Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Facebook
News of Chanel laying off 200 employees has me officially panicked. I am not sure why I am freaking out but I have anxiety right now. Enough of the gloom and doom but if the House of Chanel can't keep it together, what chances do the others have? I am just hoping all of you snobbers stay the course and continue to do your part as patriotic Americans and SHOP (but you probably should stay within your budget since shopping beyond one's means is how we got to this mess)-- as a reader told me yesterday, the world is not ending! Though according to the Russians, the US will be splitting up next year. An insane Russian professor claims we are headed for Civil War and California will become a part of China (even more reason for me to move back to LA-- at least I speak Chinese and can help translate and/or help citizens acclimate to its new government), Texas will go to Mexico and New York will join the European Union (yeah, you Europeans would love to get the Big Apple wouldn't you?). But in response to Prof. Panarain's idiotic claims-- civil war and the end of the US is about as likely as me throwing all of my birkins in my toilet.
The End of the US? Not!
Read other entries in:
38 Comments
Leave a comment
"Bag Snobs: The Ultimate Bag Experts."
-
New York Magazine
"Bag Snob recommendations are like a priest's blessing"
-
LA Times
"Bag Snob can dissect a handbag's construction with the artisto-analytic rigor of an architect."
-
New York Sun
"Top Fashion Blogs de Mode."
-Paris Vogue
"Bag Snob infallibly predicts which new bag is the must have."
-British Vogue
"Unabashed and honest reviews of the ultimate accessory, the handbag."
-Women's Wear Daily
"The best website in the history of websites, like, ever!"
-The Guardian
"Bag Snob can make or break a bag, and possibly the brand behind it."
-The Guardian
"The Pioneers of the Industry."
-Globe and Mail
Love your blog, but you're wrong here. The US is in serious trouble. I don't want it to be true, but take it from a student of geopolitics: we face a serious crisis over the next generation, and the scenario the professor lays out is not ridiculous. The average folks are where the "idiotic" stuff is coming from (in the form of cluelessness.)
WTF?
Anonymous fan, you clearly are not American
That made me laugh a little. Because an American would never admit their own country is in serious trouble? I can see what the first poster is getting at - America is in trouble. And truth be told, I'm afraid Obama will end up the next JFK... I mean, remember all of those people who swore they would never vote for him because they didn't want a black man (or Arab or Muslim, depending on how stupid the people you were talking to were) running the country? Yeah, they still exist. I don't think we're going to be breaking up anytime soon, though. I mean, Texas joining Mexico? FTW? That will NEVER happen. They'd be more likely to strike out on their own. I mean, that whole area is the heartland of racism, isn't it? Why would they join up with MEXICO, of all places?? Not everyone who lives there, obviously, but that's the common conception of the South, right? Well, I don't live there, so what do I know...
I think the map looks pretty weird but I agree with Kaytey. The country is now seen as a collection of blue and red states. There are many issues that various regions flatly disagree about. When you think conservative, do you think of the South? Gayrights - California? High unemployment - The North? We need to be very aware of the Constitution and our rights. There are those trying to erode what this country was built on...ie, take God out of everything.
I know that further down Anastasia wrote something about peace not coming out of war. I guess we need to rethink our civil wars then? I do not pretend to have all of the answers but I think keeping our allies in check is a very good idea.
I love the BagSnob but not for what I can personally afford. The most expensive purse in my closet cost less than $200. Don't faint. These times won't mean cutting back on Neiman Marcus because I couldn't shop there anyway.
I don't know what to say about Chanel, except to say that the house of Chanel is more renowned for its apparel than its accessories, many of which are over the top in terms of price. Many fashion forums in Australia (e.g. Vogue) have pointed out the fact that Chanel mass produces some of its accessories, and the prices for ready-to-wear at the Sydney flagship store are OTT. In this economic climate, a ten thousand dollar jacket (even in AUD) can seem ridiculous. Such prices can be appreciated for made to measure/haute couture, but for ready to wear...aren't enough to make employees feel secure or confident. Houses traditionally associated with luggage, like LV, are more accessible to consumers, the traditional styles aren't so ridiculous but Marc Jacobs' fugly & overpriced creations will probably bomb.
In terms of Russians and their views? Russia is at a higher risk of a civil war, with Putin casting a formidable Stalin-esque shadow. Many ex-pat Russian billionaires have chosen to live in the UK than remain in Moscow. But Obama will have his work cut for him this year, especially with the ongoing sequel in Israel, the obstinate Israeli government, the increasing death toll (Palestinian civilians) compared to the relatively low Israeli toll. Then there's the US economy. It's really a shopper's wet dream now; sales will dominate the globe in 2009 but that doesn't mean that the economy will go back to what it was from retail sales alone.
