Yikes, the uniform. Everyone I know that are into luxury brands have pretty much the same thing, a Rolex, VCA, Cartier love bracelet and a Chanel flap. Social media and luxury brands have a way of telling you that it's a must that you have this, or you must have a classic flap in your collection if you love Chanel. I just want to puke whenever I hear those words.
Chanel losing brand value in Korea
- Thread starter vilette21c
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Interesting thread, but I have so many questions. Are Chanel purses really that ubiquitous in Korea? And if you don't wear your CF or luxury bag to the market, where would you wear it? Especially now in a pandemic. Once I leave the house for errands, I'm not returning home to change out my purse.
Also, I have never understood the "luxury uniform" which is what I've always called it too! Yes, Cartier and VCA have some lovely pieces but why would you want your jewelry to be exactly like everyone else?
Also, I have never understood the "luxury uniform" which is what I've always called it too! Yes, Cartier and VCA have some lovely pieces but why would you want your jewelry to be exactly like everyone else?
I'm curious about that too... Maybe someone Korean (living in Korea) can weigh in. In the US, even in a metropolitan city, I don't see classic flaps left and right. Even when I go out to a nice fancy restaurant, at least half the purses are something I've never seen/unknown brand name. I don't see a million black classic flaps running around. Honestly, I think I've seen more Birkins when I go luxury shopping than classic flaps.
Do Koreans really feel that the upper class/rich have dropped their perception of Chanel's brand value? I also ask because I follow quite a few Korean instagrammers (not the ones with tons of followers who are gifted and sponsored) and even the uber rich Koreans seem to still wear and buy tons of Chanel in 2022 (along with Hermes). It almost seems like the uber rich Koreans ONLY buy Chanel or Hermes, whereas in the US, it's alot more varied with people giving love to other brands like Dior, LV, Prada, etc.
If they don't limit their production, they will lower their brand even more. Scarcity is a big thing in the luxury industry. Maybe for one, just have 4 seasons and limit the number of seasonal bags? Some of these seasonal bags are so ugly.
Go back to 24K gold plating? With that price, why not? Improve customer service? I don't know why Chanel prides in having the worst customer service among luxury brands. They seem to not address it all.
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I might be able to give some insight. Just because we don't see it everywhere doesn't mean it's not there, these bags might be sitting in their closets.
If have like 5 friends and I know all of them have purchased a black classic flap, I would probably avoid using it more so we won't all be caught using the same bag. I had instances like this before, even with family members, that I have completely avoided wearing the same jacket, shoes. LOL, I know it's petty.
In a society like Korea where materialism is strong, I wouldn't be caught dead carrying the same flap when you have a 25 year old with the same bag. I would probably look for a more expensive bag.There was an article awhile back that Chanel started targeting young millennials so I'm sure this turned off a lot of wealthy clients. My impression of Chanel has always been for a woman who is in their 30s. There's also a saying in Korea, LV in your 20s, Chanel in your 30s and Hermes when you turn 40.
Based on my own small sample size (My SO and her friend group grew up in Gangnam) and none of them would be caught dead with Chanel.
I think the main issue is that when you grow up in an old money family, an item that anyone can purchase at a store regardless of price point becomes less interesting or exciting.
This. I have a British friend who wouldn't be caught dead wearing a black classic flap and Louboutin heels. She said it's what prostitutes wear in London, I have no idea though because I've never lived there.
Also, interestingly enough, all my Korean friends here and in Korea, have at least one black classic flap so there you go.
Since we are talking about Koreans, I am curious to why there is a lot of Vietnamese in the Chanel groups on FB more than any ethnicity. Can someone shed some light on this? I'm curious.
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Very interesting. What brands do the "Jjinbu" buy? I feel like Hermes Birkins have become just as ubiquitous as Chanel flaps.
Korean here. Lived and travel constantly to those big Asian cities. I saw more Chanel in the streets of Hong Kong than Korea. In Seoul, I only saw 1 with a square mini.
Honestly, I don't know. One of my mom's best friend is a jjinbu, whose annual tax for one of many properties she owns cost more than my condo in the SF Bay Area (wtf). But I never paid attention to what she carries when I was in Korea. My mom did mention she has luxury purses she carries normally, and super luxury purses that she carries when she meets with other jjinbu circles, so I doubt I'd even see what she carries to that circle lol.
Most people in usa don’t realize that housing there is damn cheap compared to what we pay in Asia. Eg Singapore, Seoul etc.
I guess what I'm not understading is if the Jjinbu's brand perception of Chanel went down, then I guess all they buy is Hermes and bespoke custom bags? Outside of Hermes, there aren't any other brands as a whole that has more scarcity/exclusivity or higher prices than Chanel. I guess I see some Hermes buyers mixing in some Delvaux every now and then (at least in Japan).
Based on what I can tell from social media, I think Chanel is still chugging strong behind Hermes. The people I follow on IG that seem fairly rich (multiple luxury cars, extravagant vacations, living in Cheongdam-dong/Gangnam) seem to gravitate towards Hermes and Chanel, solely. I rarely see these types buying anything other than these two brands.
The Japanese rich seem to value more individuality. As much as they show off and buy their Hermes and Chanel, I still see them sporting tons of Loewe, Dior, Celine, Delvaux, and Valextra (in addition to other brands).
Based on what I can tell from social media, I think Chanel is still chugging strong behind Hermes. The people I follow on IG that seem fairly rich (multiple luxury cars, extravagant vacations, living in Cheongdam-dong/Gangnam) seem to gravitate towards Hermes and Chanel, solely. I rarely see these types buying anything other than these two brands.
The Japanese rich seem to value more individuality. As much as they show off and buy their Hermes and Chanel, I still see them sporting tons of Loewe, Dior, Celine, Delvaux, and Valextra (in addition to other brands).
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Just my personal experience that as my obsession with Chanel went down, I started buying other luxury brands. It seems like other brands like Dior's Lady Dior and Caro bags, and the Fendi exotic peekaboos and Fendi first clutches are more scarce and aesthetically pleasing than Chanel's seasonal bags. As soon as Chanel's seasonal bags are released, you will find 5 bags sold to FP. I remember the caramel 19, FP had so many of those at one point as well as the iridescent bags. I hardly see a Fendi first clutch being sold in there or an exotic peekaboo. So my theory is these ultra wealthy are bored and turned off with Chanel because you can easily buy a classic flap online whenever you want to, it's not really that scarce anymore. A friend of mine just told me that her store in Cali had a lot of black classic flaps available.