Very well said and very true, thank you luxurista.
I will keep this close in mind, especially the points tutushopper bolded.
My professor told me Chanel bags are all made in China but assembled in Europe?
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Very well said and very true, thank you luxurista.
I will keep this close in mind, especially the points tutushopper bolded.
Ok a couple of comments...
First, I visited my first Dior store earlier this year and was completely mesmerized by the SA 's and the product. Unfortunately the ladies store was not open yet - just the men's , so I got to watch my DH have a good time. The SA's were so refreshing explaining how Dior gets their leather - tpfers I won't go into detail, but you can probably google it - the world is eating less meat as a whole so Dior is raising their own animals, which receive massages etc - which increase the softness and luxuriousness of their leathers. It's a fascinating story..
2nd the marketing is what makes any brand, but especially Chanel . Now if Chanel were a public company we might have a shot at determining what is spent on each component - the all in cost of a bag. Also unfortunately something tells me we wouldn't like that end #, especially since quality is declining. Back to quality - one of my family members who routinely buys Chanel recently visited Florence Italy and to my surprise she bought 0 Chanel while in Italy. She said the craftsmanship of the bags sold in Florence surpassed Chanel and others at a fraction of the price . The bags she purchased for around 800 euros or 1100 USD were SPECTACULAR. So back to the topic - we have all bought into the branding and until we decide to make a change it will continue.
It's sad really. Aspiration brands should be aspirational!
First, I visited my first Dior store earlier this year and was completely mesmerized by the SA 's and the product. Unfortunately the ladies store was not open yet - just the men's , so I got to watch my DH have a good time. The SA's were so refreshing explaining how Dior gets their leather - tpfers I won't go into detail, but you can probably google it - the world is eating less meat as a whole so Dior is raising their own animals, which receive massages etc - which increase the softness and luxuriousness of their leathers. It's a fascinating story..
2nd the marketing is what makes any brand, but especially Chanel . Now if Chanel were a public company we might have a shot at determining what is spent on each component - the all in cost of a bag. Also unfortunately something tells me we wouldn't like that end #, especially since quality is declining. Back to quality - one of my family members who routinely buys Chanel recently visited Florence Italy and to my surprise she bought 0 Chanel while in Italy. She said the craftsmanship of the bags sold in Florence surpassed Chanel and others at a fraction of the price . The bags she purchased for around 800 euros or 1100 USD were SPECTACULAR. So back to the topic - we have all bought into the branding and until we decide to make a change it will continue.
It's sad really. Aspiration brands should be aspirational!
I'm with you on this - you make me feel comforted somehow..... shifting gears now
+1 and so well said Tutu!!!!
Oh, my. Here I was feeling badly because I couldn't afford a Boy bag. I'll stick with companies who don't lie to customers or rake them over the coals with their hilariously inflated, pompous attitudes and prices. Better yet, I'll save my money...and head to Dior again when I want to splurge.
I'm glad a few valid points were sifted from my mini tirade. I thought I may have sounded just a wee bit... enraged. 
LOL ... but it means a lot to know that there are others who understand where I'm coming from, so I really appreciate the support system here 
Just a quick little sub-contribution:
After doing a few searches on here, I inadvertently stumbled upon an older thread in the LV forum about a member who was scared of potentially being banned from purchasing at Louis Vuitton due to [what she deemed as] an excessive amount of returns during an indecisive phase. Intrigued, I did a little digging and apparently getting banned, or rather "blacklisted" is a real thing with certain designer houses; customers who are flagged for committing infractions are essentially sent a permanent dunce hat in the form of a certified letter stating that they are no longer allowed to spend thousands of dollars in the magical, stratospheric, grandeur realm of Greed. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I think I produced a little of both.
And if you're wondering what 'infractions' I'm referring to, supposedly you can get flagged down in their system for any of the following (although don't quote me on this): a big no-no, like asking for a box for your beautifully, yet-to-be-discovered-shoddy coveted, new hodgepodge-holder, browsing, disagreeing with any of the Gatekeepers, aka SAs, who apparently have fragments of the Hubble telescope implanted in their effing retinas so they can see waaaay down here on earth and spot the atomic-sized pions of lint that deem an UNWORN return unsaleable, browsing, not being a Kardashian, voicing ANY concern or accusation about the ill construction of your new, trendy hodgepodge-holder that may cause offensiveness to the incessant cigarette-break-taking Lords and Damsels who run the Quality Control mill, browsing, not paying your bi-yearly dues to stay in the mystical land of inflation where coated canvas is now plated with invisible 24 karat gold, and lastly, because it's waaaay past my bedtime (did I mention browsing?), if you realize that in the end, you'd be better off taking that $3500 and planning your daughters first trip to Disney World, building preciously invaluable memories, than making a skeletal investment into a glorified hodgepodge holder, then it would be the most dignified way to get blacklisted.
