Hermes in print

[LaBoheme]

From April:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=4711077

ABC News
Briefcases go high-end for graduation gifts
By AMANDA KWAN
The Associated Press

NEW YORK

Krystal Schlegel comes from a family of Hermes fans. Her mom owns a 30-inch orange ostrich-leather Birkin, and her sister received a white one for Christmas during college. So the high school senior felt graduation would be the perfect time to get her own.

"It never goes out of style," the Dallas 18-year-old said. She's been begging since January, dropping hints whenever she and her mom see a person carrying one: "Hey Mom, look at that Birkin!"

A leather briefcase used to be the norm for a new graduate, fresh from a backyard party with bills slipped inside congratulation cards. But educational milestones have now become occasions for children to ask for an extra luxurious gift that they won't be able to afford on their own — and the humble briefcase will no longer do.

"Many women dream of a handbag collection to pass down to their daughters or granddaughters one day, and giving them one at graduation is a wonderful way to help them start their own collection," said Tina Craig, 38, who runs the purse connoisseur Web site BagSnob.com.

Schlegel said her friends are also specifying designer bags to their parents for gifts.

"They want something nice to go to college, and the sororities will look at (the handbags) too," said Schlegel, who is headed this fall to Southern Methodist University. She said her friends were looking into handbags by the French design houses Chloe and Chanel.

The Birkin — which would start at $6,300 and is still hard to find in stores — may seem a bit much for a teenager during a recession. But a bag at any price can make a perfect graduation gift for a high school graduate headed for college, or a college grad turned loose in the work force.

For luxury on a budget, consignment stores carry used bags from high-end designers. Vintage designer purses, which can cost half the price of a new version, are an affordable option.

Craig, who received a new Chanel purse and a vintage Gucci bag for high school graduation, said passing on a favorite designer bag already in a parent's collection would make the occasion even more personal. Buying an older, used handbag is also fine. "Make sure it is something she can actually use, and that it is still stylish today," she cautioned.

Bags with multiple uses, such as ones that are travel-sized or can be carried in different styles, are also good buys, especially as gifts for male graduates. Craig said that briefcases, messengers, or a hybrid of the two styles are the way to go.

"They'll be able to use it more," she said. "They can use it when they go on a job interview."

Lindsi Lane, a personal shopper at Barneys New York, has sold Tumi luggage and Tod's messenger bags to male graduates who want something suitable for careers after school. For a 21-year-old going into sports journalism, Lane suggested a Tod's messenger bag because it had an option to be carried as a briefcase.

"He felt as though he got a two-for-one deal with the purchase of this great bag," she said.

Girls who want to combine designer appeal with practicality may want a large leather bag, like the Balenciaga weekender bag, said Lane. She sold one to a 17-year-old high schooler who would be attending college out-of-state. Besides being large enough for books, the bag "will be beyond practical for her when traveling back and forth from home to school," she said.

Even on a budget, Craig advises spending a little extra for leather, which at a brand like Coach may cost only a $100 more than a cloth counterpart. "Graduation gifts are gifts you want to last for a long time. Leather will wear better than nylon or fabric," she said.

Along with the white leather Birkin for which she'll need to be placed on a waiting list, Schlegel is also asking for black Van Cleef and Arpels earrings — "the classic ones" — she explained, that cost $2,000.

She considered asking for a getaway but decided the Birkin couldn't wait until college graduation, but the trip could: "I would appreciate it more when I'm older."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures

 

[Luvbolide]

Good grief...I didn't even get a Birkin for law school graduation, much less high school!! Looks like I owe myself a few "belated" grad gifts!! (Any excuse works for me!)

 

[piaffe]

I think a vast majority have a positive perception of this wonderful forum.


One has to wonder with "People" like
Piaffe, Liness92, ltucci, mistikat, Gigi123, and H addict
posting here. These people are up to nothing but bad bad.

Piaffe reporting here for a debrief. The dog barks at midnight.

ETremain, please elaborate. What kind of "person" am I?

 

[Hermes Nuttynut]

This colorway is soooo pretty.

 

[Kallie Girl]

Hi Kallie Girl, we are actually all Canadian.

Hmmmm, that's interesting... wonder what he has against Canadians!

 

[liness92]

^^^ Hey, we're a great bunch of people. Guess he's looking for publicity for his book here. Whatever... eh!

 

[OnyxBear]

A few items from Town & Country magazine March, May and June issues.

 

[mrssparkles]

^^ Thank you Onxybear for posting!

Sounds like this actually made to production. I was told that the SS silk sari-look alikes with pants, never ever made it to commercial production because the price was just too prohibitive. Clients didn't want to pay for them. They were only made to measure, so to speak, for VVIPs who attended the show, and who ordered there and then. None would make it to the stores.

 

[archangel]

The look above is very similar to Lanvin's goddess gown collection for Spring 2008. That was very well received and I reckon most ladies bought Lanvin for the similar look

 

[lecolquitt]

A few items from Town & Country magazine March, May and June issues.

 

[Handybags]

Hermes Adds Men's-Only on Madison
Thursday, May 29, 2008
By Sharon Edelson

NEW YORK — The Hermès man and woman are going their separate ways.

Come fall 2009 and the opening of a four-level, 6,000-square-foot men's-only store at 690 Madison Avenue — the first in the world — customers of the French luxury brand will be relegated to distinct shopping venues for the appropriate sex. But couples won't have far to walk if they want to check out each other's products — the new men's store will be directly opposite the 10,600-square-foot Hermès flagship at 691 Madison Avenue.

Credit - WWD

 

[Kelly_Birkin]

I don't have the body for it, but I love that silk chiffon dress.

 

[periogirl28]

I've seen the shantung pants in store but yes, no dresses. Also been to the Chanel joaillerie salon, very cool!

 

[LaBoheme]

From the May 2008 Elle Magazine (back page 'Cherche La Femme', Ashton Kutcher interview):

"AK: ...And I learned what a Birkin bag is from the price tag. You'll never forget what it is once you've paid for one."

 

[vreelandia]

From the May 2008 Elle Magazine (back page 'Cherche La Femme', Ashton Kutcher interview):

"AK: ...And I learned what a Birkin bag is from the price tag. You'll never forget what it is once you've paid for one."