Do you feel like the For Target line cheapens your bags?

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#16
Rachieface, I'm with you. I too was crushed when I read that Botkier would be doing a line for Target. It does cheapen the brand. It's a manufacturer-approved knockoff. Why can't Target hire it own bag designers and make amazing, unique bags without glomming onto another designer's name? Will we ever see LV or Chloe for Target?? No, because they wouldn't cheapen their product that way.

Also, if I need to wear a less expensive bag somewhere, I'll wear an old Michael Kors or something, not a petroleum-based vinyl knockoff.
 
#17
It doesn't bother me in the least...I love my higher end bags, I love my low-end bags. The fact that they are doing it at Target (which I frequent waaaay too often), only makes it more tempting for my credit card :p!

I think there is a big difference in quality of materials used. It's one of the things that makes a big difference to me as a buyer of a quality handbag. But I think good design should come at many price points....I would love a Botkier or Gryson to take with me to the pool/park/kid-function. Frankly, if a designer is a good designer, working with pleather is just another medium...
 
#18
bagatella said:
Rachieface, I'm with you. I too was crushed when I read that Botkier would be doing a line for Target. It does cheapen the brand. It's a manufacturer-approved knockoff. Why can't Target hire it own bag designers and make amazing, unique bags without glomming onto another designer's name? Will we ever see LV or Chloe for Target?? No, because they wouldn't cheapen their product that way.

Also, if I need to wear a less expensive bag somewhere, I'll wear an old Michael Kors or something, not a petroleum-based vinyl knockoff.
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I don't think we'll see these brands at Target either. The reason being that they would have no incentive to participate. They are not up and coming design houses seeking increased name recognition, or any of the other advantages that Target offers their participating designers.
 
#19
I don't like it cheapens the brand. If Gryson came out with a Target version of the Jasper than yes, but the Target bags are not the same as their more expensive line. Gryson is a new line and this is a good way to get their name out. Plus how many women do we know think we are insane for spending over $200 on a purse, these bags are for them and their price point.
 
#21
I like the fact that designers make themselves more accessible to everyone. Many people would not have discovered Gryson or Botkier if they were not at Target. Now that they have, and will, I am sure these people will also strive to buy other Gryson, Loeffler Randall, Botkier, Jovovich-Hawk, etc. It's not so much that it is cheap, it's an introduction and we all have to start somewhere when it comes to buying more high end designer fashion.
 
#22
hmm it seems most people who care, seem to care about what other people think. But most people in real life don't care about real bags and probably wouldn't notice what brand bags are unless it's emblazoned withs C's or LV. I know none of my friends know any labels I wear and probably would be shocked if I told them and I'm glad none of the people I know aren't shallow enough to care. It's just a label. Who really gives a crap if it supposedly cheapens a line. The designs are very different even with the new Gryson line and you can tell from pictures it's not even real leather. The material is totally different quality. The only thing similiar with gryson is the woven pleather but even that is pretty obvious. When I looked at Loeffler bags irl, they looked rather cheap.
 
#23
paintednightsky said:
hmm it seems most people who care, seem to care about what other people think. But most people in real life don't care about real bags and probably wouldn't notice what brand bags are unless it's emblazoned withs C's or LV. I know none of my friends know any labels I wear and probably would be shocked if I told them and I'm glad none of the people I know aren't shallow enough to care. It's just a label. Who really gives a crap if it supposedly cheapens a line. The designs are very different even with the new Gryson line and you can tell from pictures it's not even real leather. The material is totally different quality. The only thing similiar with gryson is the woven pleather but even that is pretty obvious. When I looked at Loeffler bags irl, they looked rather cheap.
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With all due respect, I think you're making a big assumption by claiming that people who think this will cheapen their brand are caring what other people think, in the negative sense.

When a brand comes out with a lower end line, it "cheapens" the bag. Period. It's not the fact that anyone is looking at the bag and going "Oh there's a Botkier. It must be from Target! ::sticks up nose::" it's more about the fact that maybe someone would have gotten another brand from say Chloe or BV (who wouldn't do a Target line) because they wouldn't want their bag mimicked in any way (whether it's a knock off, a lower end line, etc.)

