What do H fans think of LV?

[Keren16]

When I heard LV hired NG, I was really intrigued. Loved him at Balenciaga!

+1
I never gave LV much credit "graduating" to pricer lines
I have to give credit to the neglect I gave to them & how nice they look with some small attention with refurbishing products
Yes , I agree, NG brought interest & creativity
Hopefully, for good things to come

 

[catsinthebag]

Hi Cats!

The Speedy 25 (pre B) is the first designer bag I ever bought. I still have mine although I don't carry it. Audrey Hepburn carried it and the 25 size was made specially for her....so that's some great heritage. I do kind of feel it's a heritage LV has done everything they can to tarnish, kind of the way Tiffany doesn't mean what it meant in Audrey's day. I have also owned an Epi Alma, which I loved, and an Haute Popincourt, which like LoveEmAll's similar bag, fell apart, and LV would not repair it. So I don't love their service and to me the prices and snobbery (the stores around me are much worse than H stores for snottiness) are out of sync with today's quality.
My other issue is that there are SO many fakes and frankly the canvas is incredibly easy to fake - so you see these bags, especially the monogram, everywhere and I don't think there's any longer any assumption that they are real.

I wrestle with this too because I like the Alma BB in Epi and have been wanting one, and I like how indestructible the Damier canvas is (I like the Damier Ebene much better than the monogram) and I would not mind some Epi SLGs or pochettes. I don't live in snow country but if I did I would not bring out any H except my Evie, so I get it.
My throw-around duffel is a Clare Vivier Escale, but that's not necessarily "luxe" at the level you're seeking. Maybe something from Martin Margiela or Rick Owens that will look even better if it falls in snow?

Hi QF!

I was kinda hoping you'd chime in here! You totally summed up my dilemma here -- the Audrey heritage vs. the reality of LV today, etc. Strangely, the fakes don't bother me much (probably because I just assume everyone's bag is real!) but the overwhelming number of LV bags I see on the street does. It's hard to feel like your bag is "special" when you see three other girls on the same block carrying the same one. But then, there's a reason why they are so common -- price point, durability, classic silouhettes. Hard to imagine anywhere a Speedy (or Alma) can't go and seem appropriate (and for those situations, I have a Kelly or a Chanel, lol). Like I said, truly a first world problem!

I tried on the newly redesigned Speedy in Empreinte leather and was surprised how much I liked it. The logos don't shout as much on a black bag and the size (25) and function were pretty perfect. Higher price point than canvas, though, so I want to be sure ...

Thanks for the recommendations of Margiela or Rick Owens -- I don't think of them for bags but will check it out. The Clare V duffle is a similar price point to the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir I bought last year -- I've always liked Longchamp for value-for-money, but you're right, it's not as luxe as I want and unfortunately, I can already see a bit of color loss on the corners.

Oh, and speaking of LV SLGs, I have one: a damier Azur pouchette with a guy sleeping in a hot air balloon limited edition I don't know the name of. It's from 2011 and has traveled in every bag, every day, since I bought it, and it looks like new (or almost). I love that little thing!

 

[catsinthebag]

Lol! Every time I stumble on this thread, I have to stop and check to see if I am in the LV forum or the Hermes forum!

Yes, it's nice to see how many H fans still love and appreciate their LV bags!

 

[Keren16]

Hi QF!

I was kinda hoping you'd chime in here! You totally summed up my dilemma here -- the Audrey heritage vs. the reality of LV today, etc. Strangely, the fakes don't bother me much (probably because I just assume everyone's bag is real!) but the overwhelming number of LV bags I see on the street does. It's hard to feel like your bag is "special" when you see three other girls on the same block carrying the same one. But then, there's a reason why they are so common -- price point, durability, classic silouhettes. Hard to imagine anywhere a Speedy (or Alma) can't go and seem appropriate (and for those situations, I have a Kelly or a Chanel, lol). Like I said, truly a first world problem!

I tried on the newly redesigned Speedy in Empreinte leather and was surprised how much I liked it. The logos don't shout as much on a black bag and the size (25) and function were pretty perfect. Higher price point than canvas, though, so I want to be sure ...

Thanks for the recommendations of Margiela or Rick Owens -- I don't think of them for bags but will check it out. The Clare V duffle is a similar price point to the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir I bought last year -- I've always liked Longchamp for value-for-money, but you're right, it's not as luxe as I want and unfortunately, I can already see a bit of color loss on the corners.

