Day 4: To Louis or not to Louis? Part Deux

Wow, LV's US CEO, how cool! I can't wait to hear what he has to say!

LV was the first high-end designer brand I really got into, but I haven't bought anything from them lately because I'm sick of monogram canvas, you can see it everywhere. Even you get a "limited edition" piece, more often than not it doesn't stay limited and ends up being produced in greater quantities, other styles, being re-released the next year, etc.

I used to be a a huge fan. I got my first LV bag when I was like 13? and between my mom and I...we have almost every one, but I've been turned off by the snobby SAs. They are ALL snobby in general, esp. when I bring something back for repair as simple as having the seam restitched on a wallet. The SA just brushed me off by giving me some BS excuse, so then I brought it to another LV store, and they were able to repair it. I have plenty of stories about snobby LV SAs and I got tired of being treated so differently depending on which store I go to, etc. I just stopped buying their bags...and then I started reading BagSnob which open my eyes...and now I collect bags which are only Bag Snob approved.

I bought a couple of LV bags several years back, and I still use one of them when it's raining or crappy out. But I got tired of its overpopularity and the obvious fakes out there.

My Take is, and please don't tell them this verbatim, is that Marc Jacobs, while having some good ideas on how to move the brand forward in the beginning, has ruined the prestige of the house. I think I fall into the category that you are in, Tina. There will always be a mystique and prestige to the classic monograms. Vintage Vuitton for life! A story, I was at the Americana at Brand in Glendale on Monday night (have you been yet?) and every where I turned was a Speedy. This was interesting for two reasons: first, the proliferation of the style annoyed me. For less than eight hundred bucks you can go to the Hollywood and Highland and get a Speedy. Second, each Speedy I saw, and I gotta say it was probably like twenty, was the classic or damier print. This may be because they are perfect price pointed for the American customer, or because everyone else is starting to realize the emperor is wearing no clothes. But, the flooding of the market with endless ugliness has turned me currently off the brand. It makes sense business to offer as much crap as they do, so no one is losing money, I'm sure. But, at the same time, I really want to see a comeback. It's sort of like how I'm a Brittney Spears fan. I see that she's lost right now, and it may be a long time for her to come back, but when she does, and when I'm dancing to her newest song, I'll forgive the mess that she is now.

Hello! I love your photo by the way with the pink dress!

LV? Bought many pieces years ago and stopped buying already just like you.

They seem mass produced already!

I have my classic speedy, luggage carry-ons and some small accessories like my agenda, wallet, etc. After that I've stopped buying LV due to the fact that there are just so many fakes (granted they are easily spotted by any true bagsnob;))And honestly, it's a favorite among the mall rats.

I think that LV has lost some of it's glamor over the past years, In the 80s I could not wait to purchase my first LV, the sign that you have arrived. After a few years I gave it (large speedy) away, mainly because everyone and their momma had a speedy, much like today.

Now, I would not be caught dead with anything LV, from what I see the quality has diminished while the popularity has increased. Personally, I think the speedy is over priced. As for there other designs I have not found anything that would make me pay over 300.00 for.

Maybe they should just stick to the luggage.

Marc on the other hand does design some great bags, I have 2 of them, a Marc Jacob and a Marc by Marc Jacob.

I'm not sure where I fall...I refuse to buy their classic monogram or their classic damier or damier azur. But I will indulge in some of their limited pieces, two of which I bought this spring...a damier lune carry-on, and the trotter messenger bag in grey kangaroo leather - I absolutely love it!!!

LV... I loved the classic monogram and styles but the shock of seeing bags like the Joke bag has turned me off. Forever? Probably not, but for now, definitely.

Love LV for the quality. However I refuse to buy any bag and spend over even 500 dollars for something that is copied left and right. If I do buy LV, I buy the very classic ones without any sort of logo or mongram. For example, Nomade and Epi are classic and beautiful. I wish they would develop more bags without logos and just work with quality and classic style.

lv is almost always associated with their monogram or plastic as the bagsnob would call it but actually i feel monogram is OK to a certain extent. it can be chic (or not) depending on the wearer really. and i feel lv has been churning out some really good design/ style lately i.e. mahina or the motard (past season). so i think if u wanna do monogram, do it in moderation. wish they could stop producing the fugly collaboration with murakami though UGH!

I completely agree with Amanda (above). Seriously...why would I want to spend $$$ on an LV bag when there are so many other better choices. LV is going to have to get out of the slump they're in before I buy again!

This is a tough call. On one hand, I love the neutral, classic monogram. On the other hand, every human on the face of the earth appears to own a LV bag. And with all the fakes, I feel a little dumb buying the real thing.

That said, I have a wallet and shopper that I adore. The canvas is seriously near indestructable, a big plus for someone with small children who is hard on bags. I leave my pieces in the rain, baking in the sun and heat in my car, schelp through airport security, etc. and the canvas holds up great.

I've been lucky to "inherit" a lot of pieces from friends and family. It's tough paying $ks for canvas. But when it lasts 15 years as my last Tresor wallet did...

Have to second the snooty SAs. Give me a break!

IMHO LV should scale back to luggage and basics or risk diluting the brand further.

I live in New York and work in the garment district, so I see LV fakes on every block. However, I never loved LV in the first place. I'm not a logo fan, and to be honest, I think their brown/tan logo is ugly. It's that simple. It just never appealed. In my opinion, LVMH is all about the bottom line--there is nothing classy or luxurious about LV anymore. It's mass market. Anyone can have a piece of the action--real or fake--so where's the status (if that's what people want)? I think Arnault has taken them over the brink and there's really no turning back. What started out as a high-quality family-owned maker of trunks has been eaten alive by LVMH. And they are not alone. Maybe the stockholders are happy.

I guess I got sick of the LV bags before I actually saw a real one. There have been replicas for s o long and the latest bags don´t even humor me. As you already guess, LV and MJ just don´t appeal to me.

Some of my first designer bags/accesories were Louis Vuitton, and in my youth I felt they were some of the highest quality products around. Now that I am a little bit older and have seen the quality of other brands, I see that the quality is not very good. I have a wallet that I carried for 7 years and it has completely fallen apart, and according to LV is unrepairable. I think it is unreasonable to expect a product at such a price point should not last at least 10 years. And if it does not, it should at least be repaired by the company who makes it. I think the customer service at Louis Vuitton is beyond horrible. I have vowed to never buy another piece of Louis Vuitton because of the shoddy craftsmanship and the abysmal customer service. I would rather save for longer and spend more at Chanel or Hermes. At least I know I will be treated well there.

