Ramesh Nair’s Designs

[bagnut1]

Exactly. I feel like he needs to offer more options than the Dream Bag. In my head, the Dream Bag is analogous to the Birkin and so he needs something that is sort of an alternative to the Kelly. Something that's less casual and more feminine, and could transition to an evening bag for smaller models.

But then again, he's young, so maybe there's more coming.

He has the Newley but you’re right, a non-tote less workaday model would be nice to offer. I do admire that he is all about classic design and craftsmanship, and being a leader/educator in that area rather than chasing trends or trying to cater to the whims of the fashion market.

Also I think it’s inherently a different thing when one’s own name is “on the door” (or bag). Ramesh I am sure could have gone in that direction if he wanted.

 

[Mia2080]

I walked by Joseph Duclos today and took a couple of pictures from the outside as the store was closed. Not much inventory on display.

 

[bagnut1]

Exactly. I feel like he needs to offer more options than the Dream Bag. In my head, the Dream Bag is analogous to the Birkin and so he needs something that is sort of an alternative to the Kelly. Something that's less casual and more feminine, and could transition to an evening bag for smaller models.

But then again, he's young, so maybe there's more coming.

I forgot about the Lorin, an elegant top handle. He mentioned on IG that a mini version may also be in the works.

 

[allanrvj]

I forgot about the Lorin, an elegant top handle. He mentioned on IG that a mini version may also be in the works.

ah yeah I also saw that. cute bag. I hope for the mini version he lower the handle a bit

 

[bagnut1]

ah yeah I also saw that. cute bag. I hope for the mini version he lower the handle a bit

It seems like he’ll do anything within reason that you like. (I also like a shorter handle- it’s why I haven’t followed through on a delvaux brilliant).

 

[foxgal]

Exactly. I feel like he needs to offer more options than the Dream Bag. In my head, the Dream Bag is analogous to the Birkin and so he needs something that is sort of an alternative to the Kelly. Something that's less casual and more feminine, and could transition to an evening bag for smaller models.

But then again, he's young, so maybe there's more coming.

I hear you…but at the same time, I really appreciate the simplicity and functionality of PN’s stable of creations…the Lorin is the lady-like flap (very much insprired by Ramesh’s Rejane), the Newley duffel and the Dream tote.

I understand this is a thread about Nair and love his designs for Hermes and Moynat for their quiet timeless aesthetic, but imho what he’s created for Duclos is overdone…like it’s “designed” to look fancy with too much fussy hardware. Kinda like what @Sourisbrune said above about the simplicity of his early designs.

But I hear what you mean…Peter is more a craftsman than an artist. Not like he’s going to be picked up as creative director for a fashion house. But that’s what makes me like him.

 

[Mousy]

I hear you…but at the same time, I really appreciate the simplicity and functionality of PN’s stable of creations…the Lorin is the lady-like flap (very much insprired by Ramesh’s Rejane), the Newley duffel and the Dream tote.

I understand this is a thread about Nair and love his designs for Hermes and Moynat for their quiet timeless aesthetic, but imho what he’s created for Duclos is overdone…like it’s “designed” to look fancy with too much fussy hardware. Kinda like what @Sourisbrune said above about the simplicity of his early designs.

But I hear what you mean…Peter is more a craftsman than an artist. Not like he’s going to be picked up as creative director for a fashion house. But that’s what makes me like him.

I completely agree with your comments. I like the understated look of the JD Lectoure horizonal bag. The price point is okay, but I’m not a huge fan of huge suede bags. I wish it was finished leather. One other con (in my opinion) can be seen in the second photo- the bottom isn‘t structured/reinforced. I’m all about reinforced bases on certain styles.

 

[allanrvj]

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I completely agree with your comments. I like the understated look of the JD Lectoure horizonal bag. The price point is okay, but I’m not a huge fan of huge suede bags. I wish it was finished leather. One other con (in my opinion) can be seen in the second photo- the bottom isn‘t structured/reinforced. I’m all about reinforced bases on certain styles.

oh dear. I get super annoyed with bags that have wide rectangular bases but without any reinforcement. it doesn't look good when the items collect at the center of the base. it is what I dislike about the Speedy. why would you design a bag like that if you know it's gonna look lousy like that? lol

 

[bagnut1]

I get the challenge Ramesh faces with Duclos. No archive so every bag has to tie to a branding story that he doesn’t necessarily control. I think the ancient sporting references work ok but the shapes aren’t terribly distinctive. The hardware then has to do that job and Ramesh is brilliant at hardware. (Whether we like it or not is a different issue.)

I need to feel these pieces in my hands to fully form my opinions.

 

[KFashion]

And because I love love love Josephines... I couldn't resist posting!

I am looking for a bag just like the larger Josephine in the pic if you know anyone reselling!

 

[Mousy]

It saddens me to ask this question, yet I’m curious about your comments. How do you think Joseph Duclos is doing? All the photos I see of the store—its empty or one customer is milling around. My gut is telling me they’re having a rough start, or it’s a flop thanks to the pandemic and high prices for an unknown brand. I wish JD and Ramesh the best!

 

[LJNLori]

It saddens me to ask this question, yet I’m curious about your comments. How do you think Joseph Duclos is doing? All the photos I see of the store—its empty or one customer is milling around. My gut is telling me they’re having a rough start, or it’s a flop thanks to the pandemic and high prices for an unknown brand. I wish JD and Ramesh the best!

I was wondering the same thing. I feel like the bag prices are just too high and that may be affecting sales. And the selection is too limited. I can see they are very high quality, but without seeing one in person and trying it on, I can't see buying at that price point. I keep going back to Moynat as my next bag wish list item.

 

[bagnut1]

It saddens me to ask this question, yet I’m curious about your comments. How do you think Joseph Duclos is doing? All the photos I see of the store—its empty or one customer is milling around. My gut is telling me they’re having a rough start, or it’s a flop thanks to the pandemic and high prices for an unknown brand. I wish JD and Ramesh the best!

I have only sporadically kept up to date about what's going on in France recently with Covid, but from a business perspective it sounds much worse than in the U.S., and tourism has been hit hard. So, yes a horrible climate to launch a new luxury brand. Hopefully the backer's pockets are deep and they can weather the storm until whatever the "new normal" turns out to be.

I look forward to visiting the maison and trying on a few whenever I get back to Paris.

 

[leechiyong]

I really have to wonder too. Their niche seems to be the subtle elegance that flies under the radar though, but I find it odd that I haven’t seen any purchases posted here or on IG, not even a card case or pouch.

They could have a few clients who spend enough to keep them afloat who want to go unnoticed though. In luxury, it’s not necessarily about the quantity of customers, but about the quantity a customer purchases. There are a couple luxury boutiques by me that I rarely see anyone in, yet have been open for decades. I assume they have a client or two who favors these locations and purchases enough to justify the overhead of the store. I hope this is the case with Joseph Duclos.

 

[Christofle]

I really have to wonder too. Their niche seems to be the subtle elegance that flies under the radar though, but I find it odd that I haven’t seen any purchases posted here or on IG, not even a card case or pouch.

They could have a few clients who spend enough to keep them afloat who want to go unnoticed though. In luxury, it’s not necessarily about the quantity of customers, but about the quantity a customer purchases. There are a couple luxury boutiques by me that I rarely see anyone in, yet have been open for decades. I assume they have a client or two who favors these locations and purchases enough to justify the overhead of the store. I hope this is the case with Joseph Duclos.

This and they might also have a lot of distance orders from customers who shop via phone and email!