Exotics

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#61
Non-brand-specific…, the pure essence of me:-) However, had I knew back in 2011 that this bag would be so wide spread, its shape so recognizeable and also in sale for more than 10 years I could have saved myself the trouble of doing a MTO just to have the brand name removed.

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#64
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
You are correct that Mauro Governa made some of their bags, maybe all, I don't know. You are also correct that it is alligator, but I don't know how you can see that. I only know Mr. Suarez (Mario?) confirmed it. And yes, he said that that model, in the current version, was $6k.

i agree with Jelliedfeels, we could do with an exotic skin appreciation thread and I suspect many of us have questions about croc v alligator.
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I had a number of their bags, and some exotics, and some Mauro governa, the last ones Matte alligator. . . I will see if I have a pic somewhere. Suarez was a family business, and the siblings Matt and Ramona took over from Mr. And Mrs. Suarez senior. The most recent location by bloomingdales closed. Their exotics were beautiful and Matt had an amazing eye. I was not always crazy about the finish on their hardware, but the manufacture of the bags was excellent. Also, they had wonderful sales. This is a pic of the bag, but it sadly doesn’t convey how fabulous the dark chocolate ebene alligator was. . . It was a very cool toned ebene, with almost blue undertones. And the tactile feel of the bag was unbelievable
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#65
I started carrying exotics when I was about 16 or 17 , although I don’t have a large collection atm like @ExoticsOnly as I spend on jewellery ..
I was a ballerina, and in Covent Garden market in London, a retired Asprey craftsman sold crocodile and lizard bags using leftover Asprey skins sewn together.
I already owned Chanel blouses in silk and loved beautiful things and became hooked -the bags were only £36-75( in the late 1980’s).
When I started working they were far more hardwearing than my first Chanel bag, and to me far more attractive.

My most expensive bag to date was bought new-my Jimmy Choo matte navy crocodile bag-bought when the quality there was good, I still use it..for years it was my only bag..when I lived in Paris I had a stunning black box and charcoal ostrich bag, also I love my Laurus Prussia ostrich Geneva bag although it’s not a practical size..

I have a wishlist of more exotic bags(I own more as well atm), and eventually would like an Hermes Horizons bespoke exotic bag-if I can bear not to spend it on high jewellery …I’m currently paying for a Cullinan diamond and pink diamond ring.

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#66
I remember Rene Mancini-i used to live in Paris, he made Chanel’s shoes, the company made small sizes(I’m 35.5), they had their boutique in rue de La Paix, I used to go there, as well as Lobb in Hermes FSH and JM Weston..
 
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#67
Does anyone here know if Furla uses real lizard or lizard embossed calf? I've seen them described on the second hand market each way. Furla doesn't strike me as the kind of label that would use real exotics, but I don't know all that much about them so that could be a super ignorant point of view.
 
#68
I've done some digging and going to answer my own two questions:

Re: Suarez, they lost a lot of their partner companies in Italy during COVID so have closed their doors for now while they figure out their next steps.

Re: Furla, they do not and never have used exotic leathers. That's what I figured, but wanted to be clear for folks like me who scour the pre-loved market and get mixed messaged.
 
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#69
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
Where would Asprey fit into this conversation when they were Asprey & Garrard? Still about the same? *almost* Hermes quality, or was it different then.

I know about Garrard's jewelry, and suppose that their bags were fantastic, but I'm curious if you have thoughts on this.
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I have no experience with Asprey during their short time with Garrard, but I assume quality was the same. When I say «almost Hermes quality» I want to make it clear that I have never owned a Hermes bag, but I have closely checked them out many times over the years. While most of the non-exotic Asprey 167 Bond Street model bags were made in Italy, their crocodile and alligator bags, wallets, cases and boxes were made in house at the time I frequented Asprey. Another thing about Asprey is that they stocked patches in order to make small repairs like renewing a handle or part of a strap a decade after your purchase.

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#70
ExoticsOnly said:
I have no experience with Asprey during their short time with Garrard, but I assume quality was the same. When I say «almost Hermes quality» I want to make it clear that I have never owned a Hermes bag, but I have closely checked them out many times over the years. While most of the non-exotic Asprey 167 Bond Street model bags were made in Italy, their crocodile and alligator bags, wallets, cases and boxes were made in house at the time I frequented Asprey. Another thing about Asprey is that they stocked patches in order to make small repairs like renewing a handle or part of a strap a decade after your purchase.

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Yes, the craftsman who made my first exotic bags-when I was 16/17 who had retired from Asprey used their skins, he probably had a store of leftover scraps, I had a crocodile bag which was only £35 but beautifully made almost patchwork but beautiful scales..perfect for a 16 year old, although I also had full skin bags which would have been Bond Street worthy -after that, even for my first Chanel bag aged 19, I went to Paris for a navy lizard bag and have been spoiled for anything else..it’s like a drug as I’m sure @ExoticsOnly will agree..once bitten , nothing else will do!
I’d rather have less bags than zillions of leather ones…my wishlist bags are all exotics..
 
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#71
cecchetti said:
Yes, the craftsman who made my first exotic bags-when I was 16/17 who had retired from Asprey used their skins, he probably had a store of leftover scraps, I had a crocodile bag which was only £35 but beautifully made almost patchwork but beautiful scales..perfect for a 16 year old, although I also had full skin bags which would have been Bond Street worthy -after that, even for my first Chanel bag aged 19, I went to Paris for a navy lizard bag and have been spoiled for anything else..it’s like a drug as I’m sure @ExoticsOnly will agree..once bitten , nothing else will do!
I’d rather have less bags than zillions of leather ones…my wishlist bags are all exotics..
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#73
While my alias is ExoticsOnly I have owned a few mixed leather/exotic and non-exotics as well. From my memory I recall Andrea Pfister crossover in suede/python and Marc Jacobs pc-bag in bullskin/alligator. Also Bvlgari Zero B1 clutch (round) in patent calf and Asprey tote in bullskin. I have also owned a dozen or so alligator, crocodile and ostrich bags not featured in this forum because I gave them to my daughter, among them Lana Marks, Mauro Governo, Rene Mancini, Romeo Santamaria, Kara Ross and this very rare Tom Ford in olive alligator. F08DBEC5-B009-4DB9-AAAC-45E0C51F9782.jpegimage.jpg
 
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#75
ExoticsOnly said:
It is a cardholder in alligator from Jacob&Co that matchet the strap of a timepiece from said New York boutique.
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I thought it was a cardholder, the shade of blue is beautiful, I lived near the Jacob&Co boutique in Paris and am familiar with their world watches and high quality straps, it’s a very beautiful piece-I’m going to buy a similar one, but currently paying a lay-by on a diamond ring plus one of my Siamese cats has renal amyloidosis..running up very large vets bills , then afterwards more kittens etc…I’m having a very expensive year.
I’m in possession of the ring so have to pay, whatever happens with Tammy, although I’ve been a client of the company since I was 18, and am well looked after, but I don’t want to lose the trust I’ve built up as I buy High Jewellery as well..

You have a beautiful collection of exotic bags-I lived in the 400 year old Palais Royal , which had damp , and I lost several bags to that, although I keep my exotic bags in dust bags inside my wardrobe.

I will buy more alligator/crocodile bags, but my favourite bag in my current collection remains my ostrich Laurus bag.
 
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