2017 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

Status
Not open for further replies.
#4,921
HopelessBagGirl said:
So you're saying that all of those 3 design houses only employs people who have spent decades making bags by hand, and none of those bags are made by machines in a factory? The materials might be amazing but you know, in the end a cow and a sheep of whatever age is just a mammal hide and not a totally different thing. I think an individual in Europe might be able to find a good hide, even from as nice a leather source as the big brands. And I think marketing is the biggest expense these brands spend on.
That's why my crocodile bag is fun, it really is a totally different thing!
Click to expand...
HBG,

I didn't specify a timeframe for their employees nor did I reference the techniques employeed by the top 3 luxury handbag makers in the world. I simply stated my opinion that from a quality perspective any bag you get from etsy will not be on the same level as far as materials and craftsmanship as say Hermes. I totally believe there is difference in mammal hides and all things are not equal. Again it all comes down to each individuals perception of what quality is
 
  • Like
Reactions: Evia
#4,922
Absolutely! I already said that I've never owned an etsy bag that is on par with my bags from the luxury designers you mentioned plus others. I just believe it is possible. And I believe it is possible for an independent artisan to locate great hides that rival the hides that the big companies source because I just can't imagine what steps in the process of grazing mammal to hide could possibly be so elite and secretive that even small producers who are passionate about producing top quality full grain leather hides could not be cognizant of and produce in the same way. There just can't be anything so 'secret sauce' to the production of a hide, no leather treatment along the production process that is so amazing that the leather makes a far superior product to leather producers that are not commissioned by big companies. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe there's an oil I don't know about that is applied to certain hides that turns them into magic leather. But I own bags across the entire spectrum and I am doubtful.
 
#4,923
bakeacookie said:
I just felt like my posts are not well received here anymore, and that discussing my dilemma was not welcome.
I guess because I am thinking of less popular bags, it's not exciting.
Click to expand...
Your post in fact inspired a lot of discussions which were very interesting. And, I think I've mentioned it time and again in the other years thread that I like this group because we are able to mix contemporary and premiere with no judgment whatsover.

bakeacookie said:
My lack of involvement and connection to tpf seems to help my wallet at least.
Click to expand...
Deep in my heart I know that if I stop my tpf time, I will somehow have less interest in bag too. But I don't want to stop, especially on this thread, because it's not only about bags here, but some form of friendship albeit the anonymity.

HopelessBagGirl said:
But Spark, maybe you meant that the bag would be designed and custom made from scratch with a leather craftsman with the highest quality methods of construction and materials AND then the bag would be a known 'brand' with marketing machine behind it that will give you cache to be seen carrying it? Then I don't know of any option. But there are people who have a passion for this and have set up a shop on etsy to pursue that passion part time without quitting their day jobs and because they are not a brand, they do not command prices worth the time they spend but they do it because they love the process. Just because they are small time doesn't mean the quality is not up there with the most expensive brands. Cathy from iadoremybag on etsy is really passionate about learning the methods that the most exclusive labels use to make luxury handbags and has spent six years studying how to do so and now has expanded beyond making bags for herself and loved ones since she enjoys the process so much as her passion, she puts up her creations on etsy, but is available for a totally custom bag basically at cost of materials (at their cost in Europe, she lives in an expensive part of the world). She has never been able to quit her day job and may never be able to, because a marketing machine is necessary to command prices that would allow her to do so, and maybe she doesn't want to do it full time. Maybe it is more fun as a hobby. But anyways, it is neat to design a bag and not worry about the production process exploiting anyone because it's just her and everything is happening within the first world.
Click to expand...
I think building a bag from scratch will really be expensive because the bag maker will have to perfect the pattern, to use only once. I think there's expense there. Plus the actual work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eggtartapproved, dcooney4, vink and 1 other person
#4,924
HopelessBagGirl said:
And I don't romanticize handmade vs factory produced. I would prefer a factory assembled car to one made by hand, for example.
But we are talking handbags, not a computer or the cure for cancer. or being the next Mozart composer. It doesn't take a PhD, or decades of full time bag making to learn the techniques to make a top of the line bag. I think it's like any handicraft, several years of practice will do it.
If you think I'm being catty about marketing :
http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/12/25/460870534/episode-672-bagging-a-birkin
Click to expand...

