Joseph Duclos Thread

[goodatlife]

I like the proportions of the L16, for some reason it looks more balanced to me with the hardware. Having said this, the price is.. a bit out of control. I just placed a made to order bag from Delvaux for ~6K euros. I know there will be a difference in workmanship, but at these price ranges I would expect similar qualities for a leather bag.

 

[mariajesus]

Yikes!

I calculated the final costs for a Diane L26, including tax and duties, and it is $9,500! I love the bag, but unless I win Powerball — I’m out.

Champagne problems, eh?!

I live such a small life now. I wouldn’t get use value for dollar out of it. Oh, well. Please keep sharing photos! I’m living vicariously through you all!!!

Haha right? I don’t think the price would be so frustrating if it was just a reflection of the base price… what bothers me so much is that it is such a huge mark up. One of the bags I was considering is actively in stock, and imagining a bag that was made to be sold for 5700 USD now priced well over 7000 USD over the span of 24 hours feels… nah. Increasing prices on new models or increasing prices at the rate of inflation sure, but this jump soured me a little. Taking suggestions for other beautiful L20 sized bags from you lovely people who share my taste. Haha.

 

[Loganz]

Haha right? I don’t think the price would be so frustrating if it was just a reflection of the base price… what bothers me so much is that it is such a huge mark up. One of the bags I was considering is actively in stock, and imagining a bag that was made to be sold for 5700 USD now priced well over 7000 USD over the span of 24 hours feels… nah. Increasing prices on new models or increasing prices at the rate of inflation sure, but this jump soured me a little. Taking suggestions for other beautiful L20 sized bags from you lovely people who share my taste. Haha.

I keep looking at Aspinal of London, have you checked out their IG or website? I haven't bought one because I am hesitant on quality, there is a thread here about them but not a lot of photos of "in-use" bags

 

[ParisBound]

I keep looking at Aspinal of London, have you checked out their IG or website? I haven't bought one because I am hesitant on quality, there is a thread here about them but not a lot of photos of "in-use" bags

I have a couple of Aspinal of London bags. They are nice, but the quality is no where near the JD quality. Quality more like Prada or Chanel quality.

 

[Loganz]

I have a couple of Aspinal of London bags. They are nice, but the quality is no where near the JD quality. Quality more like Prada or Chanel quality.

Do you have yours photo shared on the forums anywhere? Just curious, and not to off-track the JD talk.

To circle back to JD, as long as DHL does not thwart me I can share photos of my new L20 this weekend!

 

[FatFIRE]

I like the proportions of the L16, for some reason it looks more balanced to me with the hardware. Having said this, the price is.. a bit out of control. I just placed a made to order bag from Delvaux for ~6K euros. I know there will be a difference in workmanship, but at these price ranges I would expect similar qualities for a leather bag.

There will definitely be a difference in workmanship. One is 200 years in business perfecting the leathercraft and supplying the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Belgium since XIXth century. The other is a 2-year old startup advertising themselves as heritage with freshly graduated apprentices making the bags. People should stop taking promoted content from ads and "influencers" at face value and look at things factually and realistically.

 

[goodatlife]

Oh I meant JD bag might be better made since it’s all hand stitched vs Delvaux, which I think may only be partially hand stitched?

I am a marketer by job though, so I do know pricing plays a role in product perception and positioning. I see what JD is trying to do and respect it, just the price is a bit hard to swallow.

 

[FatFIRE]

Oh I meant JD bag might be better made since it’s all hand stitched vs Delvaux, which I think may only be partially hand stitched?

I am a marketer by job though, so I do know pricing plays a role in product perception and positioning. I see what JD is trying to do and respect it, just the price is a bit hard to swallow.

That´s the thing. JD Diane is machine sewn, please see below.
Some of their other products seem to (still) be hand stitched, although based on pictures in this thread I would rather prefer machine sewing to messy stitchwork like this.

I asked the staff at the Joseph Duclos store and was told that the Diane is machine stitched except for handles and a couple of other areas. A friend who does some leatherwork confirmed that the Diane is very well made, but not entirely hand made. I have nothing against machine stitching, its the quality of the make thats important, and the fact that each bag is made by individual artisans not on industrial scale. ( I do have a Diane which I like very much).