I have never been a fan and do not own even 1 piece of LV and I am surprised by how many people here seem to agree with me. I was at their Paris store on George V and it was PACKED...you could not move. My husband was looking at a wallet and they were out of everything. There was a line to get a SA to help you. I have never seen such madness.

I think LV is synonymous with classic bags, especially the Epi leather and selective Suhali ones. I'm not a big fan of the monogram canvas. I think they need to stop with the over proliferation of creating trend bags (i.e. Eye Love, Multicolor, Denim bag) Also, LV needs to stop increasing the prices of their bags every other month and stick to the classics we used to see. just my two cents.

I only buy LV once a year in Vegas. That is where I have felt I have received the best customer service. It's a shame since I live in the Beverly Hills area but the SAs at my local LV are sooo snobby and the customer service is horrid!! I will not buy LV monogram or damier. I refuse to pay over $500 for plastic coated canvas. I'd rather go to Coach where I can get a good quality leather purse with better customer service and will cost me the same or less than a speedy. Plus, I am not a logo person. Yuck. I do however, love their epi leather because it's durable and the lines are classic.
One thing that I do like about LV vs. Gucci is that I have heard LV will authenticate a purse in a store, whereas Gucci will not. That is one of the few reasons I prefer LV over Gucci. Should I ever decide to part any LV pieces.

For now LV is not on the top of my radar in terms of purse lust. I'm into Jimmy Choo now.

i would get the very large speedy (35?) for traveling but not for an everyday bag.

I have recently come across this blog and have enjoyed reading. I guess I am kind-of sensitive, while reading I started to think about my LV pieces and wondered...are they that great...? So I think it is great of LV to meet with the bloggers because you do have an impact on the brand. I was going to write Tina and get verification on my "master plan", but this is the perfect forum. With that being said I have come to a decision on where I stand on this. First of all I was horrified to find out that my LV pieces were not made entirely in France. When I spend that kind of money I expect it to be made in France. I have some LV and I am still in my twenties. I actually do not care for the classic monogram as it is EVERYWHERE. I have an Onatah piece that I like, it is very casual and you do not see the monogramming unless you are in bright light. I have liked some of the Marc Jacobs collaborations. I have the Tisse with the navy stripe, I do not care for the orange one that was shown, but I like the nave and the vintage feel to the monogram. I also have the yellow pulp pm weekender. Spring is all about color and this is a fabulous bag. I call it the grafiti bag. Again, I am still in my twenties, so I think these bags are appropriate for my age group. This comes to my "master plan", which I would love your opinion on. I have collected LV for my twenties, I plan on a variety such as, Chloe, YSL, Tods, Balenciaga, etc. for my thirties, Chanel is good for the forties, and Hermes is good for a LIFETIME. I got the Lindy in pussier (sp) last week and I adore it, it is the perfect shade of brown for year-round here in Florida. Nobody can come close to Hermes and once you fall for them nothing can ever look as good as it used to. I also wanted to mention that I love the wait for my Hermes, because it is fun to know that they are making something special to my specification. I am going to have them go for a Kelly wallet in a bright color this summer at podium, any suggestions. Sorry to make this LV thing about Hermes, but I love the blogs that discuss Hermes and they are so classic without having to be flashy or with and sort of monogramming.

I couldn't agree more with the snooty SA comments. I guess it was a year or so ago I was trying to decide if I wanted the LV Dentelle Speedy in silver. When I asked to see the bag the SA gave me the, "Yeah, as if you're going to buy this," treatment and while I looking at the bag, after, maybe 60 seconds, she literally walked away to help someone else. So I walked away too ... to the YSL store, and have never looked back. I liked the bag too, and have considered getting it from some of the My Poupette approved resellers on eBay, but I just can't shake that negative experience.

I have never liked LV bags and never will. I would not accept one even if I got it for free - the LV logo is ugly, and the "classic" bags are hideous in my eyes. Why spend a fortune on ugly stuff when there are so many other pretty bags from better brands to choose from? Meanwhile it has been fun to watch Marc Jacobs fool around with the moldy brand. Though obviously I would not put my money on his LV designs either.

LV bags? What shall I say, nowadays you see it everywhere, real ones, fake ones... It' what you say, mass production, it losses its glamour... A couple of years ago, you would look your eyes out when you see someone carrying a LV bag, now it's just very common.

I couldn't agree more with the comments regarding the SAs. I went to the store in Galleria in Dallas and it was the worst experience ever. When I asked to look at a bag she (the SA) actually gave me a head to toe look as if to say, 'really??', 'you??' took out the bag with great disinterest and walked away... i was put off but decide to stick around coz' I had a question or two... but she kept me waiting for over 10 mins so I just walked out... headed to Northpark mall and right into Barneys. Boy, am I glad or am I glad.

I don't own a single piece of LV and after that experience, never will.

To all of you who are talking about bad SA experiences...report them!!! I don't hesitate to report a rude SA...I've done it at Gucci, and if you're an established customer they will address your concern immediately. The store manager called and emailed me, and since I was able to give exact dates and times they could look it up on their security camera system and confront the SA.

I have quite a few pieces of LV bags and luggage (limted edition) etc.. that I no longer carry and are like 100 years old, I will never part with them, Im just into my lables being on the inside of my bags, although last year I did purchase the damier azur salega GM in the grey-ish white color and I find myself carrying it on my travels with my kids, planes, road trips, park etc....it is so durable and I love it cuz it has an outside pocket with a zipper and zipper on top, plane rides need zippers I can throw it on the floor and not worry about the leather being ruined, I have loads of serious bags I can NOT just lay anywhere, so I take my Louis for my days I need to just not worry about my bag....so with that said, Im just not that into LV!!! but OMG about the SNOOOOOTY!! SA
can I SAY WOW!!!!they are something else!!!!!!!

I haven't been an LV fan for some time. I am turned off by logos all over my bag, shoes, clothing etc. It can get to be quite tacky looking. My sister is 14 years older than I am, so I fell in love with all her LV stuff, and she bought my first LV for me @ Bloomies in NY when I was 14, then I got the Speedy for my 16th bday. No matter how much I don't like LV anymore I will always keep those 2 bags close to my heart. The rest of my LVs I sold to purchase better bags, and I still have a suitcase I took over from my mother years ago.(you can't beat the luggage). The brand has become too mainstream and trendy. It has turned to a BABY's MAMA brand just like Coach and Dooney. Since when does a celeb have to promote a brand that should always be classic. When I saw JLo in an LV ad I knew something was wrong.

I have been collecting handbags for a long time and have never purchased a LV bag. I don't like the logo it is everywhere and it has to be the most knocked off bag of any. I really don't understand the love of this brand. A few years back I almost purchased the luggage, my friend has it and says it is very durable. But I didn't and don't regret it.