missie1 said:
HBG,

I know lots of people love etsy for unique one of a kind items. I also believe that everyone's definition of what's quality greatly differs. I simply don't believe that a bespoke bag made by individual for few hundred dollars is the same quality and craftsmanship as say Hermes, LV or Chanel. These luxury brands are able to source the finest raw materials and the craft people are masters at this. Many spend their entire lives perfecting their craft not merely working on weekends.
Click to expand...
HBG,

I understand marketing techniques very well. Each individual determines what's important to them. As this is a HANDBAG forum I think most tend to take craftsmanship very seriously, especially when your paying thousands of dollars for single item. If I was on IT thread I'm sure the debate on best programming software would be applicable. Your quality standards greatly differ from mine and that's understandable. Hearing different perspectives is always interesting and is what I love about TPF.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sparkletastic
#4,925
HopelessBagGirl said:
So you're saying that all of those 3 design houses only employs people who have spent decades making bags by hand, and none of those bags are made by machines in a factory? The materials might be amazing but you know, in the end a cow and a sheep of whatever age is just a mammal hide and not a totally different thing. I think an individual in Europe might be able to find a good hide, even from as nice a leather source as the big brands. And I think marketing is the biggest expense these brands spend on.
That's why my crocodile bag is fun, it really is a totally different thing!
Click to expand...
In the words of Jed Clampett "Whoo, doggie!"

<wipes brow>

This is really going to be my last comment on this. But I'll try to clarify again.

I get that you love the independent bag manufactures. That's awesome! I love independent restauranteurs and movies. We all love the things we love - be it specific styles, manufacturers, colors, approaches etc. But, the facts of how differently these bags are produced aren't really up for debate. You may want to search TPF, TPB & Google. They have many articles on the processes that these houses use for bag creation. A while back, I even saw a video of the process at Chanel. It's fascinating.

And, of course machinery is used. They aren't using a hooked needle and catgut thread or tanning hides with old tea bags and blueberries. Lol! There are very exacting standards that craftspeople utilize for the various bags' production. I don't want a world class heart surgeon using a bone knife. I want her using the latest technology. But it's her skill in wielding it (and the quality of adjunct treatments and support like medications, heart pumps, etc.) that makes the difference.

Also, the materials the top houses use are to a large extent different from what the individual part time bag maker can source. Every cow or lamb leather isn't the same. How the leather is treated isn't the same. Hardware utilized isn't the same. And, this is before we get to unique crystals / beading / sequins, exotic skins, precious metals used etc. Can an individual get great items. I'm sure with much effort (and a higher markup they can.) And I'm hoping someone out there has. But by and large the market isn't demanding this level of product from the individual bag maker so they aren't sourcing it.

So the single element of quality isn't an issue of what is fun, attractive, well loved, pricey, unique, etc. There are recognized quality standards in every category from aeronautical parts to toothpaste to brick laying to...handbags.

And it doesn't matter if someone can't perceive it. I am not a wine connoisseur. So my undeveloped palate's inability to discern the differences between a carefully crafted 100 yo wine from 1 month old bootleg swill is irrelevant to the standards for that category. And what I like individually is solely relevant to me - not to the broader category.

Last note regarding marketing. Marketing is a critical function for a thriving business. I can't buy a product if it doesn't exist, I haven't heard of it, can't find it, don't relate to it, don't believe its claims or don't need it. Good marketing ensures all those things come together so revenue is generated. Small businesses usually fail because of poor funding and poor marketing. So I applaud companies (big and small) with smart marketing and I don't have patience for any business that doesn't understand how to go to market.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ksuromax, barbee and missie1
#4,926
HopelessBagGirl said:
So you're saying that all of those 3 design houses only employs people who have spent decades making bags by hand, and none of those bags are made by machines in a factory? The materials might be amazing but you know, in the end a cow and a sheep of whatever age is just a mammal hide and not a totally different thing. I think an individual in Europe might be able to find a good hide, even from as nice a leather source as the big brands. And I think marketing is the biggest expense these brands spend on.
That's why my crocodile bag is fun, it really is a totally different thing!
Click to expand...