 

[Mousy]

There will definitely be a difference in workmanship. One is 200 years in business perfecting the leathercraft and supplying the Royal Court of the Kingdom of Belgium since XIXth century. The other is a 2-year old startup advertising themselves as heritage with freshly graduated apprentices making the bags. People should stop taking promoted content from ads and "influencers" at face value and look at things factually and realistically.

200 years in business? With the help of big box luxury and their factories. Years ago, Delvaux was bought by the Sun corporation prior to being sold to Richemont, a mega-company.

Delvaux is a corporation, like Celine, Loro Piana, and more. They are not an independent atelier brand. Their bags are produced with corporate oversight. It’s funny — I couldn’t find anywhere on their website where it mentions who owns them. They didn’t even disclose their previous Sun Corporation ownership. How is that full disclosure on their website? I’m only asking because JD has been raked over the coals about their website claims.

Corporations such as Richemont and LVMH are banking on the latest luxury bag trend — small atelier/bespoke bags. These companies are hiring a few craftspeople to work on special bags. Buying from these companies is not helping the little brands.

To each their own, but I’m all about quality purchases from independent brands. It’s disingenuous and unfair to compare independent brands with corporate brands with deep pockets for advertising, retail space, workforce, access to more materials at lesser prices, and more.

I appreciate the mention of somewhat affordable alternatives to JD bags. Thank you for that. What I’m a little tired of is the harping about how JD advertises. We, or at least, I, get it. Let’s move on from that, please.

Are you in the US?
I’m not saying $7500 isn’t a lot for a bag, because it is; however, I did not have to pay any additional taxes and duties for my JD bags.

Yes. I’m based in the U.S. And I’m fortunate enough to say $7500 is a substantial amount, but not eye-bulging for a well-made bag. I can see (maybe) having one in my small collection — but I have to know I will use it to make it worth owning.

My JD purchases have always included state and county sales taxes — probably the highest in the US when combined. I know our state tax is one of the highest US state sales taxes and our county’s sales tax is the highest in the state.

Duties were added to all my purchases, too. Those two things (taxes and duties) will add roughly two thousand dollars to the Diane L26/30 purchase price, putting me off from buying one … at least for now. Powerball is worth over $520 million.

 

[bagnut1]

Duties were added to all my purchases, too. Those two things (taxes and duties) will add roughly two thousand dollars to the Diane L26/30 purchase price, putting me off from buying one … at least for now. Powerball is worth over $520 million.

A trip to Paris where one can purchase in Euros and then get a detaxe refund is my recommended approach.

 

[Loganz]

A trip to Paris where one can purchase in Euros and then get a detaxe refund is my recommended approach.

After I win the aforementioned Powerball a trip to Paris sounds divine!

 

[FatFIRE]

200 years in business? With the help of big box luxury and their factories. Years ago, Delvaux was bought by the Sun corporation prior to being sold to Richemont, a mega-company.

Delvaux is a corporation, like Celine, Loro Piana, and more. They are not an independent atelier brand. Their bags are produced with corporate oversight. It’s funny — I couldn’t find anywhere on their website where it mentions who owns them. They didn’t even disclose their previous Sun Corporation ownership. How is that full disclosure on their website? I’m only asking because JD has been raked over the coals about their website claims.

Corporations such as Richemont and LVMH are banking on the latest luxury bag trend — small atelier/bespoke bags. These companies are hiring a few craftspeople to work on special bags. Buying from these companies is not helping the little brands.

To each their own, but I’m all about quality purchases from independent brands. It’s disingenuous and unfair to compare independent brands with corporate brands with deep pockets for advertising, retail space, workforce, access to more materials at lesser prices, and more.

I appreciate the mention of somewhat affordable alternatives to JD bags. Thank you for that. What I’m a little tired of is the harping about how JD advertises. We, or at least, I, get it. Let’s move on from that, please.

Out of all "Corporations" Richemont is by far the one I have the least questions to, quite frankly. Their entire portfolio is also pretty close to that under-the-radar "quiet luxury" perfection, especially the watch brands. I couldn´t find anything on Sun Corporation ownership of Delvaux either (anywhere). Where is this information coming from?