Hi - 14 years ago I bought a Monogram Canvas Speedy 25 and the Monogram Canvas Accessories Pochette. I was 16 yrs old! I was the only girl in high school that owned an LV! I lived in TX then and I still do! It was such a big deal. I have given those bags to my niece who is now in high school! It seems like the younger generation is going crazy for LV bags because that's what Jessica Simpson is carrying! I do not want a canvas bag!

I agree with many of the posters above. The LV monogram is everywhere, real and fake. This is also true of the Balenciaga motorcycle bag but at least when I am handing over $1K+, I'm getting leather and not coated canvas. I am also getting a unique design and a great color selection for Bal bags, unlike the rather ugly selection at LV.

Also, the way LV keeps increasing their prices and coming up with bags such as the Joke bag is a big JOKE and a huge turnoff. I was also turned off by their recent lawsuit against the artist trying to help Darfur!

The only nice LV bag I have seen in the past several years is the Mahina and that's about it.

I think Marc Jacobs did nothing for LV bags, he might have, in fact, made them uglier. Whereas with his own MJ & MBMJ lines, he has come up with nicer bags that I have purchased.

Honestly speaking, I would rather spend my hard earned money on Chloe, Tod's, Prada & Miu Miu leather bags with eye catching and functional designs. If I want to spend upwards of $2K I would rather get classic Chanel purses in sumptuous leathers rather than various ugly canvas versions of LV.

LV seriously needs to reconsider their designs, the functionality of their purses and they definitely need to come down to earth with their pricing.

Honestly, the SAs turn me off as well. The Bal Harbour shop is terrible in that respect. It seems you can only receive good service there if the SAs know you. That being said, the SAs in the Boca Raton store are much friendlier. I am a southern girl who is friendly to everyone so I expect the same treatment whether I'm buying a toothbrush or plunking down four figures for a canvas bag!

I do still love the classic bags (oh how I envy you your vintage luggage, Tina!) but I don't carry them very often anymore because I feel the brand has so lost much of it's cachet.

Tina, I used to love Louis Vuitton, to the point that I had the scarves, the key chains, everything. But like you, I have drifted away.

But if the company is really returning to their classic aesthetics as you say- then I am ready to return. So please keep me posted, we all await your verdict on LV.

I have yet to enter the LV market, being a poor college student... But I've eyed them since I was probably 13, and I've always wanted one. But now that I'm older, I find it difficult to blow a grand on a cliche bag that many people say is "ugly." Though I'm sure their opinions sprout from jealousy, I can't get one without having girls that don't have them glare at my bag thinking it's ugly, or girls that do have them look over and think it's cliche. Either way people's opinions matter in that many of the bags seem mass produced, everyone has the same bags. Perhaps LV needs to bring more design into the bags, and perhaps in interesting (and practical) colors. I do suggest you release a few bags for different audiences and price tags. Perhaps release a bag (that isn't the pouchette) for the teenage girl looking to get into the LV market. And remember, teenagers want to feel grownup, so don't make it too kid-ish. Maybe one or two bags as the LV-fashionista and have it priced under $300.

I have 5 LV pieces and really the only one I continue to use is my large zip around wallet in Damier.
I think that the market is oversaturated with the brand, the logos, the whole LV "lifestyle" that is/was shown on MTV, Tabloid mags, Videos, etc. It really needs to take a LONG LONG vacation.
I will hand mine down to my daughter (if she wants them) because the bags I have will still be relevant for her since they have been in production for so long.
Hopefully by then, the mass-market stigma that is attached to them now will be long gone. And hopefully she will appreciate them.

I am not buying heavily branded or logoed merch now. I would rather purchase bags that have a meaning and purpose (Stella McCartney), or vintage, or up and coming designers, or design and make the clothes myself!
Its all about INDIVIDUALITY and Creating your OWN IMAGE, not letting the bag do the talking for you!!

Also, I wont even look at a Marc Jacobs piece. They dont appeal to me and I think that what he did for LV has soured me on him!

**Dont let the sales associates deter you from getting what you want...SPEAK UP!!
Talk to a mgr if it is that bad!!
The squeaky wheel gets the grease!!!***

the only thing i own is a LV silk scarf that was a gift to me and a pen and agenda that were gifts to me. i have never had the desire to buy anything from the LV brand. Maybe its because of the overwhelming monograms that are seen on the streets of NY and LA. Maybe its the sanity in me on buying something for 1k's of dollars that is not even leather. I don't know. I adore Marc Jacobs. I have about 8 of his bags. The only monogrammed bag I have ever had the desire to own was a Gucci. Perhaps is because of the Guccisima leather..get it..leather...lol

just my opinion.

MY LV experience

I met a very nice Manager from LV years back. Her name is Danika. She made me realize that having an LV trunk is the ultimate must have. She explained to me in detail the sizes, initials that I can possibly request; interior lining and the the price range. The one that I was interested in was the huge trunk that I will use as my chest box in my home. She also told me the price range would be around $ xx,000 and $xx,000.

*****************************************

SHATTERED TRUNK DREAM

After three (3 ) years I still did not forget my LV trunk dream. Danika was no longer with LV... But I was really smitten with the idea.

Sometime in January of this year I encountered this SA-- Cxxxxxxx. She was so rude and I just walked away forgetting my LV trunk!
sob..
********************************************

I am a huge fan of epi leather. I understand that some of the other LV styles may be too trendy but epi wears so well and to me does not look dated. I am not as careful with my bags as I should be, but epi takes a beating and looks good doing it.

Well, I love my Vuitton bags and luggage. I buy them for ME so I don't much care what other people say or think. Do other people carry fakes? Sure, but what pray tell does that have to do with me? I am defined by me, not by the bag I carry and as such, what difference does it make wo approves or disapproves of your bag. I love the snob girls, but I find it laughable that someone doesn't trust their own judgment as to their likes or dislikes to the point that they only by Snob approved bags. That's not style or taste, its mimicry!

If something doesn't work for you, then don't buy it, but it smacks of insecurity to put others down for buying what they like. A least they are being true to themselves and not sheep!

Snobby SA's ... I think snobby doesnt cover the attitude .. I own pretty much every LV in Epi, Damier and Suhali .. but will NEVER go into snobby selfridges (I am from the U.K) and be treated like a prisoner getting his weekly linen .. shopping is about experience and luxury shopping should aim to delight, awe-inspire and give tingly feelings not overwhelm and intimidate ...

plus this same bag on every woman's shoulder has to stop!!

