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

[nsughtnsugahyde]

Hi everyone. Thank you OP for posting what I’ve thought for years.
I’m new to TPF as I don’t normally have time for social media.
For those of you who don’t know what Naugahyde is, Google it and you’ll understand what the 22 is made of.
OP your picture of the Teddy Sweaters killed me. I bought 2 and the arms on one were elbow length. But that’s a whole other thread.
The person who posted the Hefty bag ad next to her 22 is genius as that’s exactly what that bag looked like when I went in to the boutique to pick up the one I had been charged for.
Needless to say, I left my rose gold Hefty bag there to be returned.
This thread is both informative & hilarious and I am so happy that I took the time to finally join TPF.
Look at how horrible this is and it’s not empty either.
Again, thank you OP for bringing this out from the shadows that Chanel would like to keep it in

 

[bagsaremyjam]

I had to read this whole thread before commenting. First of all, thank you to the OP for starting this thread and putting not one but 2 of her 19s to the test.
I’ve been a legacy Camellia client for longer than just about anyone I know and I live in Palm Beach, so that’s saying something.
I am one of maybe 50 people in the world who has been allowed to custom create 2 bags. But let’s be clear, Chanel is not a leather house. They are a fashion brand. They are not a Launer, Hermes or Delvaux. Chanel didnt start making handbags until 1955 (the 255). Chanel is a couturier.
So to be hearing stories of their RTW and even some couture pieces, falling apart while they’re being tried on should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the brand.
Yes, my avatar is the Man Ray photo only because it’s beeenthat since I started on TPF almost 15 years ago and it reminds me of when Chanel stood for quality, not status.
Everything OP has stated, I can say that I too independently know to be factual. A lot of the problems started when they built the Chinese run factory in Italy so that the bags could legally be stamped “Made in Italy”.
I realize that this has little to do with OPs initial complaint but I felt some context and history of the brand needed to be added as the subpar quality of bags should be of little surprise when the product for which Chanel built the brand on, which is clothing, is barely wearable without concern of it falling apart. That should tell you something.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

This message is not directed to the OP, as I believe there was communication issues/misunderstandings on possibly both ends, and I don’t even want to continue with that dialogue.

However, for the sake of others on here, and for educational purposes, I want to share. For those curious about what’s coated on the classic 19 bags (since there’s a durability coated on the leather that isn’t often seen on lambskin), I found a forum focused on leather and this answer is insightful.

The Balenciaga lambskin jacket pictured is what this person is referring to, and the appearance looks very much like the classic 19 bag.

 

[JamaisAssez]

"Lambskin is often coated with a shiny acrylic finish in order to further weatherproof the hide & give it longevity."

Right, but Tracey also rubbed acetone on the 19 lol...Wouldn't that cause deterioration of this alleged acrylic coating?

 

[880]

This message is not directed to the OP, as I believe there was communication issues/misunderstandings on possibly both ends, and I don’t even want to continue with that dialogue.

However, for the sake of others on here, and for educational purposes, I want to share. For those curious about what’s coated on the classic 19 bags (since there’s a durability coated on the leather that isn’t often seen on lambskin), I found a forum focused on leather and this answer is insightful.

The Balenciaga lambskin jacket pictured is what this person is referring to, and the appearance looks very much like the classic 19 bag.



View attachment 5578543View attachment 5578544

Interesting, thank youl I have a chanel lambskin skirt from 2001 that is still in excellent condition, but it is soft and shiny.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

"Lambskin is often coated with a shiny acrylic finish in order to further weatherproof the hide & give it longevity."

Right, but Tracey also rubbed acetone on the 19 lol...Wouldn't that cause deterioration of this alleged acrylic coating?

I’m not a leather expert, but I believe even though it may not seem to be doing anything initially, I’m sure over time it will wear in that area. Just like anything sitting on a material for long periods will eventually do.

Another commenter on here said a cheap coating could be penetrated easily, while that could be in question with a higher quality coating.

I’m merely sharing this info. The leather and coating look similar. Maybe others will find more info on acrylic being used on lambskin. I don’t have answers. I said it was insightful, and it could be a clue as to what’s laying on the lambskin.

 

[gail13]

Looking back through this thread and what OP originally posted, That chunk of color missing and that wrinkling is not something real leather would do. If there was leather underneath a coating like that, there would be hide poking thru. There is white substance that appears to look like a liner, which looks alot like the 22 bag issues. That top coat is very very thin and delicate.

I can understand lambskin having a coating on it and I'm good with that. My question is, what is the material being used for some of these newer bags styles? I myself also wonder what the newer 19 bag are made of. I have a leather SLG of the 19 style and it is heavier leather. When I compare it to my 19 its much different.

