Hmm. It looks like Hermes borrowed some of that "unique closure and shape" from someone else...
Anyone bought from Pierotucci?
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Hmm. It looks like Hermes borrowed some of that "unique closure and shape" from someone else...
If you read that closely, you will note that it is the "mark" that is protected. A bag is not a mark. A mark is like a brand name...either a trade name or a service name, and sometimes a logo. This does not qualify, as they do not use the name anywhere on their bags.
Hermes' chief concerns are with their biggest competitors, namely: Chanel, LVMH, Dior and Gucci.
Hermes is not interested in the Pierotucci boutique in Italy, who have been quietly making quality handbags for almost four decades. Seriously.
Let's be honest folks, Hermes is raking in over one billion dollars a year. The Hermes-Dumas family focus on the sales of their own H bags and all their branded items as well as those of their subsidiary, JPG Group. They count on their customer base to provide repeat business to supply them their revenue. They don't care about the people who buy inspired versions, because these people do not make up their customer base.
Hermes is not interested in the Pierotucci boutique in Italy, who have been quietly making quality handbags for almost four decades. Seriously.
Let's be honest folks, Hermes is raking in over one billion dollars a year. The Hermes-Dumas family focus on the sales of their own H bags and all their branded items as well as those of their subsidiary, JPG Group. They count on their customer base to provide repeat business to supply them their revenue. They don't care about the people who buy inspired versions, because these people do not make up their customer base.
The article (from Town & Country) states that the steamer bag is 101 years old at the time of the publication of that article. It could not possibly have been designed in 1930, as the article itself is at least five years old and that would put us in 2036. If the HAC came before the steamer and there is such an issue about the "unique closure" and whatnot, I don't understand why LV has been selling this bag for 101 years without Hermes stomping them in court.
The only "firm" information I can find about dates of production is a blurb on the Kelly bag in Carried Away (a book on the history of bags that is co-published by Hermes) that says: "Hermes Handbag (the "Kelly bag") mat black crocodile, faster borrowed from the Hermes "haut a courroies" travel bag, created circa 1930[.] This bag was adopted by the American actress Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, in 1956. It became famous and was officially named the "Kelly bag" in 1959." (p. 47)
I do believe you are on point about the original question by the poster.
What I don't believe is that there would be any confusion. If you buy an Hermes bag, you pay a premium price. You sit on a wait list for two years unless you know someone or you're a celebrity. You buy it at an Hermes boutique. You look for markings indicating the craftsman and the production year. It's not like you walk into Macy's and see a Birkin on one table and a Pierotucci bag on the next and cannot tell one from the other. If Hermes has staked their reputation on such exquisite craftsmanship and divine leathers that people are willing to wait two years for the privilege of paying $8000 for a bag, they shouldn't be bothered by a little company who sells leather bags for a fraction of that price if they aren't offended by the fact that LV has substantially similar designs, or that Ralph Lauren has inspired bags, or that Mulberry borrowed a bit of the Birkin shape, or that Chloe borrowed the concept of the strap closure and lock. No one thinks that Pierotucci is selling actual Hermes products.
And the LV steamer bag is one of the bags featured in the book, as well. In fact, they have a photo of one of the original steamer bags that belonged to Gaston-Louis Vuitton (p. 103). On the opposite page, they feature another similar travel bag circa late 18th century. Clearly "inspiration" goes back a long way.
That's incorrect. Additionally, the steamer and H can be clearly distinguished unlike the H and P... hence the question about degrees of inspiration. A fake is a fake.
Anyhow, this is so far off topic. I have made my point and I will leave it at that. Back to H now.
Anyhow, this is so far off topic. I have made my point and I will leave it at that. Back to H now.
H SCARF- hands down.
At least the H scarf can be resold for very near it's full value, if not more. I look at long term value of a bag/scarf/anything, as much as I look at immediate enjoyment of it.
Not a scarf for me - because I only use scarves very rarely. If someone gives a gift, I would like something that I would use and think of the person and I use bags every day - much more often than I wear a scarf.
If I buy something for myself I'll probably think of the resale value, but don't like to think of the resale value of a gift...because it is a gift and has sentimental value to me for that reason.
My dh approached me this year whether I wanted an inspired bag or H scarf for my anniversary gift. He wanted to be sure I got what I wanted, within our budget. I love bags too much and ultimately chose the inspired bag. I knew that using the bag whenever we went out would give me greater pleasure at this time.
I am telling you if Hermes had a problem with P they would have gone after them already.
I come from a legal background and my hubby is a lawyer...so I know of what I speak.