So I'll take it
Just thought the blacklisted thing was another sub-topic of importance here. Obviously I exaggerated a wee bit, but only for the sheer reason that it's past 3 AM here and I'm funny-tired. What it comes down to is that some of these designer houses are getting too big for their britches. It's time - for me, anyway, - to look elsewhere. I like Tutu's idea of visiting other forums, like the jewelry forum, to get away from the intrinsic enabling and temptation.
LOL ... but it means a lot to know that there are others who understand where I'm coming from, so I really appreciate the support system here Just a quick little sub-contribution:
After doing a few searches on here, I inadvertently stumbled upon an older thread in the LV forum about a member who was scared of potentially being banned from purchasing at Louis Vuitton due to [what she deemed as] an excessive amount of returns during an indecisive phase. Intrigued, I did a little digging and apparently getting banned, or rather "blacklisted" is a real thing with certain designer houses; customers who are flagged for committing infractions are essentially sent a permanent dunce hat in the form of a certified letter stating that they are no longer allowed to spend thousands of dollars in the magical, stratospheric, grandeur realm of Greed. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I think I produced a little of both.
And if you're wondering what 'infractions' I'm referring to, supposedly you can get flagged down in their system for any of the following (although don't quote me on this): a big no-no, like asking for a box for your beautifully, yet-to-be-discovered-shoddy coveted, new hodgepodge-holder, browsing, disagreeing with any of the Gatekeepers, aka SAs, who apparently have fragments of the Hubble telescope implanted in their effing retinas so they can see waaaay down here on earth and spot the atomic-sized pions of lint that deem an UNWORN return unsaleable, browsing, not being a Kardashian, voicing ANY concern or accusation about the ill construction of your new, trendy hodgepodge-holder that may cause offensiveness to the incessant cigarette-break-taking Lords and Damsels who run the Quality Control mill, browsing, not paying your bi-yearly dues to stay in the mystical land of inflation where coated canvas is now plated with invisible 24 karat gold, and lastly, because it's waaaay past my bedtime (did I mention browsing?), if you realize that in the end, you'd be better off taking that $3500 and planning your daughters first trip to Disney World, building preciously invaluable memories, than making a skeletal investment into a glorified hodgepodge holder, then it would be the most dignified way to get blacklisted.
So I'll take it
Just thought the blacklisted thing was another sub-topic of importance here. Obviously I exaggerated a wee bit, but only for the sheer reason that it's past 3 AM here and I'm funny-tired. What it comes down to is that some of these designer houses are getting too big for their britches. It's time - for me, anyway, - to look elsewhere. I like Tutu's idea of visiting other forums, like the jewelry forum, to get away from the intrinsic enabling and temptation.
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No, I'm not angry - I promise! More like overly irked with a hint of resentment.
And don't EVER feel badly about not being able to afford a fancy hodgepodge-holder
I'm wondering about Dior now. I'm hearing a lot of good things about the House.
Luxurista,I cannot thank you enough for sharing these very honest and very valid feelings and points on this topic! I have found over the past few months, that my Chanel purchases have actually caused me much more stress and anxiety than bliss. I love my collection, but I am at the end of my rope. I even returned two Chanels this past month to fund a certain "dream" bracelet of mine. I have always said that if I had to make the choice I would trade in all my Chanels to keep some really sentimental jewelry pieces that have brought me much happiness such as my LOVE and JUC Cartier bracelets after my children were born. I feel extremely blessed to have the Chanel and bag collection that I do, but the price increases, lack of quality, competitiveness, snooty SAs have dulled my excitement for these beautiful and iconic bags. This thread was kind of the icing on the cake for me.
I'm glad a few valid points were sifted from my mini tirade. I thought I may have sounded just a wee bit... enraged.