Oh, and speaking of LV SLGs, I have one: a damier Azur pouchette with a guy sleeping in a hot air balloon limited edition I don't know the name of. It's from 2011 and has traveled in every bag, every day, since I bought it, and it looks like new (or almost). I love that little thing!

Too much for me to absorb tonight other than it was my first designer bag line. The big bucket. The one I have now from that time is a Noe & I have to admit, love & have a fond memory, despite the musky smell, since I pulled her from storage. She held up well[emoji7]
I have a few iconic items since, as a collector & fondness, not really to wear
My bags are not fakes as I bought them from LV at NM, SAKs boutiques within their stores.
It seems a matter of perception of style & construction to me
I like individually produced made products best
Whatever, I still have an admiration for their history

 

[QuelleFromage]

Hi QF!

I was kinda hoping you'd chime in here! You totally summed up my dilemma here -- the Audrey heritage vs. the reality of LV today, etc. Strangely, the fakes don't bother me much (probably because I just assume everyone's bag is real!) but the overwhelming number of LV bags I see on the street does. It's hard to feel like your bag is "special" when you see three other girls on the same block carrying the same one. But then, there's a reason why they are so common -- price point, durability, classic silouhettes. Hard to imagine anywhere a Speedy (or Alma) can't go and seem appropriate (and for those situations, I have a Kelly or a Chanel, lol). Like I said, truly a first world problem!

I tried on the newly redesigned Speedy in Empreinte leather and was surprised how much I liked it. The logos don't shout as much on a black bag and the size (25) and function were pretty perfect. Higher price point than canvas, though, so I want to be sure ...

Thanks for the recommendations of Margiela or Rick Owens -- I don't think of them for bags but will check it out. The Clare V duffle is a similar price point to the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir I bought last year -- I've always liked Longchamp for value-for-money, but you're right, it's not as luxe as I want and unfortunately, I can already see a bit of color loss on the corners.

Oh, and speaking of LV SLGs, I have one: a damier Azur pouchette with a guy sleeping in a hot air balloon limited edition I don't know the name of. It's from 2011 and has traveled in every bag, every day, since I bought it, and it looks like new (or almost). I love that little thing!

OMG I know that exact pochette, I wanted it so badly!! I just loved the illustration of the guy and balloon. Too funny.

I was thinking more about this today and I think if you really like the Speedy you should go for it. I'm liking the idea of Damier Graphite if it exists, but Ebene is still cool. If you want to borrow a Speedy 25 with a ton of patina and see how you feel....

 

[scndlslv]

I have almost 20 LV bags and several SLGs. I like color and love the artist collaborations and LE items. I also love Epi and their soft leather bags which use the EXACT leather Hermes uses from the same sources. I need variety in color, material, and print in my handbag collection and Hermes doesn't offer enough variety for my taste. They each serve a purpose in my lifestyle and I don't see why it has to be an either/or proposition. Variety is the spice of life so buy and wear what you love.

 

[catsinthebag]

OMG I know that exact pochette, I wanted it so badly!! I just loved the illustration of the guy and balloon. Too funny.

I was thinking more about this today and I think if you really like the Speedy you should go for it. I'm liking the idea of Damier Graphite if it exists, but Ebene is still cool. If you want to borrow a Speedy 25 with a ton of patina and see how you feel....

That is so incredibly sweet of you to offer! Having tried the 25, I know in canvas I need a 30 (as well as a strap). The opening of the 25 is just too small and I would be scratching my hand on the zipper multiple times a day. They managed to fix this on the Empreinte version by extending the zipper slightly down the sides of the bag so the opening is wider (which somehow also makes the whole bag feel bigger). Form vs. function, the constant battle!

Oh, and thanks for the enabling ... I think!

 

[runner1234]

Good to know you still love your LV even after going over to the orange side! From this forum, it feels like many people get hooked on LV, then move on to Chanel and H and don't love their LV anymore. Which is too bad because LV is just a different aesthetic (and price point, especially if we're talking about canvas). Glad to know the LV love has some staying power!

Yes, like others before me I transitioned (in obsession) from LV -> Chanel -> H.. Still love H the best but after getting a few B/Ks I found myself lusting after certain LV bags..Whereas Chanel bags simply don't work for me and I've sold most of them

 

[catsinthebag]

I have almost 20 LV bags and several SLGs. I like color and love the artist collaborations and LE items. I also love Epi and their soft leather bags which use the EXACT leather Hermes uses from the same sources. I need variety in color, material, and print in my handbag collection and Hermes doesn't offer enough variety for my taste. They each serve a purpose in my lifestyle and I don't see why it has to be an either/or proposition. Variety is the spice of life so buy and wear what you love.

hmmm ... "buy and wear what you love," .... could it really be that simple?

