What would it take for you to purchase a high-end unknown designer bag?

[DoggieBags]

I rarely browse. When I shop I usually head towards the brands I normally buy with a list of specific items I would like to view in person. So for me to even look at an unknown brand, the design would have to be striking enough to catch my eye as I passed by on my way to my pre-selected brand destination. Interesting Shape, great color, unusual hardware are all things that might catch my eye. Once something caught my eye and I stopped to examine the piece, workmanship, materials, functionality, color, and whether or not it filled a gap in my bag wardrobe would all play a part in the decision making process. I don’t care how pretty the bag is, if the workmanship and/or materials are poor quality, I would stop looking at it and move on to my intended brand destination. However, If it hit all the right buttons for me, the lack of brand recognition would not be a factor.

 

[fabuleux]

A few years ago (2013?) I bought a Sophie Hulme pony hair tote from Bergdorfs for around $1,000. It was pricey for a little known designer. I’ll admit there was a brief moment of purchase guilt because I’d spent so much on something and it wasn’t an obvious status symbol. After realizing how ridiculous and materialistic that way of thinking made me feel, I remembered that I truly loved everything about that bag. The shape was perfect. The buckle plates were edgy, but feminine. Pony hair makes me happy and there was no branding on the bag at all. All things that made the bag exactly what I wanted and loved. No regrets from there on. I still love that bag and I’m always happy when the cooler weather comes to bring it back into my handbag rotation.

In short, if you truly love the design and are comfortable with the price, the label should mean nothing. I did do my due diligence on the brand somewhat before I bought it. Knowing it was carried at Bergdorfs and that there were positive reviews on fashion blogs was reassuring.

I totally agree with you! When I bought my Bottega Veneta bag around 2007, I felt the same weirdness because I loved the bag, the leather, and the design, but it wasn’t an obvious “designer bag” (aka it didn’t have a logo). Then I realized that it made this piece more elegant and refined than any LV or Gucci bags I had in my collection at that time.

Unfortunately, a lot of people pay extra for a visible logo. That’s what they are most interested in. The current LV monogram géant collection is a proof of that. It looks so ridiculous in mod shots. If I can tell the brand of your bag from space, then you’re not a stylish person, you’re a billboard.

 

[Gabs007]

I totally agree with you! When I bought my Bottega Veneta bag around 2007, I felt the same weirdness because I loved the bag, the leather, and the design, but it wasn’t an obvious “designer bag” (aka it didn’t have a logo). Then I realized that it made this piece more elegant and refined than any LV or Gucci bags I had in my collection at that time.

Unfortunately, a lot of people pay extra for a visible logo. That’s what they are most interested in. The current LV monogram géant collection is a proof of that. It looks so ridiculous in mod shots. If I can tell the brand of your bag from space, then you’re not a stylish person, you’re a billboard.

I always thought good design and quality speaks for itself, lately the branding and overdoing it with labels has gone out of control, I used to love Fendi, but they have gone totally overboard with the double F, I think some labels are gorgeous, the label itself a piece of art (the way the double F from Fendi works, the H in Hermes, etc) but if it is all over the bag, I rather give it a miss, that is what the lining is for. It's almost a bit "Look, I can afford this item..."

I don't mind paying for quality and design, but if I should advertise for a designer, I don't expect to pay, I expect to get paid.

 

[Annabel Lee]

I hope you do not find this rude, it isn't intended to be, it is just such a different way from how I approach things that I have to ask you, if you don't intend to sell the bags anyway, why is the resale price such a factor?

I can be a bit spur of the moment when it comes to buying something and I know I can afford it, but resale price honestly never featured in, I get bored with some things, or they don't look as good on me as I thought they would, or my technical gadgets change and another bag would be better...

I think I sold 3 bags because I really didn't use them, but the moment I buy something, I have already written that money off, it's fashion, it is fun, should be practical, but I never saw it as an investment or thought about resale, because the resale value of almost ever designer item is quite low, unless you happen to have a limited edition

I don't think it's a rude question, so you're fine I never INTEND to sell bags, but I have made mistakes, and I have upgraded. I agree bags aren't investments.

However, if I simply need a bag, I can get one without spending $$$, and I do have a range of prices represented in my collection. So if I am going to spend a lot, I want to feel the value is there. Love of a bag is part of that value to me, so features such as cool design and exquisite workmanship, etc. will turn my head on an unknown designer. However, if it's a pricey bag that's just a plain black tote and I can spend just a little more to get something that will retain its value better, that is a consideration for me. That's not just about resale--that's about aftercare, the ease of repairs, etc.

 

[Gabs007]

I don't think it's a rude question, so you're fine I never INTEND to sell bags, but I have made mistakes, and I have upgraded. I agree bags aren't investments.

However, if I simply need a bag, I can get one without spending $$$, and I do have a range of prices represented in my collection. So if I am going to spend a lot, I want to feel the value is there. Love of a bag is part of that value to me, so features such as cool design and exquisite workmanship, etc. will turn my head on an unknown designer. However, if it's a pricey bag that's just a plain black tote and I can spend just a little more to get something that will retain its value better, that is a consideration for me. That's not just about resale--that's about aftercare, the ease of repairs, etc.

Makes total sense, my mistakes usually have been my nieces gain, simply because I figured with the price you get for a bag, there is really no point in trying to recover that, it is a bit like the car you lust for, the moment you leave the showroom and drive it down the road, it has lost half the value already....

 

[MiaT]

I always thought good design and quality speaks for itself, lately the branding and overdoing it with labels has gone out of control, I used to love Fendi, but they have gone totally overboard with the double F, I think some labels are gorgeous, the label itself a piece of art (the way the double F from Fendi works, the H in Hermes, etc) but if it is all over the bag, I rather give it a miss, that is what the lining is for. It's almost a bit "Look, I can afford this item..."

I don't mind paying for quality and design, but if I should advertise for a designer, I don't expect to pay, I expect to get paid.

That's my attitude on any brand label that is noticeable.

 

[Oxana17]

My opinion the brand is not important at all. Even NOT famous brand is more interesting to have if it is super quality and design. I have a bag that is not famous yet (expensive but super quality, made in France) . And this is amazing!!! I love that everybody asking me where I got this bag!))