Rumor Control: Are Banana Republic Bags made by Coach?

[LadyV]

Actually I heard a while back that former member of Coach's design team left Coach and was designing bags for Banana Republic.

 

[anteaterquaker]

i heard that the designer for Banana Republic was working at Coach before he switched company, that's why the designs are similar. That is Fact. I do love banana republic bags but the only problem is their resale values (especially on ebay) is not as high as coach, and their full price bag is getting expensive.

 

[Mrs. MC]

I love their bags too but don't own any. It wouldn't surprise me, we need more clarification on this issue, maybe I will do some digging on the internet

 

[BagsAreMyBabies]

Yes, I have been told this numerous times. I actually have two BR bags and they are great quality for the price. But yeah, I have been told this by SAs in Arizona and MI.

 

[ballet_russe]

Interesting, I've never heard that before. But I think some of BR's are high quality (and high price.... one of mine was $300+ retail.)

 

[BagsAreMyBabies]

i heard that the designer for Banana Republic was working at Coach before he switched company, that's why the designs are similar. That is Fact. I do love banana republic bags but the only problem is their resale values (especially on ebay) is not as high as coach, and their full price bag is getting expensive.

I know, I want to sell two of my bags - one with tags still on but you're right, the resale value on Ebay is horrible.

 

[baglady39]

I have been also told this by SAs, as well as just that BR bags are made in the same factory using all the same equip, etc, but are not actually made by Coach.

 

[BagsAreMyBabies]

I have been also told this by SAs, as well as just that BR bags are made in the same factory using all the same equip, etc, but are not actually made by Coach.

Yes, this is what I was told too, but then on other occasions I was told that in addition to it being the same leather, factory, etc., that someone from Coach left and was designing for BR now. Who knows what the real story is.

 

[florus]

My understanding is that the better BR bags are made in the same factory as Coach. I just bought one and the leather is identical to the current, pebbly Coach bags in the pale colors. The hardware is of the same high quality, too.

 

[September24]

Wow, I'd love to know too! BR has some awesome bags and they had some great deals around the holidays.

 

[lacherig]

I used to work at BR. We were told that the bags were made in the same factories as Coach bags. I think the quality of BR bags is amazing. I've been using the same BR bag everyday for almost three years now!

 

[spykitty]

I guess it depends on their factories. A lot of competitor items are made at the same factories- for example- a lot of competing make ups actually comes from the same lab.We know based on a recent Rebecca Minkoff debacle that her bags ad Kate Spade are made in the same factory.

 

[plumaplomb]

i love the leather of BR every single time -- Coach is kind of hit and miss. but when it's a hit, it's a hit!!

 

[Valkrie]

The SA from BR told me that Coach made the handbags for them a few years ago.

 

[mama0306]

^^ Good to know. I kinda figured that Coach would never "lower themselves" to the Banana level. It's common knowledge that Coach is trying to compete with the higher end luxury brands.

I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it but comments like this just make me cringe. I'm just one of those people who cares what the name is as long as YOU love it. If it's from walmart who cares as long as you love it. Heck I just switched out of a coach bag for an Old Navy bag lol. Some people might be offended by something like this. I think all brands have something to offer and I don't think any brand is really better than another as long as they're making quality stuff.