Just a quick little sub-contribution:
After doing a few searches on here, I inadvertently stumbled upon an older thread in the LV forum about a member who was scared of potentially being banned from purchasing at Louis Vuitton due to [what she deemed as] an excessive amount of returns during an indecisive phase. Intrigued, I did a little digging and apparently getting banned, or rather "blacklisted" is a real thing with certain designer houses; customers who are flagged for committing infractions are essentially sent a permanent dunce hat in the form of a certified letter stating that they are no longer allowed to spend thousands of dollars in the magical, stratospheric, grandeur realm of Greed. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
I think I produced a little of both.
And if you're wondering what 'infractions' I'm referring to, supposedly you can get flagged down in their system for any of the following (although don't quote me on this): a big no-no, like asking for a box for your beautifully, yet-to-be-discovered-shoddy coveted, new hodgepodge-holder, browsing, disagreeing with any of the Gatekeepers, aka SAs, who apparently have fragments of the Hubble telescope implanted in their effing retinas so they can see waaaay down here on earth and spot the atomic-sized pions of lint that deem an UNWORN return unsaleable, browsing, not being a Kardashian, voicing ANY concern or accusation about the ill construction of your new, trendy hodgepodge-holder that may cause offensiveness to the incessant cigarette-break-taking Lords and Damsels who run the Quality Control mill, browsing, not paying your bi-yearly dues to stay in the mystical land of inflation where coated canvas is now plated with invisible 24 karat gold, and lastly, because it's waaaay past my bedtime (did I mention browsing?), if you realize that in the end, you'd be better off taking that $3500 and planning your daughters first trip to Disney World, building preciously invaluable memories, than making a skeletal investment into a glorified hodgepodge holder, then it would be the most dignified way to get blacklisted.
So I'll take it
Just thought the blacklisted thing was another sub-topic of importance here. Obviously I exaggerated a wee bit, but only for the sheer reason that it's past 3 AM here and I'm funny-tired. What it comes down to is that some of these designer houses are getting too big for their britches. It's time - for me, anyway, - to look elsewhere. I like Tutu's idea of visiting other forums, like the jewelry forum, to get away from the intrinsic enabling and temptation.
Luxurista, I totally agree with you. I am happy to realize I am not the only one to react that way. You express your views wonderfully. English is not my mother tongue unfortunately. I would not have been able to write such great posts! But... from beginning to end, I am with you!
Very well said indeed. My husband tells me the same thing and I get upset because I feel he is attacking my taste somehow but thank God for his voice of reason. The princess has awoken from her deep slumber and delusion but I'm afraid it's a little too lateI am angry at myself but if we didn't have the extra disposable income, we would have been quite happy with quality over name.
Not to beat myself up too much, I was brought up to save and buy the best but that was in a day when there was no outsourcing. Times have changed but we can also elicit change and stop buying into the designer bag crap.
I long for the day I can stroll the streets of Florence and see the artisans hard at work over their craft and I can pick up a good leather/jewellery item from them.
very well said posts. these did it for me and the timing is right coz i was just about to splurge on a boy bag for my upcoming birthday. thank you! my eyes are wide open now. i was really upset in the beginning of this thread. don't get me wrong, i am still upset now but it is like being freed from a spell
i am thankful that i have the chanel bags that i have. i will continue to enjoy them but i will now channel my funds towards a one year world tour. i am happy that i can focus now with no distractions 
Dior is headed by Bernard Arnault who is also Chairman for LVMH. Dior is publically traded in Euronext as CDI. I still do not think Dior is exempted from the same issues that plague LV. It is managed by the same person.
This would bother me more than the 'made in XX' stamped on a bag. I would like to think that animal skins used in luxury items come from animals that were raised to feed people in first place. I particularly don't like the idea of raising animals only with the purpose of retrieving their skin ...
No, I'm not angry - I promise! More like overly irked with a hint of resentment.
And don't EVER feel badly about not being able to afford a fancy hodgepodge-holder
I'm wondering about Dior now. I'm hearing a lot of good things about the House.
Dior is FANTASTIC!!! I love, love, love Dior...everything about it. I've actually made friends and gone out with the people who work there; they are so nice, it's ridiculous!
This.
I am not sure that any handbag manufacturers except for maybe smaller / hyper local / eco-conscious / newer designers who haven't yet scaled their businesses can claim to make their purses completely in-country
Especially Dior which is also publicly traded, has to answer to shareholders, run by the same managers who are extremely successful in running efficient fashion businesses, and is within its legal right to run its supply chain the same as Chanel, LVMH, etc and affix a "made in (whatever EU country)" label
Shop with your eyes wide open!