Sometimes we pick bags based on their individuality or even their exclusivity because it feels good to carry something one of a kind, or a designer a little "under the radar." I don't think those like myself are caring what other people think as much as understanding that having Target come out with a bag will make the designer VERY accessible - and let's face it - a lot of us like bags that are unaccessible from design houses who most have very little knowledge of because it's nice to carry something one of a kind and not emblazoned with monograms.

Personally, Botkier is my favorite designer and where I am from, they don't really exist, so I am a little disappointed that many people will be carrying around a bag that may not be the same quality as my bags but still sort of inspired by.
 
#24
rachieface said:
With all due respect, I think you're making a big assumption by claiming that people who think this will cheapen their brand are caring what other people think, in the negative sense.

When a brand comes out with a lower end line, it "cheapens" the bag. Period. It's not the fact that anyone is looking at the bag and going "Oh there's a Botkier. It must be from Target! ::sticks up nose::" it's more about the fact that maybe someone would have gotten another brand from say Chloe or BV (who wouldn't do a Target line) because they wouldn't want their bag mimicked in any way (whether it's a knock off, a lower end line, etc.)

Sometimes we pick bags based on their individuality or even their exclusivity because it feels good to carry something one of a kind, or a designer a little "under the radar." I don't think those like myself are caring what other people think as much as understanding that having Target come out with a bag will make the designer VERY accessible - and let's face it - a lot of us like bags that are unaccessible from design houses who most have very little knowledge of because it's nice to carry something one of a kind and not emblazoned with monograms.

Personally, Botkier is my favorite designer and where I am from, they don't really exist, so I am a little disappointed that many people will be carrying around a bag that may not be the same quality as my bags but still sort of inspired by.
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ITA, Rachieface!:tup:
 
#25
This is an interesting point of view. Many designers have a lower line, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Michael by Michael Kors, D&G, all of the Armani lines below Giorgio, etc. Do you feel like anything you own by Chloe is cheapened because there is a See by Chloe line? My own view is that these collaborations are great! I learned about several designers that I may not have heard of otherwise. And most of the Target lines do not look like the designer's high-end ones.
rachieface said:
When a brand comes out with a lower end line, it "cheapens" the bag. Period. It's not the fact that anyone is looking at the bag and going "Oh there's a Botkier. It must be from Target! ::sticks up nose::" it's more about the fact that maybe someone would have gotten another brand from say Chloe or BV (who wouldn't do a Target line) because they wouldn't want their bag mimicked in any way (whether it's a knock off, a lower end line, etc.)
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#26
I don't have a problem with it. I think it's great that there are going to be some great bags available to people who can't afford the higher end bags.
 
#27
titania029 said:
This is an interesting point of view. Many designers have a lower line, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Michael by Michael Kors, D&G, all of the Armani lines below Giorgio, etc. Do you feel like anything you own by Chloe is cheapened because there is a See by Chloe line? My own view is that these collaborations are great! I learned about several designers that I may not have heard of otherwise. And most of the Target lines do not look like the designer's high-end ones.
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See by Chloe does not include handbags, does it?
 
#28
Truthfully, to be brutally honest, yes, I do feel like when a bag has a lower end scale, I would think twice about buying one of their higher end bags.

But, I am more focusing my point on the Target mass marketing, I guess. Most of these bags like MBMJ, AX have their own stores and are not being sold at a place like Target which is basically everyone's favorite store. Whether you are high class, middle class, lower class, whatever - you go to Target. If you are buying a MBMJ piece, you have to seek it out.

At Target, you won't have to seek these bags out, but just go to the store and randomly see a Botkier - which in my opinion lessens the luxury.

But you definitely do prove a good point, titania, and I am well aware that these brands are and will make a LOT of money off these Target lines. It's a good business move for them, but a bad move for myself.
 
#30
If you're buying a quality handbag for the bag and not just to be someones walking advertising, then nothing can "cheapen" your handbag. Designers don't (or at least shouldn't) get into the fashion business to make pretty things for a small sub-sect of pretty people with money - its about everyone having and enjoying nice things. If that means someone can enjoy a Botkier or Gryson or whatever from Target made with less expensive materials and set at a better price point, then I say thats fantastic.

Like I said in a previous post in another thread - people who think a brand making a more affordable offshoot is a bad thing is just being a snob and should probably check themselves - most of them would fight kicking and screaming to the front of the line for a "Chanel by Target" and you know it!
 
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