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

[TraceySH]

They’ve put limits on purchases because of resellers and because they are trying to regain exclusivity. I think this has come on the tails of everyone on YouTube and everything in between with their bags. I’m And also because merchandise from new collections were almost completely sold out at launch and there would be no merchandise for customers coming into the store. Now people can actually walk into boutiques on the day or week before launch and purchase items that would normally be reserved.

I sold a number of things in the past year after I realized I spent far too much time and money shopping at the height of the pandemic and ended up with purchases I didn’t need.

I cleared out my closet to curate what I really wanted and needed, got rid of items I thought I’d never sell, like a dark red caviar mini from 2017 in perfectly new condition that I hardly used. I soon realized certain items were selling at crazy rates and prices because no one was spending money to make up for no dining, entertainment, travel, etc. Many people were putting their money into luxury goods.

Well, life has crawled back into normalcy and people are out, dining, going to games, traveling like crazy. Oh. And also our economy is not stable, inflation is insane, free government money and fraud (people taking advantage of apartment moratoriums, EDD fraud, etc) has subsided. All these things have contributed to why things are not selling the way they were.

I agree with all this, plus an over saturated market, and mass production. Not just w/ Chanel. FP I’ve heard is declining and rescinding quotes even.

Also I do know Chanel wants to get back to perks for VIC. So wiping out all non-RTW statuses & removing ability to reserve for most going forward (not to mention building separate stores just for VIC) is all apparently part of the plan. Not sure how that will go over with what you mentioned above. (Reading the room).

 

[bagsaremyjam]

Well, this is just sort of well known history of the classic vs 2.55. But no worries it’s a lot to keep straight. Anyway, as always appreciate your colorful and thoughtful input, but please don’t stress yourself out. I am sure there are other threads and people with woes that could use your insight. And no, I’m not being facetious. Said in earnest.

Haha thanks.

 

[bags to die for]

Just throwing it out there. From the chanel exhibition that was in Melbourne.

 

[TraceySH]

Just throwing it out there. From the chanel exhibition that was in Melbourne.

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They are so beautiful. I remember Michelle Williams carrying one in the movie “all the money in the world” and was in love. I’d love to see this exhibit!

 

[EpiFanatic]

They’ve put limits on purchases because of resellers and because they are trying to regain exclusivity. And also because merchandise from new collections were almost completely sold out at launch and there would be no merchandise for customers coming into the store. Now people can actually walk into boutiques on the day or week before launch and purchase items that would normally be reserved.

I sold a number of things in the past year after I realized I spent far too much time and money shopping at the height of the pandemic and ended up with purchases I didn’t need.

I cleared out my closet to curate what I really wanted and needed, got rid of items I thought I’d never sell, like a dark red caviar mini from 2017 in perfectly new condition that I hardly used. I soon realized certain items were selling at crazy rates and prices because no one was spending money to make up for no dining, entertainment, travel, etc. Many people were putting their money into luxury goods.

Well, life has crawled back into normalcy and people are out, dining, going to games, concerts, traveling, etc,. Now our economy is not stable, inflation is out of control, basic things like gas and groceries are so much more expensive, free government money and fraud (people taking advantage of apartment moratoriums, EDD fraud, etc) has subsided or will soon end. All these things have contributed to why things are not selling the way they were.

And that makes sense. I remember when buying preloved meant getting a deal for the buyer and recouping some costs for the seller. But since demand for luxury goods went crazy, resellers started charging ridiculous prices and got paid! That’s why FP is overstocked. But this is just a 2-3 year blip. The resellers’ prices should go back down which will force people to think harder before buying since they can’t just unload it on a reseller and recoup 80-90% of their cost. Which then means we will all be keeping our bags longer and maybe this luxury market will slow down. But who knows. I couldn’t have predicted a pandemic and even if I had, I would have thought luxury goods would be the last thing people would demand.

 

[rkuro]

I know. I know I am and have been a mouthpiece for Chanel, the good and the bad. And have always tried to be objective and tell it like it is. This might just be the last straw for me. I'm exhausted from TRYING to make them be what they used to be in my head.

wonder what do they do with all the returns! Do they fix it then resell ?!

