Chanel’s Rise & STALL: Defects, Difficulties & Deflection (formerly the 19 tote saga thread)

[Model T]

Hopefully not restating an opinion which as already been shared..but I stopped by a local boutique today and in the process of looking at a CF the SA tells me that around “90% of Chanel’s classic flaps are a little bit crooked, just depends how much”. Honesty is the best policy and I definitely appreciated that, but just more evidence Chanel is aware of the issues but not interested in fixing the problem. So just have fun with it because they are

 

[mzbaglady1]

90% is a very high number to have crooked flaps on a 5000.00 bag. I appreciate a Sa honesty and do not play mind games by trying to disregard a blatant visual defect with the product.

 

[gail13]

I would really love to play a game where three bags of competing designers are laid side by side with the emblems and any branding detail removed to see what would we would all pick in terms of quality. And then again lay those 3 bags side by side with the branding in place to see what happens.

When Karl was designing, I loved his work and creativity. Thats also what made the difference to me. With Virginie, Im not seeing anywhere near the creativity.

@bagsaremyjam, playing devils advocate here, what are the main differences you see? Im talking about other designers including TB who are priced in the 1k range. The ones who disclose materials used etc. Because some of these look pretty nice to me, but you can order on a website and obviously not as exclusive.

 

[ItsPurseonal]

I would really love to play a game where three bags of competing designers are laid side by side with the emblems and any branding detail removed to see what would we would all pick in terms of quality.

This reminds me of a game my family plays during the holidays with wine where the bottles are wrapped so we cannot see the labels

 

[EpiFanatic]

My vintage Gucci and Dior bags (from 1970s) have held up amazingly well, but I also did not use them much. My mom’s canvas LV bags and my Coach bag from the 1980s are much more beat up cause they were used and never babied.But I would venture to say that construction has changed quite a bit since then. My worst experience is a Goyard with coating on the straps that started ripping after one use. Yes. One. And all I put in it was a sweater, wallet and keys. Happened to my green one and my moms red one.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

I would really love to play a game where three bags of competing designers are laid side by side with the emblems and any branding detail removed to see what would we would all pick in terms of quality. And then again lay those 3 bags side by side with the branding in place to see what happens.

When Karl was designing, I loved his work and creativity. Thats also what made the difference to me. With Virginie, Im not seeing anywhere near the creativity.

@bagsaremyjam, playing devils advocate here, what are the main differences you see? Im talking about other designers including TB who are priced in the 1k range. The ones who disclose materials used etc. Because some of these look pretty nice to me, but you can order on a website and obviously not as exclusive.

There’s no comparison. If you feel, touch and examine a contemporary brand vs a designer brand bag there’s a myriad of difference. Initially it will be aesthetics, then will move on to touch and feel, quality of materials, then the hardware, finishing and details. Many cannot see the difference - if a person is not detail oriented or have a passion for design and/or fashion and style, appreciation of craftsmanship, they’re likely buying a bag based on the name, reputation, status, etc, which I feel is a large majority of clients.

I’ve heard people proclaim a TB, Michael Kors, Coach, etc is better quality than a designer brand and I wince at that opinion. Once you’ve purchased at least a dozen bags between contemporary and designer and use both the difference is palpable.

It’s like comparing a banana to a mango - it’s pointless. And hard to describe to someone who hasn’t handled and used plenty of both. Kind of like people who compare Prada nylon to regular nylon. Initially it may seem the same, but when you take a close look and examine, feel and use a regular nylon bag compared to a Prada it’s night and day. If not abused and cared for many designer bags will last decades, if not a lifetime.

 

[lalame]

Wow I didn't realize the 22 or 19 were bonded leather. I feel slightly vindicated because I thought they looked and felt quite cheap but, not having owned any Chanel or being an expert by any means, I just thought my instincts must've been way off. IMO this thread is the best of TPF... I know it's very polarizing when someone has such an extreme bad opinion about any bag here but it really does bring out a great discussion among experts!

 

[snowing may]

When Karl was designing, I loved his work and creativity. Thats also what made the difference to me. With Virginie, Im not seeing anywhere near the creativity.

+ 1

 

[TraceySH]

Wow I didn't realize the 22 or 19 were bonded leather. I feel slightly vindicated because I thought they looked and felt quite cheap but, not having owned any Chanel or being an expert by any means, I just thought my instincts must've been way off. IMO this thread is the best of TPF... I know it's very polarizing when someone has such an extreme bad opinion about any bag here but it really does bring out a great discussion among experts!

