Joseph Duclos Thread

[Loganz]

I've been reading all these posts and at the core this is a convo about provenance. The assertion that the brands relaunch in 2021 is being advertised/marketed as a "heritage brand". However, you can't claim heritage if you've only been producing leather goods for a few years.
Ramesh is not the owner, he, like any creative director could leave, get poached to work elsewhere, or retire. Then if this happens what becomes of Joseph Duclos the brand?

I think this is also a converation about price points. I own a Diane L26 I purchased it new from JD and paid full price. TBH I assumed (falsely) the brand had a more robust history, do I genuinely LIKE the bag, YES! Knowing what I do now do I think they can command $6k price points for this bag, well I am not sure? How many hours did it take the artisans to make my bag and will it stand the test of time like other bags in this price range? Only time will tell, but, I do think their marketing efforts are effective - they capitalized on the quiet luxury movement and priced their bags to slot into that consumer's comfort zone.

just my .02

 

[Christofle]

I've been reading all these posts and at the core this is a convo about provenance. The assertion that the brands relaunch in 2021 is being advertised/marketed as a "heritage brand". However, you can't claim heritage if you've only been producing leather goods for a few years.
Ramesh is not the owner, he, like any creative director could leave, get poached to work elsewhere, or retire. Then if this happens what becomes of Joseph Duclos the brand?

I think this is also a converation about price points. I own a Diane L26 I purchased it new from JD and paid full price. TBH I assumed (falsely) the brand had a more robust history, do I genuinely LIKE the bag, YES! Knowing what I do now do I think they can command $6k price points for this bag, well I am not sure? How many hours did it take the artisans to make my bag and will it stand the test of time like other bags in this price range? Only time will tell, but, I do think their marketing efforts are effective - they capitalized on the quiet luxury movement and priced their bags to slot into that consumer's comfort zone.

just my .02

As for history, you are one hundred percent right and I hate the egregious false history of luxe brands but I’m so used to it from the watch collecting world that I’ve become numb to what I perceive as an industry norm of lies.

Ramesh is part owner this time re:investment so hopefully that won’t be the case.

 

[Loganz]

As for history, you are one hundred percent right and I hate the egregious false history of luxe brands but I’m so used to it from the watch collecting world that I’ve become numb to what I perceive as an industry norm of lies.

Ramesh is part owner this time re:investment so hopefully that won’t be the case.

I am glad Ramesh has incentive to see the brand grow into a heritage brand.
I do think they will need to broaden the product range and not just with special release exotics. The color palette could be more exciting and their insistence on not using Harmonie leather on the L26 just seems odd and makes me wonder how good the artisans are if they can't use 6 cm more leather on the same profile bag.

 

[allanrvj]

3) locating and training artisans (in the case of Duclos perhaps these were already Ramesh-trained folks from Moynat)

Not only from Moynat. Some JD artisans are experienced Birkin and Kelly makers from Hermès, as I have posted some pages ago

 

[goodatlife]

Did anyone purchase the Saint-Clair Mini Clutch Bag? Very interested and would love to hear reviews and especially understand how much fits in it. Any modeling pics would be wonderful!

 

[allanrvj]

Did anyone purchase the Saint-Clair Mini Clutch Bag? Very interested and would love to hear reviews and especially understand how much fits in it. Any modeling pics would be wonderful!

@Purseperson420 did. Here’s her reveal:

After chasing down DHL she’s finally here!! I just can’t get over the smell and feel of the leather, the stitching, and the immaculate hardware. It is so comfortable to hold and wear and I love the thickness of the strap. It fits all I need (pictured plus lipstick/phone/keys can be squeezed) and I can’t wait to take it out. Bummed that customs opened it before I did and the ribbon was off etc. also I noticed a few faint marks on the inner body and under flap- not sure if it was customs or from the glazing process or sth… I tried to rub off gently with my finger but it’s not moving. I emailed about it to see what I should do to rub it out if possible. But honestly they are so faint and unnoticeable I don’t really want to send it back to replace. Would love to see more additions to the st Clair line

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[Mousy]

I've been reading all these posts and at the core this is a convo about provenance. The assertion that the brands relaunch in 2021 is being advertised/marketed as a "heritage brand". However, you can't claim heritage if you've only been producing leather goods for a few years.
Ramesh is not the owner, he, like any creative director could leave, get poached to work elsewhere, or retire. Then if this happens what becomes of Joseph Duclos the brand?

I think this is also a converation about price points. I own a Diane L26 I purchased it new from JD and paid full price. TBH I assumed (falsely) the brand had a more robust history, do I genuinely LIKE the bag, YES! Knowing what I do now do I think they can command $6k price points for this bag, well I am not sure? How many hours did it take the artisans to make my bag and will it stand the test of time like other bags in this price range? Only time will tell, but, I do think their marketing efforts are effective - they capitalized on the quiet luxury movement and priced their bags to slot into that consumer's comfort zone.

just my .02

I get where you’re coming from.
Some artisans are from Ramesh’s Hermès days.
The bags are stitched (needle and thread). They’re pricey to make.
I think JD is about bespoke luxury, and with that, no one gets the safety net of resale ability and ties to a big box brand. If bespoke bags are not a person’s thing, don’t buy brands like JD.
I’ve been so conservative with my $$$$ and choices lately, but I want one Diane.