As a new bag lover, I sticked to Bagsnob everyday, but never comments. Am so glad you talk about LV today, that makes me MUST say something. I am sick of monogram canvas also. Why? Tons of fake, too old and conservative style, too much exposure to popularity. Here I see LV logo everywhere, shopping mall, coffee, on the bus, in the fish market, 99.99% are fake. Most of the Chinese that are crazy for LV is not because they find the bags are so nice, only because they were told LV is the best bag in the world.

Sick, but same as Tina, I still like the Mahina XL in grey soft leather, the first time I am thinking of a LV bag. Giving up finally as it looks too much like luggage which I can't carry everyday. Galliera is good for to carry to work everyday, also give up, why? sick of monogram canvas. If changing to other material, I will take it, no hesitation.

As for my taste of bags, has to be logo free, or almost free or at least not to be so well known to everyone like LV meaning it has to be not in the IT bag list. I picked a Bally limited bag last Winter which I love it at the first sight and as time goes on, love it more and more and this Spring a Tod's not sure about the style name) and a Max Mara bag. Max Mara as the second line of Luxury, may not be considered by you girls, but take a look of their BAG in fake Python leather, really not bad.

Suggestion, I am always thinking, how to make the bag or how to wear the bag different from all the other same style bags? meaning make the bag YOUR bag by adding some accessories on the bag or change it here and there. You have so many fans here. Ask them, let us get inspired to play with our bags, not simply pay and take it as it is.

I'll never understand what people like about the current LV look. The standard brown/tan combination looks old, as in elderly. And no Jeanne M, that does not stem from jealousy or the inability to buy the bag (and I'm college age as well). It's just not aesthetically pleasing. The monogram plastered all over is a dated look. Coated canvas is not a high-quality material. I didn't grow up with a concept of the classic LV bag, so maybe that is why I'm more unimpressed by the line, no nostalgia for me.

I think LV needs to reassess who its target audience is and how to address their desires. It would be a horrible idea to introduce a lower priced line as one poster suggested, that would only dilute the brand name further. If they want to restore prestige, it has to be done by quality not increased pricing or increased market saturation.

I find this all very amusing...I am a POOR college student scraping by on my credit cards and $50 a week. When I take the shuttle to my campus on any given day, I see about 5+ LV bags at the bus stop (not even including my walk to class). While I must admit, I travel with authentic LV luggage borrowed from my fashionable mother, I would never drop the cash on something everyone would assume was fake anyways... (although I also loved the XL Mahina in white)

I am a bag Snob but I don't smirk at people who happen to carry a Speedy on their arm (providing it's not a fake one,obviously)
LV is still a very popular choice among British upper classes and I have seen aplenty women who can easily afford an Hermes bag carrying their LV around Knightsbridge.
Being a Snob is not about looking down at people,it's about being confident about what you're carrying. If it's well made,water resistant and can handle all your precious things then that's the most important thing-in UK anyway.
So I guess LV has to adapt different approaches on different continents and ditch Jacobs ASAP.
His bags seem a disaster to me, we love LV for their classic appeal not some monstrous daisies,jokes and other horrible things that Marc put on those poor bags.

If you are not a LV fan, no matter how global their campaign is, you still won't like their products. Personally I think the Speedy is most boring bag in the whole universe, so I definitely do not like the "classic". As far as the "trendy" design is concerned, it seems to consist in nothing more than a few graphic variations on the monogram theme (a bit of color on a white background; a splash of cherries; a smudged watercolor effect...) wrapped up by some hideous trimming in patent leather and clashing colors.

Well, at least you can be sure I won't feed the fake market, because the idea of wasting my money for a LV (real or fake) will never cross my mind :-)

I like asking the Snob girls for their advice not because I don't trust my taste but because I want to know if it is a wise investment. I am in my 20s and want to grow my collection and I lack their experience. but most importantly I trust their judgement. that said, I would like the mahina in gold. Tina, what size do you think I should get?

I see LV as a timeless brand but am tired of the gimmicky bags, I am embarassed to use my LV bags right now.

MJ has done what they wanted- brought in a young audience ten years ago like me. but now I am looking for more than the latest trend. I would like to see the brand expand without going for shock value, a stylish and beautifully made bag will stand the test of time but marketing ploys are transparent and ineffective.

as for rude SAs, I couldn't agree more. chanel has the best SAs, they are always courteous.

Apparently,I just did a 4000 words assignment on LV

For me, personaly, their products are ugly, but their marketing concepts are extremly beautiful and sophisticated.

The whole Core value campaign has been done exceptional well , the fact that they use some non- modern celebrity such as Keith Richards or Mikhail Gorbachev
are fantastic, so sick of Scarlett Johansson

I think they should stay with their traditional trunks and the whole travel goods, it suits their image better...

Snotty LV SAs seem to exist everywhere. We get it here in Singapore together with queues to get in even though the store is not crowded. When the SAs seem more preoccupied with chatting than serving you, when they seem to judge that you are not fit to breathe the same air as their bags, when they think that they are doing you a favour by letting you buy their bags....... it was time to move on.

I am a guy in his early 30's, grew up with my grandma and mom carrying LV monogram, never really paid attention to LV (was more of a Prada fan), until I was on a plane (pre-9/11) coming home to NYC on Japan Airline, that I witnessed the Japanese tourists with their LV luggage receiving preferred treatment even for economy class (they were allowed to bring them in as carry-on, even if they has 3, 4 pieces). For my next trip to LA, I went and got some Damier pieces and they worked like MAGIC getting them as extra carry-ons into the plane, but of course, it was pre-9/11.
I missed the graffiti collection, but kept my eyes open and got one of the highly sought contes des fees begger bag as a collector's item, and that landed me on the front on the list for Murakami's Eye Dare You giant bag, and I began to special order interesting pieces, mostly for art and fun of it. My collection includes yellow Epi suitcase and vache (the untanned, untreated calf leather) keepall, champagne bag, and the Murakami panda jewlery box. I used to carry a Damier messenger bag for work, but recently I changed to the black Taiga collection for more of a grown-up look. The fever to collect many LV pieces had died down for me slightly, since there aren't that many interesting or fashion men's pieces. So I like LV for the art and collectible interests, but seeing a speedy in every women's hands, real or not, dilutes the appeal.

I've just started my LV collection but not with their classic lines. I prefer to buy LE and have started off the Mirage Speedy in Bordeaux, as well as a Cerises Speedy (pre-loved and genuine). It gets pretty tiring seeing about 30+ Speedies, Neverfulls, Tivolis or Palermos a day... have promised myself never to join the common gang! Add to that, there have been numerous feedback that the quality is deteriorating!

