I love certain labels, to love me, is to love my handbag collection too! My closet bears no less than 52 purses (at last count) and most have a label affixed to the inside of the bag. My favorites are Louis Vuitton, Gucci, & Chanel. There are a couple Burberry thrown in, just for varieties sake and then there are a few that have no label whatsoever, but I absolutely adore. Louis Vuitton has always been my first love, I own most of the label's iconic bags, the Speedy, the Ellipse, the Pochette Accessories, along with various wallet and card holders, I always pick classic pieces. The LV monogram will NEVER go out of style, in my humble opinion! And perhaps, that is one of the huge things I love about labels, they are timeless. Coco Chanel introduced the iconic flap bag in February of 1955, it has since reached a massive following and it is still their most popular bag to date, I don't even think today's marketing geniuses could fathom that type of trending.
Louis Vuitton Speedy (available in sizes 25cm, 30cm, 35cm, & 40cm)
http://www.louisvuitton.com
Louis Vuitton Ellipse MM (discontinued model, Grand Modelé available)
http://www.louisvuitton.com
Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag
http://www.chanel.com
Which brings me to clothes.....clothes I'm not so picky on. I could wear a $10 sweater and still feel fabulous. And while it's the style of clothing for me, for others it's not. They want to wear a label blazoned across their chest like a crest of armor, shouting to all the world that their $400 t-shirt is Lanvin (though I give major kudos to Alber Elbaz, he truly is a fashion genius).
That type of label worship, I don't understand. For me, it's a clear case of label lust versus label love. That $400 shirt will be thrown out next season like last week's garbage, where a purse won't. Also, unless you can see the designer, who knows if that item of clothing is Kmart or Valentino? Those with a discerning eye may be able too, but your average female walking on the street couldn't!
Which means for me, I'm all the about the copy or the diffusion line. What's a diffusion line you ask? A diffusion line is a clothing line that a designer produces at a lower price point. For example, Philip Lim has an amazing couture line, but also his diffusion line 3.1 Philip Lim is also a best seller. What makes diffusion lines so successful is that the pieces are very similar to the couture version, but they are available mass market. Also, I'm a big fan of the collaboration. Target's Go International line with featured designers such as Zac Posen, Tara Jarmon, and Rodarte, all personal favorites of mine. H&M's collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf, and Lanvin were all MUST HAVE pieces in my repertoire. These lines were also extremely affordable.
I would much rather purchase the inexpensive version when it comes to clothing, but I would never settle for less when it comes to my bags. Besides all that extra money I'm saving on the clothes, I can tuck away for my next handbag!!