 

[ParisBound]

I get where you’re coming from.
Some artisans are from Ramesh’s Hermès days.
The bags are stitched (needle and thread). They’re pricey to make.
I think JD is about bespoke luxury, and with that, no one gets the safety net of resale ability and ties to a big box brand. If bespoke bags are not a person’s thing, don’t buy brands like JD.
I’ve been so conservative with my $$$$ and choices lately, but I want one Diane.

You are so right about JD and the lack of resale ability. I checked eBay and a couple of other google locations and nothing showed up for pre-loved JD bags. Makes me love them just a little bit more.

 

[Loganz]

I get where you’re coming from.
Some artisans are from Ramesh’s Hermès days.
The bags are stitched (needle and thread). They’re pricey to make.
I think JD is about bespoke luxury, and with that, no one gets the safety net of resale ability and ties to a big box brand. If bespoke bags are not a person’s thing, don’t buy brands like JD.
I’ve been so conservative with my $$$$ and choices lately, but I want one Diane.

I do not have any regret with my Diane. In fact I’d fancy another if the wait wasn’t so terribly long!

 

[Mousy]

I do not have any regret with my Diane. In fact I’d fancy another if the wait wasn’t so terribly long!

Yes. For specific colors, the wait is up to four months.
It’s like the old saying says, “No one wants to eat in an empty restaurant.”
JD must be doing something right.
Your black Diane photos helped convince me to go for it.

Two things I appreciate — no sales or clearances on less popular items and no mass production. I love the smaller footprint.

 

[allanrvj]

What I appreciate about JD is the focus on luxury, craftsmanship, and customer service.

I'm a bag lover. Beautiful and well-crafted bags excite me. I shouldn't have to think about quotas, allocations, lotteries, pre-spend, maintaining a relationship with an SA, etc etc. I shouldn't wait for months to be able to talk to someone who will put my name on a waitlist. I shouldn't be required to "love the brand" or "appreciate the Maison" (ew! people should really listen to what they are saying) by buying other stuff first to be able to buy a bag that I like.

"Only buy what you love." But what if I only love bags?

Excluding out of stock or limited-release items, I should be able to buy a bag from the store when I want to buy a bag. Period.

 

[crocodilemonkey]

I get where you’re coming from.
Some artisans are from Ramesh’s Hermès days.
The bags are stitched (needle and thread). They’re pricey to make.
I think JD is about bespoke luxury, and with that, no one gets the safety net of resale ability and ties to a big box brand. If bespoke bags are not a person’s thing, don’t buy brands like JD.
I’ve been so conservative with my $$$$ and choices lately, but I want one Diane.

I agree 100% !!
I’m not into dissecting every aspect of the branding and probing to see how old it is, in fact I find the battles of « fondée en (fill in your date) » a little silly. What matters is what they’re doing with the brand today, do I like the design& the quality. Does it speak to me and do I enjoy using, carrying, looking at my bag every day. I dont need a bag to be an investment for the future, for that we have bonds & shares lol.
Ramesh uses the back story of the brand (Moynat or Duclos) as a spring board for his creativity, and as long as he’s there I can trust that quality standards will be maintained. Plus I really enjoy his designs and how he brings in something different to the table. Thats really all !

 

[crocodilemonkey]

What I appreciate about JD is the focus on luxury, craftsmanship, and customer service.

I'm a bag lover. Beautiful and well-crafted bags excite me. I shouldn't have to think about quotas, allocations, lotteries, pre-spend, maintaining a relationship with an SA, etc etc. I shouldn't wait for months to be able to talk to someone who will put my name on a waitlist. I shouldn't be required to "love the brand" or "appreciate the Maison" (ew! people should really listen to what they are saying) by buying other stuff first to be able to buy a bag that I like.

"Only buy what you love." But what if I only love bags?

Excluding out of stock or limited-release items, I should be able to buy a bag from the store when I want to buy a bag. Period.

Perfect !
i dont want to bribe my way into a brand’s good graces to be deemed « worthy »of possessing one of their bags. I dont need to invest in a bag & watch the resale value climb, I want to use, enjoy, appreciate my bag now.
And like ParisBound said, the lack of Duclos bags on the 2nd hand market actually reassures me. I dont care if half the world isnt lining up for a Duclos bag, in fact it makes me feel more special.

 

[LavenderIce]

What I appreciate about JD is the focus on luxury, craftsmanship, and customer service.

I'm a bag lover. Beautiful and well-crafted bags excite me. I shouldn't have to think about quotas, allocations, lotteries, pre-spend, maintaining a relationship with an SA, etc etc. I shouldn't wait for months to be able to talk to someone who will put my name on a waitlist. I shouldn't be required to "love the brand" or "appreciate the Maison" (ew! people should really listen to what they are saying) by buying other stuff first to be able to buy a bag that I like.

"Only buy what you love." But what if I only love bags?

Excluding out of stock or limited-release items, I should be able to buy a bag from the store when I want to buy a bag. Period.

All of this. Say it louder for the people in the back.

 

[goodatlife]

Hello, between Heritage and Harmonie leather - which do you think will be less prone to scratches?