When I buy a luxury item and it says leather, my expectation is its mostly real leather.

 

[TraceySH]

Wellllllll for everyone here. I called Chanel's 800 customer service line and asked if they had some documentation they could provide that stated their bags are 100% leather, including the 19 and the 22. The person I spoke with said they don't and they cannot provide any more specifics about the materials used other than what is listed on the site.

So. Everyone can take that one of 2 ways. I know how I take it, but some will insist on defending the lack of transparency. SO, "straight from the horse's mouth", so to speak. You guys decide.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

Looking back through this thread and what OP originally posted, That chunk of color missing and that wrinkling is not something real leather would do. If there was leather underneath a coating like that, there would be hide poking thru. There is white substance that appears to look like a liner, which looks alot like the 22 bag issues. That top coat is very very thin and delicate.

I can understand lambskin having a coating on it and I'm good with that. My question is, what is the material being used for some of these newer bags styles? I myself also wonder what the newer 19 bag are made of. I have a leather SLG of the 19 style and it is heavier leather. When I compare it to my 19 its much different.

When I buy a luxury item and it says leather, my expectation is its mostly real leather.

My 19 bag is goatskin. Smells like leather the day I bought it and it still does. Have no comment on the lamb 19 as I don’t own it, but have been told by SA’s it’s more durable because it’s treated.

 

[gail13]

Wellllllll for everyone here. I called Chanel's 800 customer service line and asked if they had some documentation they could provide that stated their bags are 100% leather, including the 19 and the 22. The person I spoke with said they don't and they cannot provide any more specifics about the materials used other than what is listed on the site.

So. Everyone can take that one of 2 ways. I know how I take it, but some will insist on defending the lack of transparency. SO, "straight from the horse's mouth", so to speak. You guys decide.

Well that does not surprise me. I asked one of my SA's a few weeks ago that I heard these were bonded leather and he told me point blank he knew the metallics were but was not sure about the others. I was shocked. I asked if he had heard about some of the quality issues popping up and he said yes....and I asked if I bought this and it started to peel would I be able to return or would I need to repair and he said the latter. So I passed on it. But I have seen a few other bags non metallic and now this 19 tote, which is why I have started to question other bags that appear to have a similar finish.

 

[platanoparty]

"Lambskin is often coated with a shiny acrylic finish in order to further weatherproof the hide & give it longevity."

Right, but Tracey also rubbed acetone on the 19 lol...Wouldn't that cause deterioration of this alleged acrylic coating?

That’s a valid point but it wasn’t 100% acetone. I think it had enough other ingredients that it wouldn’t have the same effect many reference with regards to 100% acetone and deglazers.

 

[TraceySH]

Well that does not surprise me. I asked one of my SA's a few weeks ago that I heard these were bonded leather and he told me point blank he knew the metallics were but was not sure about the others. I was shocked. I asked if he had heard about some of the quality issues popping up and he said yes....and I asked if I bought this and it started to peel would I be able to return or would I need to repair and he said the latter. So I passed on it. But I have seen a few other bags non metallic and now this 19 tote, which is why I have started to question other bags that appear to have a similar finish.

Well at least you got more of a direct answer than I did. So some are, some aren't. Some are leather some are pleather. It's a gamble no matter how anyone looks at it. Maybe you'll be ok, maybe you won't. Maybe it's leather, maybe it's Frankenstein. Maybe you'll get refunded, maybe you won't. Maybe it can be repaired if it disintegrates, maybe it can't.

Sure feels like luxury

 

[gail13]

My 19 bag is goatskin. Smells like leather the day I bought it and it still does. Have no comment on the lamb 19 as I don’t own it, but have been told by SA’s it’s more durable because it’s treated.

I have the original 19 in Goatskin also. It does smell like leather. I'm really commenting on the 22 bag and now the new 19 tote that OP posted. I don't understand why the 19 Tote would be made differently than the 19 bag tho-does that make sense? Something changed. These are newer quality issues and they aren't good.

 

[platanoparty]

@gail13 and @TraceySH these are intriguing updates!! I find it disheartening that people are getting mixed answers from SAs - either refund or repair. Point blank if your bag or any item is that messed up it should be a refund without question

 

[TraceySH]

@gail13 and @TraceySH these are intriguing updates!! I find it disheartening that people are getting mixed answers from SAs - either refund or repair. Point blank if your bag or any item is that messed up it should be a refund without question

Or maybe the entire responsibly lies in Chanel’s approach to their own products. We shouldn’t ever have a thread like this. Just think about it. What we are all saying. This is ridiculous. Sane people just walk away & don’t have time for all these shenanigans. Just shows our tolerance has been lowered to a level below reasonable. Our expectations of them mediocre on a good day. Kind of shocking really. Their psychological warfare is top notch