I feel like Social Media gives the Illusion that everyone seems to have every luxury bag available (especially Hermès/ Chanel) but in day to day life I rarely see them. It’s noway the norm to be able to afford these Luxury pieces. Of course in Big cities and “Wealthy Areas” it can be more but there are also a lot of fakes.I feel very fortunate, Luxury will never be boring to me. ❤
I agree 100%. I went today to purchase bag from new Chanel collection, people were waiting an hour before the opening of the store. Most things sold out straight away, loads of women with designer handbags, but as soon as you go outside London you rarely see them. Like you said yourself it’s mainly instagram making impression that everyone owns Hermes/chanel bags but sometimes I wonder how many of them are fake or rented 🤔
I’ve left this comment before but it still applies. If I really like something designer, of course, I’ll consider buying it. After a trip to Italy and enjoying the abundance of well made goods (these are the people that make the designer goods for the labels anyway), I had custom shoes made: I have purchased extremely well made purses while in Milan. These are family businesses and that’s how I plan to invest in the future- seeking out those family run companies and getting beautiful UNIQUE pieces in the range of $150-$800. Not $1500-$10000 but same quality. One has to decide if they want quality versus name brand at this point. Yes it’s probably not sellable- but if I really love it, I don’t want to sell it.
I love this comment so much! I've been trying to support small businesses across the board. It's hard sometimes, but I feel so much better about where I spend my money when I do. We don't need to make the richest men in the world richer.
Right? They used to be quiet luxury when Grace “Kelly” were carrying the bag. Then Jane Birkin modernized it a little and it was still exclusive NOT IN PRICE but in the the range of women carrying these purses! Suddenly, sex and the city happened with it the concept of RENT A PURSE!? What????? Do you rent your underwear? That’s how I feel…
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the *preluxs* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
Your love for replicas rivals my love. I like the style of these high end bags, but I'd rather pay my rent, car note, and save for college for my kids with our money. So, replicas are for me! I love replica bags, and they just don't make them like*preluxs* do, they are just amazing for me! Wonderful job!
My mom said a smart thing once. People who think and judge you for buying certain things or look a certain way to impress other people, are people that are like that themselves. Because they can't think far enough, why someone would do that only for themselves. Because to them, how others view them is the only valid reason! It is my freedom to choose what kind of bag to carry. As for other people's opinions, it has nothing to do with me. I am just me, and only I know what makes me happy. I am willing to spend less money to buy the most cost-effective bag at *preluxz* , which makes me feel great
Yes, Cassie Thorpe did a recent video from Fashionphile's warehouse in NYC and I was floored at the sheer volume of stuff they had in general, but was particularly shocked to see how much H brand stuff they had, especially when it's supposed to be so "exclusive". Made me wonder about that.
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the *preluxz* book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations.
Hi Sophie. Those bags in Florence that look like they are from Hermes have been around for a long time. They were there even pre-millenium. They are not fake. They are available all over Italy because many leather bags of all styles are long been made in Italy. Knowing this, I couldn't understand why people would queue outside Hermes . It wasn't until social media that mass market fashionistas realized that Hermes bags were status symbols for the wealthy via social media. It's not just Hermes styles that you could find in Italy. There are many others. It wasn't until the demand in the boutiques started, that maisons/fashion houses started trying to keep up with the demand opening ateliers in Spain. If I make a trip to Italy again, I may buy a bag or two there. I don't need a high end name on a well-made bag made in Italy. That's just paying for someone's name to be on it and for them to profit from it.
The reality is: if you're rich and famous, your*preluxs* bags are seen as a sign of success. If you are just an ordinary worker working a 9-to-5 job, your real bag is likely to be considered the fruit of your efforts.
To be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are *esluxy* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do
@@DongHattman You should be aware of that, yes and that's okay. Nevertheless, these Designer bags are exclusive. The name and authenticity make the difference. I prefer to buy Desinger products that are not so easy to see.