I doubt that Europe would love to have NY, there are much more aesthetically pleasing cities now, such as Shanghai and downtown Dubai (that will soon unveil the tallest building in the world).
I agree, as for the sales, I love to shop but even the 70% off discounts are not enough to make me spend my money-this whole credit crunch is a real eye opener-I've recently re-organized my wardrobe and was astonished at the amount of stuff that I will never wear again! It made me think twice about what I should be buying and now I prefer custom made jewellery, very classic handbags and clothes that will not date easily. Don't want to add to the gloom but I think it's time to re-think our values.
Amen to Anastasia and Lina! I have cut back tremendously the last couple of months. I am in South Florida for a while and the local Chanel boutique has been empty, when I have been there and had fewer employees in November. I usually buy Chanel from Neiman's in Atlanta, because of relationships I have there, etc. I am trying to shop in my closet!! I have some bags, which have barely been carried. Sadly, I am afraid the PARTY IS OVER. At least as we knew it. Remember remember real class and style will always survive!! You don't need the latest .
I agree with anonymous that America is in serious trouble. We are not in recession, more like "depression." With so many people losing their jobs, more companies laying off or shutting down, it will only get much worse before it gets better. Anyone who goes to the stores or malls lately can see sales racks everywhere. Saks had 70% off Chanel apparels in NY area! (unheard of before). I bought Chanel jackets for the first time because they are actually at a reasonable price. That being said, I must agree with Tina and the others, we are entering into another era where excess consumption is over. Personally, I have never bought "junk" at the stores, even with "sales" now, I find most of those items to be very low quality.
As for Chanel, I m not surprised that they are cutting staff and as sad as that seems, Chanel, as well as the other luxury houses really need to evaluate their prices b/c in the last 5 years, remember the days when a $1000 bag was considered VERY expensive? now any new bag coming out is $1500-2000 or more at Neimans, with most of those bags being "trendy"and people just use them for one season. Most of them are just bland, some even ugly, plus they all rip off each other. ie Gucci's hysteria logo is a rip off of Versace's Medusa logo; Marc Jacob's quilted bag is either a "rip off" or a homage to chanel, depending on your point of view. In the past few years, I have stuck to the classics of H and Chanel bags (and a few limited edition bags that i fell in love with), and those will last me forever, versus just through a few seasons. My philosophy is very similar to Tina's, buy what's classic and you will have it for life. Plus I hate carrying bags everyone else carry.
With respect to the US, we will survive this crisis but it will be 2-3 years before the markets will start to pick up again, but the era of over consumption will be over, at least for another decade or so. History has shown people have short memories.
With all the doom and gloom, I am very glad Tina and Kelly have this website b/c it provides an escape for those of us who truly love and appreciate bags and other beautiful things.
Have a Happy NEW YEAR to the bagsnobs and also quick question to Tina and Kelly: do you two celebrate chinese new year's with your family? this yr it falls on my birthday, so i'm hoping it brings some luck:)! Ping
It's definitely time to re-think the way we shop, the "consumption just to consume" era is over.
I recently had a photographer photograph contents of my closet and it allowed me to take stock of what I have-- which is mostly timeless pieces from my favorite designers.
My friends told me to clear my closet out and get rid of things I don't wear but I've done that since my '20s. I actually wear all the things in my closet now because I am mindful of each purchase.
That's not to say I don't buy on a whim but I do that less often now.
As for the comment from Anonymous Fan, Geopolitic expert I am not and I do acknowledge we are in trouble but Americans are survivors, we will get out of this. And don't think our failures won't affect China, Europe, and the rest of the world.
Well said Anastasia!
In all honesty I haven't bought a Chanel jacket in years-- the prices have become really ridiculous. I already have many Chanel jackets collected through the last 15 years and it's enough to hold me over for the next decade or two.
Hi Tina,
That Russian academic is off his trolley. Americans are fortunate with prices, especially for apparel and accessories. By the time a Chanel jacket arrives in Australia, its price is hiked due to customs taxes and goods and services tax. Usually pricier than its US retail price. In my spare time (as mad as it seems lol) I browse US retail sites just to compare before I set out shopping. My latest buy, a LV 'everyday' monogram bag (everyday meaning it's not one of Jacobs' overpriced atrocities) is actually cheaper than the US (even after currency conversions - which shocked me). I don't think a woman can ever have enough classics in her closet; variety isn't a terrible thing, but yes definitely. Shopping habits will change, maybe shoppers will be forced at heel, reduce the amount of frivolous buys (items they know are ridiculous in terms of design/eye sores/price).
