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Fashion

Luxury Handbags Reputations Are Taking A Beating

The Tariff Trade war between the United States and China continues with each country hitting back then waiting for a response from the other. The Luxury Handbag has been taking a beating on the social media platforms from Chinese producers with a steady flow of videos showing “how real luxury” is an illusion.  Questions are swirling.  Are these bags really made in China? Another question being raised?  Are these bags worth the price?   Luxury brands have increased prices time and time again.  Many sought after items sell for as much as 50% more than in 2019.  Is it any wonder why videos from the Knock-off Capital of the World are resonating with buyers?

After visiting a store, I asked the sales team the price of some handbags.  After their response, I had to shake off the shocking sticker price. Even going so far to ask if they thought the bags were worth the price.  The uneasy and reluctant answers did not surprise me.  After all the bag’s price perhaps equals a two or three-month salary for a full-time department store salesperson.

Buying a guilty pleasure is fun, the grin on the face, the pride of showing off a big bag with a storied brand on the side.  After the past few weeks, that once enchanted emotion shifted to the “A sucker is born every minute” category.  The industry finds itself in a tricky situation partly of its own making by extreme prioritising the bottom line while making some inferior products.   In the past, buyers dismissed or simply forgot and forgave luxury labels transgressions while shelling out for the latest designer purse.  This time however, the sector has a foe who benefits from reminding spenders of the affordable alternatives.   Will luxe clientele spend with their heads or with hearts? Round one goes to the Chinese Social Media content creators. However, the skirmish has started.  

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Feature

Liberation

As President Trump’s new Liberation Tariffs take hold on the global economy, expect price shocks in every category.  Long supply chains already under strain while recovering from Covid and wars now have a new threat, a tax on imported goods. For those accustomed to shopping for low priced goods, that may become an expensive past-time.   Those popular Influencer Shein Hauls will soon be out of fashion, dated content. Clothing prices from t-shirts, jeans and sneakers will jump because most are made in Asia. Down trade for that next celebration, grab a bottle of Prosecco, not Champagne. The French bubbly’s price may rise to $200 a bottle.

Even household name giant Apple expects a price increase of over 40% for its iPhone.  The cheaper models at a base price of $800 could go to $1200. 

As the American leader shows no signs of backing down, digging in his polished heels, buyers need to prepare themselves for a new shift in consumption.   

A crisis always offers a moment to rethink. Perhaps it is time to buy less, buy better, make it lasts.

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Fashion

It’s Cold at Pitti Uomo but the Style Keeps On Going.

We are covering Pitti Uomo January 2025. We will have all the latest trends in menswear style.

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Fashion podcast

A Luxury Driving Addition

A luxury Before Tacky podcast episode from the past with the Italian based brand The Outlierman. Andrea talked about the ultimate driving addition for the motor dandy.

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Fashion Feature

Christmas Guide 2024

2024 is the year where less is more, nothing over the top. This gift guide is about keeping it down to Earth with style. Do not spend a fortune to give something nice this Christmas.

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Fashion Feature

Markdowns Here We Come

Global headlines have spooked consumers.  Shoppers are holding back on purchases, electing to save money instead of splurging on fun buys. Fashion brands and retailers struggle to lure buyers. Stores could are overstocked with unsold pieces. Now, as the holiday season approaches, companies are in early markdown stages trying to move merchandise. 

Relax and wait to get that special item you always wanted and a good price.  After all, “He/she that can have patience can have what he/she will.”

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Fashion

Buying The Alternative Confidence

“Luxury bags make your life more pleasant, make you dream, give you confidence, and show your neighbors you’re doing well.” Largerfeld.

As the luxury handbag bubble pops due to working condition and mark-up scandals and over, there are alternatives to big brands. The labels I listed below are small, not mass produced, but more importantly, unique. A person carrying one of these pieces will get a lot of compliments.

While in Milan, walking by Up You To Anthology on my way to a Fashion Week appointment, I decided to go in. After speaking to the curator, he told me each bag is designed by artists with a limited production run.

Anthology
Up To You Anthology

During Pitti Uomo I always pass by the Sentiero Florence store. Looking in the window I decided to go in and see. The sales lady told me about the family owned label still producing handbags in Tuscany.

Sentiero Florence
Sentiero Florence
La portegna
La Portegna Madrid

I am recommending this brand because the online review have been good for this Madrid’s La Portegna. Spanish producers are known for quality leather goods.

Bonastre Paris
Bonastre

I met the Bonastre team at Pitti Uomo. As a small luxury brand the designer and staff have close relationship all aspects of the Paris based label from design to the final product.

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Fashion Feature

Fakefluencing is a Lifestyle

As Generation Z gets squeezed, facing gaping economic inequality, the expense to show off becomes harder.  In 2024 trade down and keep posting model reigns.  If the bank account cannot afford the real thing, get the fake one.  The rise of the super counterfeit luxury goods means bling, bling without the high price tag.   Fakefluencers brag about purchasing fake luxury goods, glamour on a shoestring budget.  Even when they are showcasing their false items, perhaps even looking silly, fakefluencers have taken influencing to the next level, Fakefluencing.  These style setters are no longer waiting for brands to dm their Instagram accounts asking for a collaboration.  Why go to Saks Fifth Avenue?  Now, Fakefluencers buy the sort of real thing online or on the street corner. 

Influencers and Counterfeit

Excess, no questions asked is the philosophy. That interlocked Double C Chanel handbag under an arm was probably made who knows where, by who knows whom, under what type of conditions.

At least the world’s most expensive logos are being seen with people who count.  Next time looking over a lifestyle of the rich and famous social media post just remember “If it looks too good to be true, it is probably fake.”

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Fashion

That’s A FAKE & We Know It

Style moved from Having It to Faking It. As with so many elements in modern life, expensive handbags may not be what you think, fake handbags are stylish. Once a secret, today buyers and influencers proudly display cheap knock offs.

Handbags
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Fashion

Got Back

Today, I got back my repaired Nudie Jeans. That was fast, the hole got repaired. Better than going out buying a new pair. Here is hoping these last a few more years with a lot of wear.

Nudie Jeans
The hole repaired.
NUDIE JEANS
With the torn hole.

To buy a pair of jeans or use the free repair service, the Nudie Jeans store is located at Memhardstrasse 7, Berlin.