Exotics

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#76
cecchetti said:
.once bitten , nothing else will do!
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Understand!

I am a pre-loved bag collector. I'm looking at a cute Lana Marks alligator right now that is kind of squished. It is not creased between the scales (I know that cannot be reversed), but it just looks like someone stored it at the bottom of the drawer and it has a swoop.

in general, would you steer away from a bag with a lost of shape, but knowing that it's just squished, not creased at the scales?

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#77
Wait a minute! Now that I think about it, why isn't it creased between the scales? Is this bag embossed and not alligator at all?

I said Lana Marks, I meant VBH. I know Lana Marks does not ever emboss, but I have no idea about VBH.

Thanks for your help!
 
#78
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
Wait a minute! Now that I think about it, why isn't it creased between the scales? Is this bag embossed and not alligator at all?

I said Lana Marks, I meant VBH. I know Lana Marks does not ever emboss, but I have no idea about VBH.

Thanks for your help!
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To my best knowledge Vernon Bruce Hoeksema never made any embossed bags. He did however make bags in various materials besides exotics. Your bag is alligator and the reason there is no visible creasing between the scales is due to the bag being unused. The skin between scales or scutes is soft and flexible, but during the tanning and coloring process the dye forms a solid coating. After use there will be both creasings and hair cracks. Note that there will be more or less creasings and cracks depending on which part of the skin is being used. Buying exotics second hand is risky, you need to see the piece to know if it has been stored correctly. A bag out of shape is usually no problem, moisture may cause mold, dust may cause rot and general neglect may cause the skins to dry out beyond repair.
 
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#81
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
@ExoticsOnly --You, and others, are what makes tPF an invaluable and indispensable resource. thank you.

I didn't think VBH would make embossed (I've been looking at their bags), but then I saw this PurseBlog article that states they have embossed bags. I was surprised to see that. https://www.purseblog.com/exotics/you-really-should-take-a-look-at-vbh-fall-2011/
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Embossing is any printed, stamped or pressed part of a material. VBH may have made bags with embossing, but to my best knowledge no leather ones with exotics pattern made to look exactly like genuine. The clutch in the article no one would mistake for genuine and the tote appears to have a sewing pattern. However, I may be wrong about exactly what VBH has made over the years.
 
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#83
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
Understand!

I am a pre-loved bag collector. I'm looking at a cute Lana Marks alligator right now that is kind of squished. It is not creased between the scales (I know that cannot be reversed), but it just looks like someone stored it at the bottom of the drawer and it has a swoop.

in general, would you steer away from a bag with a lost of shape, but knowing that it's just squished, not creased at the scales?

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I’d been recommending that you speak to @ExoticsOnly as I personally wouldn’t buy it, but that’s not necessarily the right answer, luckily she stepped in..thank you!
 
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#86
The other day my daughter returned (for no particular reason except she did not use it anymore) a bag I gave her some years ago. I bought it for myself back in 2013, then felt it was a bit big for my frame. As it holds a lot, and I have added some weight I guess I could use it for the office. I have always had a sweet spot for Fendi, I guess because of Karl Lagerfeld and the fact that their crocodile bags are decent quality. I have a couple of totes that I have used as shoppers and they hold up very well. The 2 Jours bag I believe is designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi whom also designed the huge hit Peekaboo.

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#89
Also this Mauro Governa ostrich bag from 2005 (I think) came to light. I bought it in Parma where Governa is located. Not often you see a perfect full quill bag both sides unless it is Hermes. The fine thing about ostrich is that you do not have to condition the leather, it is very rich in oils. Unfortunately it at the same time very easily gets discolored from skin grease, this is why ladies who lunch wrap a twill around the handles of their Hermes ostrich bags. I guess they think about the resale price… As I have said before there are many little known bag makers making very high quality bags for 1/3 the price of luxury brands. Governa do bags both for luxury brands, small brands like Suarez New York and own label. South African manufacturer Cape Cobra used to make exotic bags both for Lambertson Truex and Tiffany. Some designs (particular a clutch) that TL still sells you could have also from Cape Cobra…, for much less.

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#90
Speaking about ladies who lunch (not ment as an insult to any ladies on this forum), the other day after a board meeting a board member told me that if I sold all my (to him probable no name) bags I could afford a Hermes Birkin! Well, his wife just got an alligator Birkin in matte Beton. Behind her back there is lots of talk about the bag not being real. Mine are real and they all serve a purpose of carrying stuff rather than being on display.
 
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