I'm wondering how people like Victoria Beckham will cope?
On a serious note. Designers like Marc Jacobs, and that other guy at Coach (I forget his name) are going to have to rethink their marketing campaigns because the majority of women (who keep retail registers afloat) have lives; it's not in my nature to offend anyone, but collecting Hermes bags (like Victoria) is also a cover up for other insecurities/frustrations. I can understand investing in something that will last years, and therefore pay itself off, but what I don't get is when high profile women purchase everything, even a lime green bag (lime green is so 'Wham!' Eighties) - Victoria is likely to order a Birkin in Lime green - and still expect to be admired. Do something for the less fortunate in their communites? Such as children? Never heard of.
Sorry to digress from the topic, but calling the Israeli government obstinate? Are you implying that Israel should just allow Hamas to keep shooting Ketushas at civilians and wait years and years after the intifada started to finally fire back?
America has few REAL allies, and Israel is one of them.
Please, check your facts before only hearing a sob story from one side.
I don't want to start on the entire Israeli conflict, but I think humanity is beyond the myth of peace through war. Also, compare the death toll from the passing week. I think I'll be 100 and this conflict will still go on. If the US ignores its domestic issues, ie the economy, to focus on the Israeli conflict, the conflict will only continue. If Israel's allies put their foot down, maybe just maybe the Israel government would actually take peace negotiations seriously.
In regard to sob stories?
Both sides are just as blood hungry. Governments are known to fuel wars for their own fringe benefits. It's what maintained the Ottomon occupation for centuries in Europe, even after European countries gained independence, the construction of the 'new' Turkey, saw many massacres, but if we take on historical detail into consideration, only the concentration camps really matter, isn't it so? Don't get me to that historical spot RC. Every year there are remembrances for the Holocaust, the Romany population that was almost wiped out during WWII at Auschwitz and Birkenau and the handicapped and homosexual sectors of the population are ignored during the holocaust remembrances because only the Jewish holocaust victims matter. Isn't that so? Isn't that a huge sob story? Yes the Israeli government is obstinate. It's always the same story, same excuse. The other side always starts it, but where is the proof? The only decent Israeli prime minister that made a move for peace was Rabin. Has any other leader followed his lead? No.
In the 21st Century, RC, there are only TWO walls/nations divided in this world. People forget that. They're content about the dismantlement of the Berlin Wall, but in Israel and Cyprus, walls still exist. If people can't solve a problem then they kill to solve it (which doesn't solve it) or they build walls to divide people and create ghettoes. You're saying that the Palestinian sector isn't a modern day ghetto? It is. I'm 37 and I've heard enough damned sob stories. WWII happened decades ago. Move forward.
Anastasia - not only are you clueless but you are quite thoughtless. The current conflict is due to Hamas refusing to renew the ceasefire agreement. Plain and simple. Your thoughtless comments about the Holocaust and Jews tells anyone who cares where you come from. Where do you get your news? I would be disgraced to write what you wrote - absolutely callous and heartless. How sad to carelessly throw words around with no concern as to their effect.
First I would like to respond to your "observations" about Holocaust memorial. NEVER has it been "all about the Jews," as you seem to think. You probably hear more about the Jews who died simply because MORE DIED, an estimated 6 million out of a total 11 million (And I'm giving you the highest estimate of the total for the benefit of the doubt). By no means does that make any death more important than another, and in fact, I challenge you to find any Holocaust speaker or Holocaust memorial/museum that does not pay significant tribute to the many other groups who perished in the camps, as well as victims of other genocides through history.
As to which ethnic groups played the biggest role in the creation of the atomic bomb, the answer is CAUCASIAN. Judaism is a religion, not an ethnicity, and most North American and European Jews check the "White/Caucasian" square, along with all other white people of any religion. There are also black Jews, Asian Jews, all different ethnicities of people who choose to practice the religion of Judaism.
Oh, and Harry Truman ordered the dropping of the atomic bomb. Not the Lubavitch Rebbe. America wanted the technology for nuclear weapons, and whether or not people of any "ethnic" or religious group worked on it is irrelevant; it would have been made either way.
If you would like, however, to continue to contribute the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to the Jews, then surely you must also give the Jews credit for the other things they have contributed to society, such as the Polio vaccine, knowledge of atomic structure, or all of Einsteins progress in physics. Unless that is all negated by Truman's decision to drop the bombs? I'm not sure from which propaganda source you heard that the tragedies in Japan can be attributed to the Jews, but it's probably the same one that says Jews control the media (which they clearly don't, for if they did, CNN's reporting would be quite different, no?).