 

[papertiger]

Thank you for that. I knew there was some big thing about shoes, all sorts of shoes being made for all these brands in the same place...maybe it was in the Gucci owned factories?

Most of the ladies heels (Gucci) used to be made at Sergio Rossi (also Kering owned at the time). Since 2015 they are mostly in-house. I'm not sure which other brands Gccci factories make for, but everybody's shoes are beginning to look the same anyway, and I don't think of fashion sneakers as shoes.

I actually think Chanel shoes and boots are pretty good.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

I’m really curious how many of the haters comparing a $300 bag to a Chanel actually own a Chanel bag. Or (insert another luxury brand that’s been discussed).

It’s one thing to hear constructive thoughts, strong opinions, opposing narratives, and insightful knowledge. It’s another thing to listen to people talking sh*t who sound like they don’t own any of these items being discussed. Or have the least bit of knowledge with these brands. It’s glaringly obvious in some cases.

 

[fantajisan]

I’m really curious how many of the haters comparing a $300 bag to a Chanel actually own a Chanel bag. Or (insert another luxury brand that’s been discussed).

It’s one thing to hear constructive thoughts, strong opinions, opposing narratives, and insightful knowledge. It’s another thing to listen to people talking sh*t who sound like they don’t own any of these items being discussed. Or have the least bit of knowledge with these brands. It’s glaringly obvious in some cases.

I am fortunate to own multiple Chanel bags, and then some LV, Prada, Dior, Bottega, Fendi. But let's not kid ourselves that we would lose our minds over these bags if the brand name was not attached to them.

 

[2cello]

I have a mix of luxe and contemporary brands. IMO, the majority of luxe bags are not matched by contemporary. It’s the *combination* of high quality materials, construction and design that makes it luxe. With contemporary, sometimes I will find a killer design, but the material is disappointing (this happens with my Zadig & Voltaire bags, get compliments all the time but the leather is cardboard.) Or the leather is great but the bag is plain. I think the Loewe puzzle is a great example. Contemporary brands aren’t going to produce that combo of design and quality. It’s too expensive for their target market.

However, there can be a wide variety of contemporary and luxe quality imo. Occasionally, something contemporary breaks through. The original coach 1941 bags are up there. The leather on the early rogues is among my favorites. It’s very similar to Mulberry’s small classic grain. The Dinkeys were leather lined and they did interesting things with the design. While bags I have had from Miu Miu, Givenchy, or even my seasonal Chanel, have been lackluster. So as with most things, there are no absolutes.

 

[Naynaykilla]

Wow, quality has declined so much and prices have increased?! I am shocked.

 

[880]

I’m really curious how many of the haters comparing a $300 bag to a Chanel actually own a Chanel bag. Or (insert another luxury brand that’s been discussed).

It’s one thing to hear constructive thoughts, strong opinions, opposing narratives, and insightful knowledge. It’s another thing to listen to people talking sh*t who sound like they don’t own any of these items being discussed. Or have the least bit of knowledge with these brands. It’s glaringly obvious in some cases.

No idea, but I was being somewhat facetious lol. I’ve worn premier designer Hermes, chanel or bottega or other bags like them for twenty plus years. Here are two older examples of my own RTW, purchased by me from 57th st from 2000A (must have ben on sale bc I started shopping at chanel RTW in 2001) and 2003spring, both labeled 100% cuir agneau and both in superb condition. These are new pics that I took and I’ve worn and beaten this stuff to death (with a vintage — Japanese reseller Hermes clutch that I had professionally reconditioned by @docride) H metallic silver chèvre clutch for contrast. The white leather jacket is special treated to crinkle with gold metallic throughout the hide.


ETA: the white just came back from the cleaners bc my mom had borrowed it and left it somewhere in a humid room in the third world for months. It was worse for wear, but it restored beautifully. Of course the cost of cleaning and refreshing was as much as a KL bag.