Also I don´t really get the "independent" brand argument with reference to JD. Independent from what exactly?
It´s not an artisanal brand created by an artist with passion for creation. No, it was created by an investment banker who even outsourced bag design concepts to a PR agency. It now raised more capital, is now owned by multiple investors and is on track to expand to Asia and Middle East countries. Ramesh is not independent, he is a hired employee and entirely dependent on what the "Corporation" decides and how long they let him be there.
I don´t see any difference in this regard, JD is just a smaller scale corporation driven by profits and aggressive market expansion abroad (their legal entity is literally called simplified corporation in French).

 

[Mousy]

Out of all "Corporations" Richemont is by far the one I have the least questions to, quite frankly. Their entire portfolio is also pretty close to that under-the-radar "quiet luxury" perfection, especially the watch brands. I couldn´t find anything on Sun Corporation ownership of Delvaux either (anywhere). Where is this information coming from?

Also I don´t really get the "independent" brand argument with reference to JD. Independent from what exactly?
It´s not an artisanal brand created by an artist with passion for creation. No, it was created by an investment banker who even outsourced bag design concepts to a PR agency. It now raised more capital, is now owned by multiple investors and is on track to expand to Asia and Middle East countries. Ramesh is not independent, he is a hired employee and entirely dependent on what the "Corporation" decides and how long they let him be there.
I don´t see any difference in this regard, JD is just a smaller scale corporation driven by profits and aggressive market expansion abroad (their legal entity is literally called simplified corporation in French).

The Fung Group took controlling interest of Delvaux years ago, before Richemont. To all readers, please excuse my earlier Sun (not Fung) gaffe.

As for small corp v. big corp. — I think there is a difference. More creative freedom. Personal contact with craftspeople. Hands-on directors. You disagree. I get it. I’m telling you my viewpoint.

What I mean by independent is a company not tied to a dozen umbrellaed brands. That’s JD. That’s H. That used to be MOYNAT.

I never brought up Ramesh. I never brought him up as independent. I have no idea, nor do I need to know, where the mention of him is coming from

Now it’s time to go find joy and light in my day.

Enjoy your’s.

 

[FatFIRE]

The Fung Group took controlling interest of Delvaux years ago, before Richemont. To all readers, please excuse my earlier Sun (not Fung) gaffe.

As for small corp v. big corp. — I think there is a difference. More creative freedom. Personal contact with craftspeople. Hands-on directors. You disagree. I get it. I’m telling you my viewpoint.

What I mean by independent is a company not tied to a dozen umbrellaed brands. That’s JD. That’s H. That used to be MOYNAT.

I never brought up Ramesh. I never brought him up as independent. I have no idea, nor do I need to know, where the mention of him is coming from

Now it’s time to go find joy and light in my day.

Enjoy your’s.

From my experience in both mid-size family run businesses and in huge corporations, corporations very often have higher integrity standards. They do invest a lot in compliance and ethics (realizing the marketing benefits and aiming to minimize financial and/or legal consequences, so of course it´s also profit driven). Family businesses are great, the problem is they are hereditary (like monarchies). If the next "king" in line is good, everything´s perfect, if the successor is dumb, incompetent or ruthless or all at once, no one can help, the whole company will have to play along. It´s not all fun and cozy, when the company is smaller.

But JD is a project by an investment banker. It´s the investment banker who is here independent and free to do whatever he wants. My point was what value does it bring to the table, so that you appreciate his "independence" so much?

 

[Mousy]

From my experience in both mid-size family run businesses and in huge corporations, corporations very often have higher integrity standards. They do invest a lot in compliance and ethics (realizing the marketing benefits and aiming to minimize financial and/or legal consequences, so of course it´s also profit driven). Family businesses are great, the problem is they are hereditary (like monarchies). If the next "king" in line is good, everything´s perfect, if the successor is dumb, incompetent or ruthless or all at once, no one can help, the whole company will have to play along. It´s not all fun and cozy, when the company is smaller.

But JD is a project by an investment banker. It´s the investment banker who is here independent and free to do whatever he wants. My point was what value does it bring to the table, so that you appreciate his "independence" so much?

His money.

Today, I’m enjoying JD thanks to him.