LV luggage and trunks are the best! they last forever and are indestructible. as Tina said, her vintage set given to her will last beyond her lifetime, she can pass it down to her own granddaughter one day. that, to me, is the appeal of LV.

so as a loyal LV luggage collector, I would like to advise LV to stick with the luggage and lose the silly bags from MJ! .

My Lovelies,

I am certain LV will be addressing the rudeness issue with their SAs after reading your comments!
xoxo

Not to Louis. I am 24 years old and have never been a fan of LV bags. Personally, they have gone rather trendy over the years. They now remind me of Coach bags. That's not a compliment either. The Monogram Multicolore should have never happened. To me, that was their downfall. Steadily trying to appeal to the trendy and younger audience, but they seemed to miss the mark. Im surprised that they dont understand how fashion trends work. One day you're in, next day you are out, as Heidi would say. I think the brand would be timeless if they didn't overdo the logos on their products. Personally, I prefer subtlety over in-your-face, "Look at me, I'm wearing a Louis Vuitton." If those bags are supposed to be a symbol of status, not anymore. They should get that people are so over feeling as if they need to validate their self worth by walking around with a SCREAMING OUT LOUD handbag. Personally, I prefer Prada or Fendi. They have a classier appeal.

Here's my take, people are tired of the ugly canvis LV logo, you can't dress it up. I would suggest LV come up with a logo hardware piece that goes on all the bags so they are recognized as LV then use some lovely lambskin buttery soft leather without a logo all over it. I do like the Epi and other leathers but they are soooo heavy and stiff. A lightweight elegant leather with LV hardware would be a hit. Examples are Jimmy Choo and Chanel's hardware that you can't miss and what about Gucci's horsebit or Hysteria, it's all in the hardware.

I bought my first LV speedy at 18 and then i have bought one more monogrammed LV (the eclipse) on a trip to Ireland. Since then I have collected LV in luggage,a suhali, epi briefcase in rivera style (in paris), a few vernis bags in hot pink, red and the amarante colors and the limited edition handbags like the limelight clutch in salmon and the motard bag. HOWEVER in the last year or so, i have been buying almost exclusive Chanel and HERMES which I LOVE LOVE LOVE. Marc Jacob's recent collections of LV bags are just a mess (all the hardwares are very similar to his Marc Jacob collections, which I have also stopped buying). His new collection with the bad taste jokes and the wild colors based on spongebob is ridiculous! While I actually have a very nice LV SA, I just cannot bring myself to buy another LV..the style of some of these new bags are just too cheap looking, esp when one compares them to other brands like YSL or Chanel or even the new fendi baguette (i just bought one in red)..of course nothing stacks up against Hermes..it's in a class by itself.

Hi Tina,

What you think of the impact that Victoria Beckham had on Hermes? The number of fake Birkin bags has gone through the roof since she's started carrying them.

Lina,

Having a celebrity carry a bag is a surefire way to ensure it's popularity. As much as we say they are not important, the sad truth is-- they are.

I don't necessarily think it's a negative impact; but I do think for a brand to remain exclusive, they need to take measures not to over saturate the market. Hermes has adapted this route; no matter how popular the birkin is, they still maintain a limited number in production to ensure high quality.

As for the fake birkins, it's obvious when people are carrying fakes because we know they are so hard to acquire. And those people who carry fake bags (of any brand) should be ashamed and embarrassed!

Bag Snob lesson of the day: "DO NOT BUY FAKES!"

Buy the best bag your budget allows, whether it's an Hermes, Louis Vuitton, or Coach. But the real thing.
xoxo

I love certain LVs because I believe they are classics that will never go out of style. I am not a huge fan of the monogram other than on luggage and travel pieces, but I love my Speedys and black epi Alma. The newer bags such as the Mahina are very nice. I believe a lot of the lines are overpriced (like denim) but the quality and craftsmanship of small leather goods is excellent... I have a vernis pochette wallet as well. That's my take on LV-- classic, easy to wear (for me, I'm not flashy), sturdy, overpriced. But I do love my LVs.

Recently, I decided to invest in a high quality luggage set. Louis Vuitton, Goyard and Globe Trotter were first to come to mind because of their history. But as I embarked on a month long trip through the USA and Europe I was horrified to realize almost every single piece of LV luggage I saw in the airports were fake....good fakes, bad fakes, but fake none the less. I was so turned off, as soon as I landed in London, I marched into the Globe Trotter store and bought my new luggage. It can't get more anonymous and logo-free than that.

When I think of Louis Vuitton, three distinct images come to mind...the chic older women on the streets of paris with their battered old LV bags, and then more negatively, the paris hilton types and the knock-off wearers. I like the idea of Louis Vuitton returning to their roots. Profits are one thing, but I feel like the soul of the company is getting very lost. At this point, I would rather invest in Hermes, Bottega or a smaller brand like Valextra because on top of being well made and timeless, they remain exlusive and somewhat more unknown (minus birkin knock-offs).

On a side note, most of the time I dont bother going into LV stores because they are like zoo's...especially in Vancouver and Paris. I don't like having to beg for someone to help me. I get tired and head over to VBH or Chanel :)

Louis Vuitton has a lot of potential, I just think they need to slow down with the whole LVMH/congolmerate/empire thing before it ruins the brand(ref: Burberry and chav culture in England!)

I will always love LV, I don't care who else is wearing it and whether they are using fakes or not. I only care about how I feel when I carry my LV bags. Which is fabulous. And isn't that what it's all about anyway? How one feels?

If you don't like it, don't buy it. Leave it to us!

I have mixed feelings concerning LV. I own one monogram bag from several years ago and recently bought an Epi bag in the most gorgeous purple color. I literally stopped in my tracks when I walked by the door and saw it on display. I do have to say that the SAs at the Honolulu store in Ala Moana are very friendly and don't treat you like crap just because you are a local resident and not a Japanese tourist. But I am distressed about the amount of fakes I see all over town which is why I'll probably never use my monogram bag again.

LV is still the SNOB of all purses. Why? They never and will Never go on sale. And it is THE only brand that never goes on sale. I love my LV bags just as much as I love my YSL, GUCCI, FENDI and all my other designer bag. It's a CLASSIC.

I used to love LV, be it the bags, shoes or clothes. I particularly loved their Eye Love limited editions and the cherry blossom range and will always keep these bags. However I think shortly after the release of those limited bags they went completely downhill...they started doing all sorts of crazy stuff...saying it was limited and then mass producing a cheaper version a few months later..I mean what is all that multicolor about??? I still don't understand it. I also heard that LV actually recycle everything that doesn't sell, that would probably explain alot!

