I think! for name recognition!

[No Cute]

Does anyone know where the US shipper is located? I'm hoping next door to me...lol.

[yyz]

Originally Posted by No Cute

Does anyone know where the US shipper is located? I'm hoping next door to me...lol.

LOL!

The funny thing is but it makes a lot of sense, a lot big companies like Amazon and others have their main warehouses here in Kansas.
this so the shipping is equally as fast to every part of the country;

[No Cute]

Linda and Duranie, I'm in the same situation with one bag a year, increased to two or three (if a clutch without modifications is included, which it will be since I love Tango and Baby Millie and Veronica)...one from saving, one clutch, and one from a required annual dispersement from my Mom's beneficiary IRA (that's how I'll get a Virginia and eventually, in 2010 or late 2009, a Cecilia). I can pop for one/year, unless 2009 is the suckage it's warming up to...then it will be my January dispersement bag (Virginia and Baby Millie, got a referral) and buying fil's medications instead of handbags and professional hair colorings...let the gray grow back!

I feel for you! And, truthfully, set up an account at Bag, Borrow, and Steal to rent a new bag for one week each month (about $20) because I can't wean so easily off my fall bag binge. But, you know, I think we're pretty normal out there in the world, and even tPF: One expensive (to us) bag a year is in the budget. If money weren't an issue for me, I could easily list out 15 Ignes that I want...yikes. But think about it. One custom bag/year, and we've got 10 in a decade. That's a pretty nice collection...and the decade will come and go whether we are ready for it or not.

So when will my beautiful bags be here! Momma hears them calling! I am so happy I squeezed out a Tango Max from my budget! I LOVE that bag so much in the pictures.

[lionlaw]

Originally Posted by No Cute

LL, for $2000, I know you've said (and I've seen) the difference in leather quality from designer bags in the 100s. Where are most of your Prada (hoping to hit purse saturation and start a big ol savings account for one one day) and Choo bags made? Are pay rates for artisans higher since they are (I think) not made in China a lower payroll prices. Spendier materials and employees would contribute to costs...but I am curious how much of the price you think is due to name recognition and simply being able to demand more for being "hot"?

I think most high-end designer bags, you pay for the name. They are better quality, but we know the designers aren't selling these things at costs. Bottega Veneta, Jimmy Choo, Prada, Valentino are moda in Italy with better quality nappas and leathers in my opinion. The best of this lot in quality imo is bottega. The worst is Prada (just because the bags sometimes show wear easy like the cervo antik deerskin bags).

[No Cute]

Bottega is best, eh? Cool to know. Prada is worst...yikes...I like the ruching and gathers on so many of their bags. Is MiuMiu any better?

[lionlaw]

Originally Posted by No Cute

Bottega is best, eh? Cool to know. Prada is worst...yikes...I like the ruching and gathers on so many of their bags. Is MiuMiu any better?

Don't get me wrong, of the high-end bags I named, Prada gives you less for the money, but the bags, especially the gaufres or cervo antiks or glaces are gorgeous. Nobody does cool leather coloring and treatments like Prada.

Prada gets discounted in my list because the lining is nylon and not suede, the leather treatments (such as the fairy disasters, the cervo antik wear) sometimes don't hold up, etc. But I love my gaufre bags and the leather is so soft. Miu miu is the trendy younger sister to Prada and I don't think the level of quality is the same. The leathers on my pradas are nicer than on my miu miu bow.

[No Cute]

Oh, I didn't think you were down on Prada. Sorry if it sounded like that. Just struck me as funny that it was the one more likely to have wear issues and it is the one I like best, me, the girl who is hard on bags....lol.

[Suzzeee]

I'm a big fan of Balenciaga leathers, but for a laptop bag I wanted something less expensive but still nice and actually functional and Ignes looks like the perfect solution and I'll know soon - Ignacio says my bag is almost completed -not bad as it's only been 3 weeks since I ordered it, but I only ordered one modification which makes it easier. I do hope that Ignes can keep up the custom concept but it's hard to do, as he found, with so many modifications. I do understand why he had to limit the modifications and frankly, while I am jealous of some of the bags you guys got, I think it's best for overall quality - it's nice to have input to a certain degree, but in my case, I'm not a handbag designer so I rely on the actual designer to make a bag that I'll adore and that actually works - sometimes the best intentions can lead to poorly designed bags.

Regarding other bags, I do think that the quality of Italian made bags is higher than almost anyone's bags - the leathers are the best and the craftsmanship is world class. Having said that, I agree with LL - it depends on the brand. For overall, I agree Bottega has to be at/near the top but I also love Balenciaga leathers - their motorcycle bags are simple construction, but the leather and color is truly the star! I'm trying to not buy mass-produced bags all that much and go for more unique and higher quality bags by purchasing from companies like BE and Ignes - I hate the thought of the art of handmaking a bag becoming extinct so I want to do my part and I also like carrying something that is more unique and rare. As far as price point threshold goes, my most expensive bag to date is my Balenciaga Pom Pom - a little under $2k - I want a Chanel flap, but can't bring myself to spend that much for a bag and their prices just keep going up and up! Anything over $500, I need to stop and think about and ask myself if I really want it these days!

[bags4fun]

Originally Posted by duranie70

Soo true- my 1st bag- the Virginia- was like $240 and I loved it (still do)... now that same bag would be... $500!!! For suede lining and shoulder drop modification. It was so exciting to buy something cool you could design and someone like me could afford. Now all I can do is wait for 1 bag on my birthday month. It saddens me.

Holy cow! How did you get a Virginia for $240? Was that the newbie price?

[duranie70]

Yes, when I first stumbled on the 1st Ignes blog... I fell in love with Virginia and basically ordered it that month.

[duranie70]

Where is my old buddy DSRK???

[No Cute]

I was wondering that, too, Duranie. I PMed her when I got the pics of my bags from Ignacio and haven't heard back. Hope she's okay.

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by duranie70

Where is my old buddy DSRK???

I have wondered that too, she is highly missed.

Linda