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Hey everyone! I could really use your assistance. I found this olive green leather clutch on Poshmark. However, the seller has marked it as a replica Bonnie Cashin piece. I don't necessarily think it's fake but I can't find much about it online. Any guidance is so appreciated, thank you.

For reference, there are no engravings or any labels present.
 

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Hey everyone! I could really use your assistance. I found this olive green leather clutch on Poshmark. However, the seller has marked it as a replica Bonnie Cashin piece. I don't necessarily think it's fake but I can't find much about it online. Any guidance is so appreciated, thank you.

For reference, there are no engravings or any labels present.
It looks like a Bonnie Cashin design but it can't be proved since there is no label. It may have had a fabric label when new. The original owner may have removed it. The fabric lining looks like the lining used in the mid to late 60s. The hardware looks awfully new and shiny though. It looks similar to this style: https://www.vintagecoachie.com/style-guide/change-purse-eyeglass-case
 
It looks like a Bonnie Cashin design but it can't be proved since there is no label. It may have had a fabric label when new. The original owner may have removed it. The fabric lining looks like the lining used in the mid to late 60s. The hardware looks awfully new and shiny though. It looks similar to this style: https://www.vintagecoachie.com/style-guide/change-purse-eyeglass-case
I decided to cancel the order. There's just no way we can prove it. Thank you so much, Whateve.
 
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To me it was worth it if you're a collector. I love kisslocks but I agree for reselling there's no way to prove it is Bonnie Cashin.

I absolutely agree. I didn't necessarily think it was fake but if I chose to resell it in the future it might be an issue. Thank you, everyone. Your expertise and advice is always appreciated! For anybody wondering, it's on Canadian Poshmark!
 
I have a strange question. I was shopping for a plaza bag (found one!) and I also found this vintage bag. Manufacturer is an artisan leather guy named Jerry Mitchell (he signed the bag) and his company was called Mitchell USA Luxury in Leather. I read his story and he was an engineer who began his work by buying leather purses on the market and "deconstructing" them to see how they were made and then designing similar. Does this look like a plaza bag? It's 9 x 9 x 3, made in 2003. I also read that he subcontracted for Coach. I bought both, the plaza and this bag, and I'll look side by side when I get them. I'm struck with how much it does look like a plaza bag. Looks like he added color and invented a different handle attachment. (Now his company is run by his son and they make artisan briefcases out of finest and exotic leathers that sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars.)

Mitchel Bag1.webpMitchell Bag 2.webpMitchell Bag 3.webp


PS: Here's another bag he made which resembles Coach.

Mitchell Bag 4.webp
 
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I have a strange question. I was shopping for a plaza bag (found one!) and I also found this vintage bag. Manufacturer is an artisan leather guy named Jerry Mitchell (he signed the bag) and his company was called Mitchell USA Luxury in Leather. I read his story and he was an engineer who began his work by buying leather purses on the market and "deconstructing" them to see how they were made and then designing similar. Does this look like a plaza bag? It's 9 x 9 x 3, made in 2003. I also read that he subcontracted for Coach. I bought both, the plaza and this bag, and I'll look side by side when I get them. I'm struck with how much it does look like a plaza bag. Looks like he added color and invented a different handle attachment. (Now his company is run by his son and they make artisan briefcases out of finest and exotic leathers that sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars.)

View attachment 6150320View attachment 6150321View attachment 6150322


PS: Here's another bag he made which resembles Coach.

View attachment 6150326
Could have fooled me ! Is the "Plaza" bag fully lined with leather ?
 
I have a strange question. I was shopping for a plaza bag (found one!) and I also found this vintage bag. Manufacturer is an artisan leather guy named Jerry Mitchell (he signed the bag) and his company was called Mitchell USA Luxury in Leather. I read his story and he was an engineer who began his work by buying leather purses on the market and "deconstructing" them to see how they were made and then designing similar. Does this look like a plaza bag? It's 9 x 9 x 3, made in 2003. I also read that he subcontracted for Coach. I bought both, the plaza and this bag, and I'll look side by side when I get them. I'm struck with how much it does look like a plaza bag. Looks like he added color and invented a different handle attachment. (Now his company is run by his son and they make artisan briefcases out of finest and exotic leathers that sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars.)

View attachment 6150320View attachment 6150321View attachment 6150322


PS: Here's another bag he made which resembles Coach.

View attachment 6150326
That’s another name to add to the list. Back in 90’s I found several companies making full grain leather bags in similar styles to Coach. At a consignment shop I found a Willis style in a light saddle color made by JCPenney under the Hunt Club label. It had a big water stain on the the back but I didn’t mind. I think I donated it when I lost one of the hardware pieces. It kept unscrewing and that was before I knew to seal it with nail polish! Or replace it! I went into a Coach store once and the associate thought it was a Coach.
I bought a Laura USA brief bag in mahogany in the Lexington style for $150 around ‘93 at a luggage store. The sales lady told me the Laura bags were made in the same factory as Coach bags. Two years ago I bought a beautiful black Laura USA large tote for a friend’s daughter and the leather was fabulous.
The Bell label also made full grain leather bags. I was trying to find out more about Laura USA and did see that Coach took a few companies, including JC P and Ann Taylor to court over making similar styles.
 
I rehabbed a mocha Shoulder Purse with kisslock coin purse that was almost as worn as this and it came back beautifully, better than I anticipated, with multiple apps of CPR, LT R&C, Renapur and lots of buffing in between. :girlsigh: I get those vibes here! N/a but not pinging my radar.
Early in my vintage journey some “gifted” ;) me one of these in Putty. I need to pull it out. The strap length was impressed on the strap.
 
I have a strange question. I was shopping for a plaza bag (found one!) and I also found this vintage bag. Manufacturer is an artisan leather guy named Jerry Mitchell (he signed the bag) and his company was called Mitchell USA Luxury in Leather. I read his story and he was an engineer who began his work by buying leather purses on the market and "deconstructing" them to see how they were made and then designing similar. Does this look like a plaza bag? It's 9 x 9 x 3, made in 2003. I also read that he subcontracted for Coach. I bought both, the plaza and this bag, and I'll look side by side when I get them. I'm struck with how much it does look like a plaza bag. Looks like he added color and invented a different handle attachment. (Now his company is run by his son and they make artisan briefcases out of finest and exotic leathers that sell for thousands upon thousands of dollars.)

View attachment 6150320View attachment 6150321View attachment 6150322


PS: Here's another bag he made which resembles Coach.

View attachment 6150326
The more I look at it, I see the Bella Court style for his inspiration for the top handle, on the body structure of a Plaza. Or a Regina, with a rounded base. I wonder if he did that to avoid litigation. image.webp
 
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