Agree. Was thinking this today, this is the best of us here!

 

[880]

Is this a defect, is this normal for this Chanel item?

Is this common? I still cannot see what you are bothered by. You say you have had the bag for 5 years and not used it...Why are you examining it forensically NOW for 'imperfections'? just use the bag and enjoy it or let it go..there will always be 'something' that bothers you if you examine...

forum.purseblog.com

Re the issue of crooked flaps (top of the page)
I recalled another TPFers post in the thread above
@elaineiwhite posted in that thread, page 89, that the flap is cut evenly
its the arch of the bag that is lopsided (due to storage, smushing, uneven stuffing, etc)
imo this makes sense and explains some of the so called defects of CFs generally
though of course not the issues introduced by OP here

 

[elaineiwhite]

If you look at the arch of a classic flap from the sides, you can see it is not even. One reason not mentioned might be that an artisan is creating the arch of a flap and not a machine, so evenness will vary to different degrees.

 

[gail13]

As someone here brought up nylon Prada bags which I happen to agree are terrific, they are made from a type of nylon called Econyl; a recycled nylon which is amazing. It is used however on a multitude of products from the Adida line to other non designer items back to Prada. There are multiple articles that discuss it. It is an example of how pricing does not mean better quality. You can find things for a few hundred on up to a few thousand.

We need to recognize as consumers that most of us are willing to pay for the brand name. Luxury items do not promise to be better made or to last any longer than less expensive options. It's all designed to make you feel you are carrying a perceived prestigious item.

At the end of the day we want the cool creation, not some redo of last seasons bag, we want quality products, and we want to know what we are buying. Are we getting leather, some mixture of leather and PVC, coated leather, or something else. I do notice that the bags only imply the type of leather on the website which I never paid attention to until this thread.

 

[TraceySH]

As someone here brought up nylon Prada bags which I happen to agree are terrific, they are made from a type of nylon called Econyl; a recycled nylon which is amazing. It is used however on a multitude of products from the Adida line to other non designer items back to Prada. There are multiple articles that discuss it. It is an example of how pricing does not mean better quality. You can find things for a few hundred on up to a few thousand.

We need to recognize as consumers that most of us are willing to pay for the brand name. Luxury items do not promise to be better made or to last any longer than less expensive options. It's all designed to make you feel you are carrying a perceived prestigious item.

At the end of the day we want the cool creation, not some redo of last seasons bag, we want quality products, and we want to know what we are buying. Are we getting leather, some mixture of leather and PVC, coated leather, or something else. I do notice that the bags only imply the type of leather on the website which I never paid attention to until this thread.

And insofar as that, the website might also not be accurate ..

 

[TraceySH]

As someone here brought up nylon Prada bags which I happen to agree are terrific, they are made from a type of nylon called Econyl; a recycled nylon which is amazing. It is used however on a multitude of products from the Adida line to other non designer items back to Prada. There are multiple articles that discuss it. It is an example of how pricing does not mean better quality. You can find things for a few hundred on up to a few thousand.

We need to recognize as consumers that most of us are willing to pay for the brand name. Luxury items do not promise to be better made or to last any longer than less expensive options. It's all designed to make you feel you are carrying a perceived prestigious item.

At the end of the day we want the cool creation, not some redo of last seasons bag, we want quality products, and we want to know what we are buying. Are we getting leather, some mixture of leather and PVC, coated leather, or something else. I do notice that the bags only imply the type of leather on the website which I never paid attention to until this thread.

And just fyi here’s a list of brands that use econyl including Gucci and Prada …and adidas, Roxy, Speedo, Tommy Hilfiger…

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES | Econyl

Powering innovation through recyclable materials

www.econyl.com

 

[gail13]

And just fyi here’s a list of brands that use econyl including Gucci and Prada …and adidas, Roxy, Speedo, Tommy Hilfiger…

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES | Econyl

Powering innovation through recyclable materials

www.econyl.com

Its a very cool fabric. I'm wanting to go compare these other pieces. Speedo lol?


I used to do trunk shows and sold well known items I sourced here in LA without the labels. I learned that people would rather pay much more to have the label in it. Even though a brand without the label is the same exact thing, people feel better spending more on the one with the name in it. Advertising and psychology are powerful.