Joseph Duclos Thread

[Mousy]

The delivery box was so large my daughter thought I bought a handbag.
I received the charm. It’s pristine. Not a scratch or fingerprint. Any close-up markings you see are fabric fibers. It’s beautiful.
The parcel included a ribboned JD box with a dust bagged charm, a tiny dust bag of perfume samples, a JD history pamphlet/product catalog, and a kind handwritten card.

 

[bagnut1]

The delivery box was so large my daughter thought I bought a handbag.
I received the charm. It’s pristine. Not a scratch or fingerprint. Any close-up markings you see are fabric fibers. It’s beautiful.
The parcel included a ribboned JD box with a dust bagged charm, a tiny dust bag of perfume samples, a JD history pamphlet/product catalog, and a kind handwritten card.
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Lovely! Please share modeling photos when your charm goes out for a spin.

 

[Mousy]

Lovely! Please share modeling photos when your charm goes out for a spin.

It’ll be a little while — I’m waiting to wear it on a Lectoure tote (before or after a Fontélie). I bought the charm first, for seeing it daily will keep my eyes on the prize.

 

[allanrvj]

True enough they had a price increase. Saint-Clair increased by 300 eur. I'm sure other bag prices increased as well.

EDIT: must be a mistake on the Shopify conversion coz I looked at the French website and the price is still the same.

 

[Cool Breeze]

The delivery box was so large my daughter thought I bought a handbag.
I received the charm. It’s pristine. Not a scratch or fingerprint. Any close-up markings you see are fabric fibers. It’s beautiful.
The parcel included a ribboned JD box with a dust bagged charm, a tiny dust bag of perfume samples, a JD history pamphlet/product catalog, and a kind handwritten card.
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Very cool charm! Love the fact they threw in the perfume sample and more importantly, a hand written note

 

[Honeymoon]

These bags are lovely, but I’m really put off by the name and the whole 1754 thing. It feels fraudulent to me. I’m going to Paris this fall and look forward to checking out the store and seeing the bags in person, though.

 

[bagnut1]

These bags are lovely, but I’m really put off by the name and the whole 1754 thing. It feels fraudulent to me. I’m going to Paris this fall and look forward to checking out the store and seeing the bags in person, though.

IMO it's no more "fraudulent" than any of the houses that bear the name of their designer-founders yet are now owned and run by conglomerates with a revolving door of creative directors. (See - any LVMH company.)

Yes, it's a manufactured contemporary connection to a real past. But no different than any of the 600 LV non-Speedy/Alma bags made in factories (many not even in France). At least JD bags are designed and made in France, by hand, by French artisans.

 

[Honeymoon]

IMO it's no more "fraudulent" than any of the houses that bear the name of their designer-founders yet are now owned and run by conglomerates with a revolving door of creative directors. (See - any LVMH company.)

Yes, it's a manufactured contemporary connection to a real past. But no different than any of the 600 LV non-Speedy/Alma bags made in factories (many not even in France). At least JD bags are designed and made in France, by hand, by French artisans.

A continuously operating brand that changes over time is different to me than basically making up a history. JD reminds me of Shinola in that way. It’s off-putting to me. If it said established 2021 it would feel so much more authentic.

 

[trunkdevil]

A continuously operating brand that changes over time is different to me than basically making up a history. JD reminds me of Shinola in that way. It’s off-putting to me. If it said established 2021 it would feel so much more authentic.

What history did they make up? The heritage is real and they are transparent about it. A simple google search pulls up most relevant information.

 

[Honeymoon]

What history did they make up? The heritage is real and they are transparent about it. A simple google search pulls up most relevant information.

Call me crazy, but when it says “1754” right under the brand name on top of the site and the heritage section, it seems like they are trying to imply some actual connection to this man who lived hundreds of years ago. It’s a little odd I had to google search to find out the brand really started in 2021. Maybe I’m the only one it rubs the wrong way.

 

[bagnut1]

Call me crazy, but when it says “1754” right under the brand name on top of the site and the heritage section, it seems like they are trying to imply some actual connection to this man who lived hundreds of years ago. It’s a little odd I had to google search to find out the brand really started in 2021. Maybe I’m the only one it rubs the wrong way.

The Royal Manufacture

Our story begins in 1754, when King Louis XV signed the Letters Patent in Versailles that would lead to the creation of the Royal Leather Manufacture. It gathered the best craftsmen in France, handling this fine material with an expertise that remains unequalled in Europe.

josephduclos.com

Generally speaking we are here on this thread because we're fans.

 

[Deneuveness]

These bags are lovely, but I’m really put off by the name and the whole 1754 thing. It feels fraudulent to me. I’m going to Paris this fall and look forward to checking out the store and seeing the bags in person, though.

Mark Cross and Moynat are two others to come to mind who do the exact same thing (I'm sure there are more). It doesn't bother me personally, but I understand what you're saying.

 

[trunkdevil]

Call me crazy, but when it says “1754” right under the brand name on top of the site and the heritage section, it seems like they are trying to imply some actual connection to this man who lived hundreds of years ago. It’s a little odd I had to google search to find out the brand really started in 2021. Maybe I’m the only one it rubs the wrong way.

Well yes there is an actual connection to Joseph Duclos. That’s where Ramesh gets a lot of his inspiration- the hardware, leather tannery heritage, brand logo/motif plus all of the bag names are tied to the brand’s past. It’s all connected with JD’s history. I don’t think it’s any deeper than this and not sure why it would be considered a negative

 

[_Moravia_]

Extremely impressed with the craftsmanship. The Diane clasp is surprisingly easy to use.. kinda satisfying to unlock/lock it lol. I think the next few bags I purchase will be from JD between the product quality and customer service they’re wonderful.

I know people find the Diane style to be formal looking but the black/PHW gives me vampire-gothic vibes My style is casual and so far the bag is working well for me.

My Diane L20 noir in different lighting. Did I mention how much I love this leather!?
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It's interesting how different perception can be. I have been interested in the Diane bag precisely because I see it and would use it as a more casual bag. I find the clasp and the metal hardware surrounding the outside of the bag detracts from it being overly formal in appearance and, @trunkdevil, the size, colour and hardware combination of yours does give it a great casual, edgy yet elegant vibe. It's all in how one styles it I find.

 

[bagnut1]

Well yes there is an actual connection to Joseph Duclos. That’s where Ramesh gets a lot of his inspiration- the hardware, leather tannery heritage, brand logo/motif plus all of the bag names are tied to the brand’s past. It’s all connected with JD’s history. I don’t think it’s any deeper than this and not sure why it would be considered a negative

+1! What he did at Moynat was to make a connection between a deep archive at a defunct brand, bringing it into the 21st century with a relevant connection and ethos.

In some ways what he's done at JD is even more difficult (and impressive IMO) - no primary design archive, only historic methods and secondary functional reference points.

In both cases he's applied his fantastic eye for design details, incredible knowledge of and involvement in the tanning process (especially important at JD), artisanship in leather goods, and his jewelry-level expertise at creating hardware.

I'm really not clear what there is to find fault with, but if one does it's as simple as looking elsewhere.