You are entitled to your opinion on the situation in Israel, but nobody is entitled to blame political problems on one group of civilians, be it ethnic, religious, or any other categorization.
Why does your comment irritate me to the max, even after I've responded to you already? Because you put words in whenever you see fit.
"Are you implying that Israel should just allow Hamas to keep shooting Ketushas at civilians and wait years and years after the intifada started to finally fire back?"
What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to start something you can't really finish? Let's see, which ethnic group of people created the Atomic bomb in Los Alamos that really didn't have to be used in Japan at that stage of the war - on civilians!. Answer that, if you will before you ask me that "RC". The day Israel takes the higher ground and works towards peace, I'll pierce my nose.
Ehud Barack(Israeli Prime Minister) offered Yassar Arafat a very generous peace plan in 2000 only to be turned down and then Arafat launched the 2nd intifada. This is common knowledge. Your anti-semetic ravings are clear. Are you implying that all the scientists from the Manhattan Project were Jewish? Many non-Jewish scientists worked on the Manhattan Project. Ottoman occupation? What are you talking about? Rarely have I read a post in any blog that is so long yet contains so many lies, half-truths and distortions. What a pretender.
Anastasia: Well said. Chanel shouldnt cut jobs, they should cut prices to ride out the recession/depression. But clearly, brand image (aka price) outweighs employee welfare right now which is a real pity.
Annonymous Fan: You, like the Russian Prof, are clearly off your trolley for believing something like that. Take that from a Geopolitics & Political Scientist.
Bagsnobs: Love your blog. You make us (or me at least) rethink our lifestyles constantly, be it fashion, consumption or life's realities. Keep it up!
Anastasia: Well said. Chanel should cut prices, not jobs to ride out this recession/depression. But clearly, brand prestige (aka price) wins over employee welfare here, which is a real pity.
Anonymous Fan: YOu, like the russian prof, are clearly off your rocket for seriously believing something like that. Take that from a fellow Geopolitics and Political Scientist.
Bag Snobs: Great post! You guys constantly make us (me anyway) rethink our lifestyles, be it fashion, consumption or life's realities. Keep it up and I look forward to more =)
It was refreshing to see s post of such topic up on the page. As usual, Tina's witty writing had me crack up.an enjoyment to be had everyday!
The reason I put together this first thread after having read this blog for months is I really like Anastasia's observation. I mean, till then I'd thought readers here are high-power career woman who cares nuthing much else other than Oscar de la Renta and their career. (No sarcasm intended). I couldnt agree more with your opinion on rtw-they are all mass produced and made in China no matter how their tag claims. If u really got money, spend it on hc, that's the most refined form of high fashion . otherwise find the best value of ur hard-owned cash at highstreets where the vale of goods is in fact on a higher level, barring the 90% off-media-only designer label sale, of course. The Chanel case was depressing. I also find it hard to justify its pricing. For a fact I know a girl who's in charge of searching all of the 'precious' pearls for Chanel fine jewelry in ZheJiang, a province adjascent to Shanghai where I live.
Emerging hubs like Dubai and Shanghai, as you mentioned, are catching up with their grand scale of display of wealth. However, they'll always be considered new rich compared with NYC or London. I dunno aout Dubai but I dont think SH is aesthetically pleasing-unless you like they way they demolish old run-down historical sites to make way for those falshy highrises that bear resemblence to MAnhattan...
I have to agree with Tina, these claims seem a bit preposterous.. Russia seems to be more at risk of civil war than the US
Obviously we are not going to split up the United States. It is funny that they would think that. What is funny in this whole world perception of the United States is that everyone thinks that it is us against them. But "us" is every nationality in the world. On my street alone we have people from China, Korea, Africa, Germany, Russia, England an so forth. So, no we are not splitting up because we are the last place that the opressed and disinfranchised can go. If I mispelled anything then good because I am just another "average person" the first commenter was referring to.
The guy has an impressive resume, but I think he's either slipping into some sort of mental illness or...well he's probably slipping into some sort of mental illness. No matter how bad things get, Americans would not feel in the next two years that it would be better to be part of another country. There's too much national pride and a bit of racism. To go from being the leader of the free world to a handful of territories is too much of an about face. I find it interesting that any of his fellow countrymen would buy into this, shows how little they understand our culture but speaks volumes about theirs.
