After my post yesterday, I received quite a few more questions so I will answer them in a new post rather than adding them to the previous ones.
Are you rich?
No – not at all! I am lucky enough to have a good job and am at a stage in my life when I can invest more money in things I love. I prioritize investment bags and organisers, which often work out cheaper if you calculate their cost per use or cost per wear long term. If you really want something, skipping that chocolate bar or morning latte for a few months will save you surprising amounts. I seldom drink and don’t smoke which also saves me money. Plus most of the investment purchase I make hold their value so I can resell them for a good price.
Do you buy all your bags new?
About 90% of my designer bags were bought new but I have never paid full price for one. I buy new in sample sales, overstock sites and seasonal sales. I buy second hand on eBay, consignment sites and vintage stores. You really need to know the real thing in order not to be taken in by fakes though.
Which designer bags do you own?
Gucci, Chloé, Louis Vuitton, Proenza Schouler (my large PS1 is the most expensive bag I have ever bought), Mulberry, Fendi, Balmain, Balenciaga (only a small pouch though), Longchamp.
Which mid-range bags do you own?
This would make up the bulk of my wardrobe and I can’t think of them all but just off the top of my head Campomaggi, Francesco Biasia, Furla, Brahmin, Tiger of Sweden, TSM, Tabitha/Orca, Fossil, Adrienne Vittadini, Marc by Marc Jacobs.
Any on your wish-list?
Hermés Birkin, Chanel 2.55 and a large Goyard. Never going to happen though!
And about your cheapies?
These I use for my overflow each day – parcels, groceries, extra books and shopping. I use the free ones from magazines or cotton ones that can be washed and folded up
Are designer bags worth the money?
It depends on the bag – something like this Louis Vuitton which went for $ 52,500 – NO!
Other no nos would be Jill Sander’s paper bag which cost £200
and anything in perspex, plastic, feathers, velour. You get the picture I am sure.
Bags that are worth the money would be something like my Louis Vuitton bucket bag – I have had it for almost 20 years and it just keeps going. The coated canvas just cannot be beaten for durability. Something like a Mulberry bag holds its value and wears very well but avoid collaborations like this blingy horror by Giles Deacon or anything in vinyl like the Roxanne tote they sold a few years ago.
Do you ever have ‘bad bag days’?
Generally not as I know what works and what doesn’t but here is a photo of a bad everything day
And lastly, my favourite collaboration ever was Julie Verhoewen for Louis Vuitton. Her fairy tale designs really appealed to me for some reason.
I recognised the Why3s! But I did wonder – in the pic where you’re rooting around in the Louis Vuitton bucket bag, what’s the watch you’re wearing?
That watch has a funny story to it. It belonged to my husband who ended up with it after it was shot up by his bicycle wheel one day as he was cycling. He could never find the owner so wore it for years and then gave it to me when he got a new one. The brand is Stuts. Ironically, studs means bounce in Swedish!).