ETA: pre 2008, when I switched to Hermes, I owned at least 30 chanel bags (given to me by my mom or purchased by me retail) mainly lambskin bc I was not crazy about caviar. I have only kept a few, and I’m in the minority on TPF as not seeing much diff in quality from back then and the ones I bought. My last was a calf skin in 2020. So black mini chevron reissue

 

[ntntgo]

I came back to catch up and wow did this thread take a sharp left.
As we are already off topic, I’ll again add some context to the logo discussion.
I want to once again clarify my comment about my mom modeling for Chanel. To be clear, 1.) There were no “runways”. Women were posed on individual elevated platforms or they posed as a group and 2.) She modeled for many designers (I’m using the word designer as a person who designs.) Some ”design houses” are still around, some are well known and some aren’t or are gone all together. I wanted to get that out of the way.
There is what my mom called CBK (Chanel before Karl) when the CC logo was on haute couture and on the inside flap of the 2.55 and CAK. When Karl took over after the passing of Coco, he did something that was very smart that expanded Chanel from a true fashion house to an actual brand. First, he removed the CC logo from any haute couture and ONLY put it on RTW as he knew that once that logo was slapped all over everything, those who bought haute couture would no longer buy it and by using it all over pret-a-porter (RTW) it became available to everyone.
in the 80’s somewhere, is when he started using it as the turn lock on bags. The rest is history. Not HERstory (her being Coco). It changed the brand forever. I’d like to believe that it got away from him as the Wertheimer’s greed got the best of him. Also, please keep in mind that Coco sued Pierre Wertheimer to get her company back as he was originally brought in to the perfume business and she felt that he began to exploit her name.
My apologies to the OP for my interjection of OT history.
I’ll close with this, the original Chanel handbag looked more like what we know as the Hermes Kelly before Coco got sick of carrying a handheld bag. The 2.55 was (I know I’m going to likely lambasted for this but facts are facts) based off of the military bags that the SS soldiers carried. Keep in mind the herstory of Coco & the SS.
Also, to OP’s point about Chanel not being a French company, she is correct. The Wertheimers came to the US in the 1940s as they were Jewish & the business holdings are in fact located in the UK.
Thank you for allowing me to interject my completely OT history posts. I just wanted to highlight that the names thrown out in this thread are not fashion houses anymore. They are brands being brilliantly marketed to new money.
Thank you for allowing me to momentarily hijack your thread OP.

No idea, but I was being somewhat facetious lol. I’ve worn premier designer Hermes, chanel or bottega or other bags like them for twenty plus years. Here are two older examples of my own RTW, purchased by me from 57th st from 2000A (must have ben on sale bc I started shopping at chanel RTW in 2001) and 2003spring, both labeled 100% cuir agneau and both in superb condition. These are new pics that I took and I’ve worn and beaten this stuff to death (with a vintage — Japanese reseller Hermes clutch that I had professionally reconditioned by @docride) H metallic silver chèvre clutch for contrast. The white leather jacket is special treated to crinkle with gold metallic throughout the hide.

View attachment 5580771View attachment 5580772View attachment 5580773
ETA: the white just came back from the cleaners bc my mom had borrowed it and left it somewhere in a humid room in the third world for months. It was worse for wear, but it restored beautifully. Of course the cost of cleaning and refreshing was as much as a KL bag.

ETA: pre 2008, when I switched to Hermes, I owned at least 30 chanel bags (given to me by my mom or purchased by me retail) mainly lambskin bc I was not crazy about caviar. I have only kept a few, and I’m in the minority on TPF as not seeing much diff in quality from back then and the ones I bought. My last was a calf skin in 2020. So black mini chevron reissue

Totally OT, I’ve been looking for glasses that shape. Most I’ve found are either Dita or Saint Laurent. Do you mind me asking who makes those? They’re fabulous.