Your discussion made me remember a picture I took of one of my sisters' bags. It is a Prada that we bought during our bonding trip in Hongkong. She was wearing it this weekend when I visited them in the province. The leather to me is just similar to Massaccesi's pebbled leather! But the price difference, wow! And the glazing on the handle of this Prada peeled early on.
IMG_1489048748.571177.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: vink
#4,927
I take the craftsmanship very seriously as well and in fact even tried my hand at making bags for more than a year, in my home sewing room because I loved the idea of being able to design my own style and see it come to life. After making more than a hundred bags over a year and a half or so I decided I was not interested in putting in the time and resource investment in learning to make a really good quality bag. I was only interested in the design side and throwing together mock ups of the design in my head, with very unskilled sewing techniques. I mean the bags are usable but very homemade if you peer closely at the seams. My point is that it made me a lot more appreciative of the craftsmanship it takes to make a really top of the line luxury bag, or even a good one. I know some of what to look for, and after talking with Cathy on etsy about the specific techniques involved with the leather that she is using that is the same process that the top luxury design houses use, I'm learning so much more about working with leather. And I'm sure there's tons I don't know. I'm sure it takes years and years to be able to make truly elite bag. I just don't feel convinced that it takes a lifetime (decades) or if only a few high end brands have access to special leather and hardware that are impossible to rival if you are not them. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe my standards are just so greatly different to your quality standards that I am just not able to discuss this at your level. But tell me what to look for in my premier bags and I'll go immediately with a magnifying glass to find the aspect of the bag to appreciate better ; I'm open to learning. Then I'll be better able to compare my bags coming from Belgium to them and see where this woman (who has only spent 6 years as her hobby passion,in addition to her day job, studying luxury bag making) has missed the mark.

I do want to say that the fashion industry at every level has some ethical issues and that's why I do also feel kind of relieved (in terms of thinking of people/children being exploited) to give my money to a one man shop rather than a huge corporation that I will never fully believe is pure as snow when it comes to their practices on the themes of human and animal rights. They are huge profit machines so it's at least one perk to working with an individual or small team in a first world country creating items on a small scale, you don't have to worry too much about any ethical issues. Just one thing I think about.
 
#4,928
Spark, yes I agree that materials differ, and where I object is to the idea that an individual artisan cannot find the same level materials beit hide, hardware, or machinery and equipment used to construct the bag. I may be wrong just have not been convinced that there is such piece of equipment or quality of leather that only the certain brands have access to using.
You are right that Cathy is only pricing her bags at cost of materials (several hundred per bag), nothing for the time. She just wants to perfect her craft beyond making for her own collection and those of her friends and family , so she decided to continue to study the highest level of luxury bag making while putting the bags out into the universe at cost on etsy. She has a day job so that's why she can do a bag every two weeks in this way.
 
#4,930
tenKrat said:
My red bags

Louis Vuitton
L to R: Retiro, Varenne, Cannes, Dora BB
View attachment 3626452

Mulberry large Mabel
View attachment 3626462
Click to expand...
I just adore your Dora tenKrat :biggrin: what a gorgeous bag :heart: and I always regretted not buying an orange large Mabel when it came up in the Mulberry sale years ago, this has just reminded me and I'm regretting all over again :girlsigh:
In a desperate attempt to keep pace with this thread :whut: here is my one and only red bag!
(Btw I'm another who loves brown bags)

image.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: eggtartapproved, More bags, Annabel Lee and 7 others
#4,933
Pessie said:
:-) thanks, we were having a chat in another thread about the colour of school uniforms - and this was mine, it was many many years before I could face wearing anything in burgundy! It makes a good alternative to brown I think.
Click to expand...

It's a delicious alternative to brown and looks amazing with black or beige or white or navy or.....whatever! However, I have a TON of this beautiful color in my wardrobe that I get to enjoy in tops and dresses, as well as accessories, whereas brown shades look awful on me, so I go for brown leathers a lot I guess, to have at least one section of my closet that I get to indulge in earthy tones. But still, leather in this color is to die for and I want at least ONE.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Evia
#4,934
Pessie said:
I just adore your Dora tenKrat :biggrin: what a gorgeous bag :heart: and I always regretted not buying an orange large Mabel when it came up in the Mulberry sale years ago, this has just reminded me and I'm regretting all over again :girlsigh:
In a desperate attempt to keep pace with this thread :whut: here is my one and only red bag!
(Btw I'm another who loves brown bags)

View attachment 3627893
Click to expand...
i wouldn't be able to hold myself back from biting off a piece of this delicious chewy grape-y beauty.... :nuts::nuts::nuts:
 
  • Like
Reactions: dcooney4 and Evia
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top