Yeah we're facing financial problems but I don't see my fellow countrymen taking to arms against one another. Where did they get that from? I travel the country quite frequently and while it's true there are differences in social code between geographical region, they are not so wide as to necessitate hostilities against one another.
i can't claim to be a geopolitics expert either, but i did study political science during my college years. not that that lends me any credence to speak of...
i don't see this as being a likely scenario considering the culture of american society and our ingrained nationalism even in the most jaded of urbanites. what i do see is this divided states of america as wishful thinking on the part of russians born out of anti-american sentiment. like others have said above, a u.s. collapse will harbor terrible repercussions for the rest of the world and the global economy. we are so fully globalized and interconnected that a destabilized u.s. will most definitely not result in the eu or russia's rise to number one superpower, but rather the collapse of the entire world's economic structure as it (weakly) stands now.
yes, things are not looking good, but there will be a recovery. it won't be to the level of clinton era economic prosperity, but this isn't the end of happiness as we know it. let's not all be fatalistic.
This is a global financial recession. Warren Buffet said recession is part of the economy. This is definitely a very serious one. America is a very strong country and we will come out of this just fine. It may take a little longer than the usual two years for a recession but we will survive and come out a lot wiser.
i think it's kind of hilarious how each region "goes" to whichever country it's closest to, like it's a piece of cake to be split up. i'm surprised maine isn't being taken over by greenland/ florida isn't being absorbed by cuba/ south carolina isn't being sucked into the bermuda triangle....
kamo-- you entertain me to no end with your witty comments!
What a great idea-- Cuba should have Floria, absolutely! hahaha
But you know, I think China would fight Japan for Hawaii-- lol. But only after they've taken over Taiwan, which in the last 95 years they have not been able to do... so the chances of them taking the Western Seaboard of America? Fat. hahaa
Oh, love the comment by the Geopolitics and Political Scientist, Jus. Thanks for backing us up, a professional opinion is always appreciated :)
Happy New Year everyone.
Anastasia: Well said. Chanel should cut prices, not jobs to ride out this recession/depression. But clearly, brand prestige (aka price) wins over employee welfare here, which is a real pity.
Anonymous Fan: YOu, like the russian prof, are clearly off your rocket for seriously believing something like that. Take that from a fellow Geopolitics and Political Scientist.
Bag Snobs: Great post! You guys constantly make us (me anyway) rethink our lifestyles, be it fashion, consumption or life's realities. Keep it up and I look forward to more =)
I've listened to Polish radio last night and as Poland is economically stable (thanks to the no-nonsense approach when it comes to money-if you can't afford a mortgage-you won't get one) they were discussing ways of getting out of credit crunch purely theoretically but one of the best advice I've heard was that you should not sack anyone but instead try and negotiate lower salaries for everyone so that each and every job is secure.
Lina, I think this is very sound advice from the Polish.
I've just noticed this quote from Karl on vogue.com:
"I see it (credit crunch)like a cleaning up - it was too rotten anyway - so it had to be cleaned up," the designer muses stoically. "I see it like a healthy thing - horrible but healthy, like some miracle treatment of the world."
I doubt the people who just been sacked will think of it that way. It's funny to hear that it all was to rotten from someone who has dozens of iPods!
is this Russian prof for real? If it wasn't in the Wall Street Journal I'd think it was a joke.
Here is something I ponder. If the media started telling us the country was in great economic shape, would the people start believing it?
I am very pleased to read that we bagsnobbers are not just airheads, but can have this sort of open forum. I think a love for beauty is indeed also a love of truth, and reading this blog gives me hope.
This prof is doing something that many teachers do. He is putting out something outlandish, but not completely ridiculous, and hoping to stir debate. Mission accomplished. Another way to look at the US is like a grocery store. When you enter the store, always shop for the real food around the outside, don't go into the aisles, since that is food with less nutitional value (boxes, processed foods, etc. ) I am not saying I believe this (ok, I am a Bostonian) but the argument of the circle of cities around the country will form a sort of ring state, and leave the entire middle to fend for themselves, is one I've heard. Just as outlandish, but when you watch election returns, it's not that crazy.
On the Chanel topic....we had touched on this on the couture snob site, the fashion houses need to cut the prices. Gone are the days when you can flip a property for profit in several years time. So too must the prices of bags, shoes and high end garments drop. I'm in total agreement with not firing the lower salaried employees. Karl, look to the American auto industry...do you want to end up like those guys?
If Alaska goes with Russia, will they take Sarah Palin with them? Please???
Seems a very unlikely development made up by not so trustworthy sources. However, am surprised by your comment about the big apple, formerly known as New Amsterdam. Would be more a case of getting it back rather than "getting it". Know your history!