@ntntgo I highly respect and value members like you for your input, participation and able to learn more about chanel!
I would love to see those modeling shots of your mom during 50’s (only if it doesn’t compromise your privacy) I’m sure chanel was at different place back in 50’s “Grand Return” and I wish we can travel back in time. But I think we are all honored to have you back on this forum!
Pic captured from book “ Vocabulary of style” chanel salon, Paris July 1962

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I have no concerns about my privacy here. Most people who have been on here a long time know my name anyway. I use the same @ntntgo on all of my social media. Ironically enough, this is where it started.
However, my mom passed a couple of years ago and I won’t post her personal photos on a public forum. If we’re FB friends or you’re on my IG, I posted some of her modeling photos (not just Chanel) on my personal pages when she passed. They are viewable there and I’m pretty sure there are a handful of OGs in this convo that I am friends with.
My apologies if we are but I’ve been off TPF for years as a regular and have long since forgotten most of the TPF names of people who I became real life friends with.
ETA: My mom never wanted to be known as a model. She wanted to be known as a pioneering hematologist and after she retired, just a mom and wife. She hated when I told people about her modeling. But, it’s not my pride in her modeling for top fashion houses. It’s pride that at 16 years old she went out on her own and worked her way through college & medical school without a dime from her family.

 

[mzbaglady1]

I came back to catch up and wow did this thread take a sharp left.
As we are already off topic, I’ll again add some context to the logo discussion.
I want to once again clarify my comment about my mom modeling for Chanel. To be clear, 1.) There were no “runways”. Women were posed on individual elevated platforms or they posed as a group and 2.) She modeled for many designers (I’m using the word designer as a person who designs.) Some ”design houses” are still around, some are well known and some aren’t or are gone all together. I wanted to get that out of the way.
There is what my mom called CBK (Chanel before Karl) when the CC logo was on haute couture and on the inside flap of the 2.55 and CAK. When Karl took over after the passing of Coco, he did something that was very smart that expanded Chanel from a true fashion house to an actual brand. First, he removed the CC logo from any haute couture and ONLY put it on RTW as he knew that once that logo was slapped all over everything, those who bought haute couture would no longer buy it and by using it all over pret-a-porter (RTW) it became available to everyone.
in the 80’s somewhere, is when he started using it as the turn lock on bags. The rest is history. Not HERstory (her being Coco). It changed the brand forever. I’d like to believe that it got away from him as the Wertheimer’s greed got the best of him. Also, please keep in mind that Coco sued Pierre Wertheimer to get her company back as he was originally brought in to the perfume business and she felt that he began to exploit her name.
My apologies to the OP for my interjection of OT history.
I’ll close with this, the original Chanel handbag looked more like what we know as the Hermes Kelly before Coco got sick of carrying a handheld bag. The 2.55 was (I know I’m going to likely lambasted for this but facts are facts) based off of the military bags that the SS soldiers carried. Keep in mind the herstory of Coco & the SS.
Also, to OP’s point about Chanel not being a French company, she is correct. The Wertheimers came to the US in the 1940s as they were Jewish & the business holdings are in fact located in the UK.
Thank you for allowing me to interject my completely OT history posts. I just wanted to highlight that the names thrown out in this thread are not fashion houses anymore. They are brands being brilliantly marketed to new money.
Thank you for allowing me to momentarily hijack your thread OP.

Thank you for your information that you provided to this thread. My questions was answered by your post. So heavy logo rtw was this under Karl Lagerfeld also? And was this done to attract a younger client base? I'm just noticing this trend with Chanel within the last couple of years and I do not recall this trend maybe ten to fifteen years ago.

 

[JamaisAssez]

So heavy logo rtw was this under Karl Lagerfeld also?

Logo heavy RTW was solely introduced by Lagerfeld. According to Vogue he created the CC logo.

How Karl Lagerfeld Reinvented Chanel—and the Role of the Creative Director on Today’s ‘In Vogue: The 1990s’ Episode

In the 1990s the multitasking designer Karl Lagerfeld transformed the house of Chanel, the industry, and himself.

www.vogue.com

Everyday Things Karl Lagerfeld Has Put the Chanel Logo On

Beach balls, life preservers, flasks — the works.

www.thecut.com