 

[catsinthebag]

Yes, like others before me I transitioned (in obsession) from LV -> Chanel -> H.. Still love H the best but after getting a few B/Ks I found myself lusting after certain LV bags..Whereas Chanel bags simply don't work for me and I've sold most of them

Yes, I find Chanel bags (the flaps anyway) to be very event-specific. I won't sell the ones I have, but have no intention of every buying another one either. Whereas LV and H feel to me more versatile.

 

[aynrand]

The Neverfull is, by far, the best tote ever invented, mastering the art of functionality to proportion like no other tote before or since. If it hasn't surpassed the Speedy in sales/popularity, it should. LV is just suffering from too much of its own success. Like other brands under its corporate umbrella, its just way too overdone. Balenciaga too. I used to salivate, waiting for the new colors, hoping to land one of the few that would make it to a scarce US boutique. Now, they're everywhere. Too homogeneous for me. Perhaps this downturn will result in some rationalization to these iconic brands and they, or others who emerge in their stead, may evolve with more exclusivity in the future. BTW, my Speedy (acquired in 1988) is the only bag I ever regret selling.

 

[Mali_]

I can appreciate the durability of the bags, and would use them to cushion the leathers of other bags, but never bought an LV because of the plastic-y look. This does not discount the other skins LV uses but I just was never drawn to them or logos. I literally went from "old", leather, non-logoed Coach to H, with a few Pradas and Burberry bags thrown in.

 

[ladysarah]

I actually quite like the Azur print. Just can't convince myself it will work during a dark, messy Boston winter.

I think azure is lovely for travel to warmer land or weather and ebene, for colder city breaks in winter. Either looks great with a light rain coat or a trench - and I can totally see the attraction. A plume has a different feel, I like it with a more tailored equestrian jacket or a smart coat - and ideally best not to get in soaking wet.

 

[Mousy]

I began my collection of designer bags with LV- canvas, empriente and specialty leathers.
I then sold several of my bags and began to buy Hermes.

I couldn't understand why my hands would rash every once and a while. As it turns out, I'm allergic to the tanning of Hermes leather, but not LV.

I'm back to LV after selling my Hermes bags. I miss my gorgeous Hermes colors and style, but I'm having fun buying LV. Though the price point is still high (especially for something to hold a wallet), I enjoy the artistry of designs.

For some reason I have a different mind set with LV. I'm not too nervous to use my bags (as I was with Hermes, wanting to keep the Hermes really nice). LV are tough enough to share with my daughter (teenager).

Several people on various forums have mentioned a "McDonaldisation" of LV (I call it the Starbucks Effect, because they are a little pricier than McDonald's and many cities have multiple LV boutiques)- With LV, I don't feel the urgency of buying a bag immediately because the company has it in the color and style I want at one given time. My Hermes SA would look up what I wanted on the iPad and have it transferred in, or would call me to stop by because he had a bag in I might like, but I was always risking seasons and only 3 or 4 of a certain color out there.

I love Hermes, though I can't use their bags. I love the ease of purchasing and comfort using my LV bags.

 

[antschulina]

I personally love LV bags. I particularly enjoy the monogram canvas, although it "yells" LV. The brand in itself has never been as available and as a present as it is now. It is true that LV bags used to be ubiquitous, and you could see them everywhere. But it seems that this popularity wave is over now, as many people switched to Michael Kors or other brands. For me, LV remains a luxury brand, and I agree that it is a Premier designer no matter what. As my personal choice for bags would be H and Chanel, I cannot, however, say that LV comes after. I have been owning a few slgs and a speedy so far. My most preferred slgs are those I got from LV because the coated canvas is indestructible. And I enjoy pulling out my multicles or agenda out of any bag. I will continue buying them in the future, even though my heart lies within H and Chanel.
I also had a specific period of time when I did not carry my Speedy because every other girl/ woman had one. But now I came to fall in love with it again. Although I love H and Chanel, I also must admit that they are not very appropriate in some environments (in front of specific family members, specific work colleagues, you name it). And for these occasions, I carry my Michael Kors Jetset tote or Longchamp Le pliage in canvas. I think that H has made its efforts to make bags discreet, but I also came to realize that they are very recognizable nevertheless.
That being said, if you like the Speedy B, then get it. As a true H lover, I really love speedies, and I love seeing them. The speedy is really iconic, and overall a great and sturdy bag. hth