Dear Tracey,
Thank you for these words. I had seen your gorgeous bags and my question had been about your favourite bags, and you answered it. I have all that crap ( you call it) as well but Delvaux will be definitely my next bag.
I could write a mini dissertation on each of those brands, and at the end, why I would not choose them as my mainstay. BUT I also can't seem to disengage from them either!!
Hermes - love the birkin, really dislike the kelly, and everything else to me seems dowdy and plain. Pretty mass produced, losing (I think) some quality and exclusivity at this point with so many ppl flipping bags they're offered. With their beauty launch, it will be interesting to see where the company goes. Fragrances are great.
Chanel - it's Chanel, and I love Chanel. But I find the clothes and shoes to be a snoozefest, the jewelry to be a colossal joke, and the quality average (unless you get into the 10k range for special limited items). Company couldn't care less about its customers and sees customers that buy accessories as sh** (multiple SA tell me this, they don't themselves agree, but it's how the company sees those that just buy bags and shoes etc). Most collections are groundhog day or kitsch. But when they score, they SCORE. Also Karl is gone, company is taking back everything (no leased), they treat their employees pretty badly, good luck if you have an issue, etc. I loved 19a though. LOVED. 19b is back to boring. Might be yet another price increase this year, which I would not mind except the quality and innovation doesn't justify it, quite the opposite. No more exotics, not the biggest fan of a stamped croc Chanel either. Too many bags are fabric lined which is a pet peeve for $$ bags.
Dior - don't like the book tote or the saddle bag. But I am not a millennial and my time as the target market for a trendy brand passed about 15 years ago as I am now old. BUT their CS and lady dior colors and incarnations of them are beyond amazing. MGC straddles innovative and classic very well, but her footing is a little shaky b/c so many bag styles are one season wonders before disappearing. Straps are beautiful but expensive for fabric and too short.
LV - great everyday bags, quality on all higher end leather items is amazing, SLGs to me are the best and most innovative. Shoes and RTW top the others IMHO. CS has been amazing - instant refunds for defective items, no pushback. Lots of collections that are just WEIRD and infantile. Too many seasons with RED, PINK, BLACK, and NAVY. But when they get something right, it's RIGHT. SO, lots of good and bad here. The patches and cartoons NEED. TO. GO. Fragrances are awesome, and I love the shawls and bandeaux!
I have NOTHING negative to say about Delvaux, and it scratches the itches of items that are: innovative, edgy, classic, unique, superlative quality, surprising and fun. For me, you simply cannot go wrong with any of it. And, their SA's are the very best.
More than you wanted, and just a touch on an explanation. Hope that helps!!