As for the SAs, I used to find them very rude and snobby about 10 years ago, and that I guess was at my peak, when I really loved LV. However nowadays (I still go in there to buy my husband his ties and shoes), I find that the SAs are falling all over you to get a sale and can't do enough for you, whether in London, in Paris or HK..I have to say, ironically that really puts me off - I kind of preferred it when they were snobby and less in your face - that gave the brand a certain prestige, nowadays the experience of going into a LV shop is just like going to the market!

Miffy- are you saying you want to be treated badly for the privilege of buying a $2000 bag? That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!

No, I don't want to be treated badly but at the same time I don't want to have SAs crawling all over me every time I enter a store, bombarding me to buy something! Before the service was sometimes snobby but when you finally did get your turn they would sit you down with a drink, be it coca cola or champagne and the SA would be very knowledgeable, they would even bring out special stuff from the back. Nowadays you don't get any of that, as soon as you go in, it's just like a market, they just want to make a kill, literally persuade you to buy whatever. That doesn't work for me. This is only my personal preference.

LV is too hyped up, the print of LV's and flowers or whatever isn't even cute and can be seen on the arms of 12 year old girls at the mall, ew, not cute

I agree w/ a statement made by Lori earlier in the listing. The LV, Dooney and Coach are way over produced in the market. I will not buy any of the brands. When you purchase a luxury item you wanta some unique feeling.

I walked into the LV shop and walked out- I couldn't take it. And If i see another poorly constructed fake coach or LV bag in the street - let alone in my office building I'm going to scream. <-- I just did!

Bon Voyage! I've been to Paris in March and I can't wait to go back...
xoxo

I agree with the posters who placed LV in the same category as Coach and Dooney & Bourke.

Unfortunately, MH-LV was too slow in controlling the counterfeiters and makers of knock-off and so LV has lost its brand image (which it worked very hard to obtain, imo).

I live in 2 states: coastal CA & southern NM and travel between my two residences frequently. What I am seeing is that LV occupies the same strata as Dooney & Bourke - at least this is what I am seeing in Texas, NM, AZ, and California. LV is definitely the province of a certain demographic and is their brand of choice.

I do not know if LV is aware of this or not, but nearly all of those who carry LV, fake or counterfeit or otherwise real, look as though they just got released from prison. :/

No one who I know in Cali who has money carries LV anymore and if you do, it is frowned upon and a sure way to get askance looks.

I recently bought another bag (four figures) and it was most definitely NOT LV. For me, bags I am loving are Lanvin and Prada.

I feel so sorry for all those who invested in a genuine LV only to see copies on every shoulder in town.

Sort of like seeing your investment portfolio drop 80%.

I hope that my message is being understood in a positive, purposeful way.

Thank you, Bag Snobs, for making this message board available to us. :)

the tour is something I would like to do, can't wait to read about it.

I have to disagree with many of you. I do not think LV has gone the route of Coach. Yes, the market is oversaturated with fakes and real bags alike but the same could be said for Chanel and now the birkin bag. I will not give up my LV bags because I love them, regardless of what anyone thinks. the brand went through a rough time at the end of the excessive 80's but came back stronger than ever, which I expect will happen again.

I think for LV to be able to make a comeback with credibility (for me at least), they will have to really make a concerted effort to go after the counterfeiters on eBay, the suppliers for purse parties where these things are also sold, and stop supplying outfits such as Bag Borrow or Steal where the brand name has been reduced to a rental.

They would have to stop marketing to *everyone* and I just do not know if MH-LV Group is capable of doing that anymore due to the market changes they have created.

Had they not followed that marketing plan, they would still be able to carry the label through this world financial crisis by having a niche market that is immune from downturns.

They have so mass-marketed the label that at this point, I think it would take at least 5 years (by that time the fakes would have worn out and would be unusable for carrying anything) - maybe 10, to recover the luxury/craftsmanship label.

Otherwise, LV will continue to be known as "sub-prime" and have the "affordable luxury" (like Coach & D & B) or "aspirational" (Target lines) tag no matter what the design.

envy is bad...? but i can't help it. the hermes private museum! that would be so fun! i think all lines have their good and bad, with the exception of hermes, i haven't met something i didn't like there, but there have been some i don't love. to each their own, but i like a post from tina where she suggested to get what you can as long as it's not fake. counterfiet bad, authentic good, whatever's in the budget. i turn 30 next year and have begun my hermes collection. louis was good for my 20s and i will consider pieces that come along, not monogramed for the future. and my SA there has rocked! they are all so kind to me and the other customers in my observations, maybe it's the location.

Ugh, your life is my dream.

Anyway, I used to be a die-hard collector when I was 19 (almost ten years ago). Now, the bag is kind of cliche in the metropolitan area I live in. It seems that every woman and her mother are carrying one (or a bad knockoff). While I still believe the bags to be beautiful and well-made, they no longer have the cache and exclusivity they once had.

I now collect Marc Jacobs bags (not too far a cry from Louis Vuitton anymore) because they are not as popular where I live and therefore, I don't have to be worried about seeing 10 other girls with my bag.

I should say, I think its wonderful that LV bags begin at a lower price point than most designer accessories houses.

How exciting all of this is becoming! I think you are spot-on with being excited to go to the original Atelier, as from what I am able to glean, you feel the same way as most of us to do about the brand in its current state. I love the comments the people at LV made about the returning to the classics. I cannot wait for this. I hope some day my fashion blog becomes exciting enuogh for people to read and get invited to do some of the amazing things you are getting the opportunity to do. I do hope that the bigwigs at Hermes allow you to take pictures inside the museum and workshop, where I'm sure you'll also be given a tour. YAY LUXURY FASHION!

I really don't understand how you can possibly compare LV to Coach-I am sorry but at least in UK Coach is something you can buy in TK Maxx (chain of off-price department stores,part of T.J Maxx) for £20 and most of them end up on sale even there. I haven't seen LV there just yet! And as for fakes,you can get a Chanel fake and a Birkin fake as well and trust me,I've seen plenty of Birkins&Chanel in London-doubt all of them were real! As I've said before,a true bag snob wants quality and does not bother about chavs wearing fake stuff.
xoxo

I hope you make a video clip or too.

I'm so looking forward to your updates on your return. And excited for you!!

Do you think there is a chance you get a 'grab bag' at the end of the tour? I wish!

I've always liked LV in their traditional style, but less so in their rainbow of colors as of late. Reminds me of Google.

btw, your photo in the red dress looks great!

The fakes have definitely been a big problem with LV.There are just so many of them.I have had LV bags for a very long time.I have 2 I have kept for sentimental reasons.One is a limited edition designed by ALAIA about 10 years ago. Its the Alma style with leopard haircalf. People still stop me when I carry it.
A few months ago I bought a speedy in The Damier Azur with a smaller Pouchette to hang from it.That adds a little more style and I added the shoulder strap for ease. I do carry it some .I really love my large Chanel classics and Hermes kellys more.I have a Goyard Saigon from Barneys which is really great too.I have NEVER seen another person with the Goyard Saigon.

LV was THE brand. I had to fly to Hong Kong in the early 80's to buy them. Today, I am not so keen as the design are not my cup of tea, eg. Tisse, Jokes, Tahitiennes & Matard to name a few. Secondly, the bags are mass produced now and when I go to any mall in KL, loads of ladies are carrying them. Well, for now all my Epi's, Vernis and Monograms have to stored in the wardrobe. I will still purchase a LV but only limited editions if it takes my fancy.

By the way, have a good time in the Hermes Museum. I wish I could go too.

Just wondering since most of the negative vibes are pointed towards the monogram canvass, is there any good or bad views on its Damier line?

For me, this is more subtle and 2 styles caught my eye. Seriously considering getting one but still evaluating the price. I have never spent more than $500 on a bag so this is like splurging for me. But have been doing well at work and need a "prestige" bag. Also like the Epi LVs but they seem to be catered to older women.

Thanks.

i've contemplated buying an lv bag many times but always end up not buying b/c of the ubiquitousness of the speedy and other popular styles. And it's not the knockoffs, either. because i know that women and girls save up all their money to buy their first LVs.

The overwhelming number of stores means democratic access (a good thing, but lessens the cachet of exclusivity), so it doesn't feel as special. LV bags have also become synonymous with abercrombie-wearing teenagers, and also the brand has diluted itself among the masses so much, that LV is seen as an entry level designer bag somewhat like Coach.

My friends in manhattan (all stylish girls in our 20s and 30s working in fashion & media) do not have LV's, b/c the bags represent of Malls, mass production, mainstream, outer boroughs, Canal Street, excessive consumption, and tourists. In the fashionable scenes here, indie and understated is key. Lauren Merkin, Gryson, Foley & Corinna, etc.

LV has nothing considered indie, insider, or understated. It's just not downtown or cool at all.

quite simply, too many people have LV bags. we don't want to blend in.

i've contemplated buying an lv bag many times but always end up not buying b/c of the ubiquitousness of the speedy and other popular styles. And it's not the knockoffs, either. because i know that women and girls save up all their money to buy their first LVs.

The overwhelming number of stores means democratic access (a good thing, but lessens the cachet of exclusivity), so it doesn't feel as special. LV bags have also become synonymous with abercrombie-wearing teenagers, and also the brand has diluted itself among the masses so much, that LV is seen as an entry level designer bag somewhat like Coach.

My friends in manhattan (all stylish girls in our 20s and 30s working in fashion & media) do not have LV's, b/c the bags represent of Malls, mass production, mainstream, outer boroughs, Canal Street, excessive consumption, and tourists. In the fashionable scenes here, indie and understated is key. Lauren Merkin, Gryson, Foley & Corinna, etc.

LV has nothing considered indie, insider, or understated. It's just not downtown or cool at all.

quite simply, too many people have LV bags. we don't want to blend in.

cindy:

Well stated!

I'm commenting as someone who just bought a Monogramme Carryall weekend bag just two weeks ago. I've already used it twice for trips and it's sublimely sturdy and roomy. Just what I needed. I anticipate having it for at least 10/15 years. At that price, I better! They've introduced some decent "new classic" day bags recently - like the "Manhattan" (PM size only - the larger one has oddly, an different and very annoying fastening). The interesting things about the MJ stuff is that you ONLY ever see it on celebs like (LOL) Ashlee Simpson, who have obviously been gifted the bag. You NEVER actually see it on the street! That's because they're all HIDEOUS! We go to LV to buy timeless pieces - not gimmicky one-seasoners! We can go elsewhere for that!

I have two LV bags - a black multicolore and a classic monogram city bag. Both were gifts, and I am ashamed to say that I never use them. I find that they go with absolutely nothing that I wear, and I think them quite ugly.

Personally I hate the speedy bags - not because they're so common or so frequently faked - but because they pull and sag in such an ugly fashion.

I know that their canvass lasts an age...but really...its just canvass. I don't feel comfortable spending that amount of money for canvass.

Now the Epi leather range...that's a different story. lol

Hi Bag Snobs.

I've finally decided to get an LV even with the not so good reviews it has gotten. I want a classic bag that will last for years - even if its just canvass. From where I'm from, they consider chanel for old ladies and haven't heard of 95% of the bags you rave about. Plus most of them are way over my budget.

As you've mentioned earlier, it doesn't matter what we get as long as it fits our budget and its NOT a Fake, right?! =)

Anyways, I've narrowed my choices to the Damier Berkley or the Damier Belem. Maybe you can help me decide between the 2? I like the size coz I'm petite. The Griet would have been nice but its way too big for me.

Thanks and hope to hear from you guys.

Hi Anonymous! How exciting for you. Let's see, I would go with the Belem. It is fresh, young and timelessly stylish. I just love the shape! I have LV bags from the 60s, they are very durable.

I love the original timeless and classic pieces from LV. Let me know what you got. Enjoy!
xoxo

Thanks Tina.

I value your judgment a lot and the Belem is actually my first choice =)

Will be flying to Singapore this weekend with colleagues and hope to get the bag there.

In case its not available, am looking at their Epi line too - Cassis color. Dont know why but I just love the purple shade. Black just doesn't do it for me.

Wish me luck!

There is no greater addiction for me than a fabulous purse. While my overly distended budget cannot afford multiple Nancy Gonzalez or Chanel bags or even one Hermes, I still devote a large portion of my paycheck and credit limits to getting more designer purses and felt the need to comment on the LV debate, even if it is already long belabored...

I started my LV obsession by acquiring a few small Monogram canvas pieces because that was the most affordable, but I too was dismayed by its over-proliferation in the press and on the streets. What was even more disturbing was the quality (or lack thereof) of its famous Speedy or that many of their pieces aren't made in France anymore. However, I was happier when I moved onto the Damier print or the Epi line because anyone who loves LV would recognize it, but the average schmo is less likely to appreciate it.

I too am not impressed with the overly "avant garde" styles they try to sell you as being cool or hip (like the Frankenstein's monster version of mismatched print and textures from a season or two ago?). I think they need to go back to their classic approach to design.
Regardless of style, the LV bags are still incredibly durable and functional. Yes, the Speedy may be boring and ubiquitous, but there is no bag better suited for folding down flat into my luggage and popping open to carry all my essentials including a cashmere wrap.

I WILL NEVER BUY A FAKE and I amuse myself by playing "spot the fake" whenever I see someone approaching with an LV of any style.

For now, I limit my use of LV and actually use them for practical situations and save my "better" bags for the special occasions. I also held off on buying my first Speedy until I went to France so I could have one that says Made in France (because what's the point of buying one that is made here - no offense to all you U.S. laborers) and I am proud of that one. I also am proud of my Special Ordered Cabas Mezzo made in the Damier Canvas because it is made in France and made for me.

Frankly, I hope LV is being completely sincere by wanting to hear from Bag Snob readers and their own clientèle who want to believe that LV can be great again. Until then, I will hold onto what I have, limit any new purchases, and will keep my fingers crossed for the future.

Wow! I just found this blog today and I thought I was the only LV 'historian' who was a little disappointed in the direction the company has taken of late.

My stance is no where near as harsh as some of yours, however. Louis Vuitton is and will always be my first luxury brand of choice when it comes to my luggage and hand bags. In terms of quality and history, to me there is no comparison.

My collection is made up of primarily Epi leather, black Epi leather. I was lucky enough to purchase 2 pieces the first year the line was introduced and still own them to this day. They are still very beautiful. My black Noe (now 12 years old), still gets stares when I wear it. I do own a few Vernis pieces as well.

My logo canvas pieces are limited to classic handbag pieces (Noe, Montsouris, etc.) and luggage.

I remember a few years back, Mercedes Benz introduced several models that appealed to the middle-income earner (purchasing Chrysler). They were trying to tap into a market being dominated by competitors. Big marketing disaster. They quickly learned that diluting the brand may increase the bottom line in the short term, however, it also damages the brand going forward. They've since sold off the Chrysler line and returned to what makes (or made) Mercedes Benz, well, Mercedes Benz.

In saying that I, too, hope the powers that be at LV will return to the practices of old and bring back the aura of classic luxe that, when done right, is second to none. One major step in the right direction was pursuing (and winning) the lawsuit against eBay. Yes, there needs to be much improvement in protecting the brand, but

I look forward to my next purchase...

hi everyone, this is an old debate but so funny.
First of all i'm different from you because i'm a man.
Yes every girl out there has a speedy, but few mens have LV bags. So i don't really have the problem. The Damier looks much better on mens as well for some reason. Make girls look like chocolate addicts, but looks like Indiana Jones is back when you're a guy.
Second, i live in Paris. FYI.

To me, Louis Vuitton is and will always be the one and only, the classic, and i'm pretty sure all of you will end up buying one more sometime soon despite the fact that counterfeit bags makes obviously no good to the brand. People look at you and wonder "is it a true one" and then you go to your local TARGET and everyone seems to have one and yet they're buying low priced Spaghettis and "CHEAP COLA" (hum i do too BTW)...

About the SA's in LA, well i have no idea, only went to "Shoe City" and "Tony Roma's". But in Paris i'm treated like a Prince, they offer me champagne and stuff even if i'm not buying. I'm not a BIG buyer at all, but the second time i went to the same store they recognised me and called me by my name.

I've been "testing" every LV store in Paris and here's my advice: BY FAR, the best ones are "St Germain des Prés" (in front of the church) and Avenue Montaigne (right after the DIOR BABY store).

All the others are for tourists, and they basically get hundreds of hysteric desperate 20-something asian girls with so-called rich 40 Y/O caucasian accountants or even worse, chinese families trying to look like they're the new cool rich and powerful Jet Set shopping with their brand new "nike air" white trainers - the one no one would wear outside a tennis court...

These tourists are waiting in line and buying anything, as ugly as it gets ( yes the murakami design..). Basically they get on the SA's nerves because they are smart like a family value pack of kellog's cereals, act pretentious and treat the salesman - who ARE smart - like smelly cats (Thanks Pheebs).
Showing off and trying to look like you have money is the LAST thing you want to do in PAris. Money is a crime here. You want to look "elegant", not rich. You look like a tourist is exaclty what you do NOT want to hear - it means you look terrible.

So they usually get the inexperienced bilingual fresh new graduates. The GOOD SA's are for the French, Russian and European customers - who usually go to... St Germain des prés, Av montaigne. That's where you'll get the "Buying Experience".
The SA"s are extremely experimented, they know what you need and what you don't, and they don't even try to sell you the Murakami because they think it's SO for the people i stated above - People who want the logo to be as visible as their brand new Nike Air trainers.

Now about the brand.
They sell what people are buying. So basically, if some people can't see why the "UTAH" looks 10 000x better than the Murakami, well just sell them the ugly one what the hell.
After all, some people even think D&G is a luxury brand (like most Italian Brands they sell social status to the middle class).

So don't say you don't like LV, you do, but you just don't want to look like a NY Gansta with a Fake Monogram wallet or a girl next door with a Speedy she bought after selling her brother's "Playstion" on ebay.

Granted, a lot of designer's bags are cooler in 2008, but will they still be cool in 2, 10, 30 years ?
No, but LV will still be what it is today.
And that's why you love your vintage ones so much.

LV realized that and now they're back to the basics. Bags, built to last, and to travel, and not just fashion accessories.
They have nothing to prove, their early designs stand the test of time.

I just recently discovered this blog and love it! I have several classic LV monogram handbags and an Epi Alma which is one of my favorite bags. All of my handbag accessories (wallet, checkbook, agenda, cosmetic pouch) are also LV monogram. I have an obsession with everything inside my handbag matching! I love that the monogram is classic and neutral and it looks great with casual looks such as jeans and a solid color top. However, it does bother me that every other person I see has one and many are probably fake, so like many others I'm starting to rethink the logos. I recently visited Gucci with intentions of buying a logo bag (I have two Gucci logo shoulder bags that I also love), but I did decide while in the boutique that the logo bags just looked to common and are so often copied by distributors of fakes. I ended up buying a red guccisima leather bag that is the perfect deep shade of red and the logos on the corners are barely noticeable. Bottom line, I remain loyal to the LV bags that I already own, but will probably not purchase anymore, unless they are the Epi leather. After doing much reading on this site, I think my next purchase will be an orange birkin.

In my previous comment I forgot to address the snobby SA's. I live in Cincinnati and the only place to buy LV is the boutique in Saks. They are friendly and helpful and even when I've gone in just to look, with no intention of buying, I've been treated very well. Now on the other hand, the Gucci boutique in Washington D.C. where I bought the red handbag - not so nice! Not until I returned to the store and the SA realized I was actually going to purchase the $1500 bag she barely took the time to show me. If I hadn't of loved it so much, I wouldn't have gone back. Sorry, I know this is supposed to be about LV!

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