I think the focus on exclusivity is very strange. While I understand that the makers strive for that quality with their exorbitant pricing, to me the choice to buy something pricey or luxurious is more based on my perception of the quality of the item I'm buying in addition to the understanding that I'm buying into a heritage. I'm not bothered when I see people in the city wearing the same Chanel classic flap or handful of LV and Gucci bags, knock-offs/dupes, or the more accessible small leather goods and monogramed items, etc. I actually like it when I see people wearing pieces I have or know are luxurious pieces, because to me that means that that person is hopefully doing well/is financially stable and could be a kindred spirit, especially when they're wearing my favorites from a fashion house. Losing interest in something or creators upping prices simply because more people are aware of something or can more easily access it is terribly snobby imo.
You may call it snobby all you like, but ironically the person most likely to not care that the bag they just spent 10k on is everywhere is somebody who most likely doesn't think 10k a lot of money. I'm certainly not saving up that kind of money for something common.
@@crelgen1588 I disagree that those who think 10k is nothing don't care about seeing these bags everywhere. In my experience, those are the people who do the most complaining.
Yikes, feeling the different classes here. I suppose it’s fair if all people around you are wearing Hermes, you probably don’t need to go to LIDL but just felt a bit like this rich lady that thought they sell walls in Walmart 😂
I brought my bags Preloved and kept looking until I found reasonable resellers. I asked one seller why she priced so low and she stated that bags should be viewed like cars. Once they leave the lot they lose value. If I don’t like or want to enjoy the bag anymore why shouldn’t someone else be allowed to love it? That starts with pricing. She found it unscrupulous that people were charging $5000 for busted Birkens missing parts, ripped, etc.,. Just used and abused. She stated that Karma is a b and they wouldn’t have any luck eventually.
When you price things lower than normal customers are less likely to return them. If there's a small smudge in the liner that wasn't disclosed you'll probably keep the item anyway. Collectors are very picky. Any smudge, loose thread, or blemish that isn't photographed, mentioned, or highlighted in triplicate will be an issue. Refunds and shipping labels are going out. Sellers balance price vs hassle.
Not so sure about a luxury starter kit, but there certainly seems to be an element of "if you don't have x, y, and z, then can you really call yourself a luxury lover/TH-camr?" Wouldn't it be lovely to just be able to have and enjoy the things *you* love, and as a bonus maybe even stand out from the crowd a little! Have a great week, Sophie, and enjoy Lidl (it's bizarre!)! xx
Fake ones have come a long way...I have an "NF" and it passes all your tests, stitching the package, lettering, etc. I don't think your old fake is a good example. Besides, there are *esluxy* that are very cost-effective and they deserve to be seen.
I just bought a pair of Oran sandals. Initially wondered if I’d made a mistake because they were not comfortable! But I wore them around the house and stretched them and now I love them. I’m not working towards a quota bag (don’t care about them and would just go pre-loved if I ever decided it did!) I just wanted a dressy, elegant sandal and you can’t really get more classic than the Orans.
Honestly unless you think you're better than other people because of a material item, who cares if "the riff-raff" also owns that material item? Just be a good person or get really good at a new skill/hobby and you don't have to worry about who's "better than" other people because it will never matter what other people say, especially based on something so useless like a bag or earrings.
I feel like it's because of all of the quick trends, fast fashion and dupes that are ruining the "exclusivity". Before luxuryy items were seen as something you either had the money to afford or saved up. Now because of fast fashion, luxury is suddenly something everyone should have and when you do not have the money you instead buy really good dupes that then ruin the original brand's exclusivity. Our society has valued the need of having an item because everyone else has it, instead of valuing individuality and an actual want for a luxury product. Furthermore, as fast fashion is constantly changing people do not see the value of purchasing really expensive bags and are instead opting out for a good dupe just to have the social clout. Love the video!
I think if one lives in their phone these items won’t seem exclusive. In the reality of my lived experience I rarely encounter the average person in the street (or even among my peers) with the same or comparable luxury items I own.
Chanel flap bags are absolutely everywhere in London. Everywhere. Whether real or fake, is another matter. But it's difficult to walk more than a few yards in central London without seeing one
people should just buy things that they like! I don't think fashion should be "exclusive" at all. I will never care that most of the women around me have the cartier love bracelet, I still love mine! It seems very odd that people are so starved to stand out that they are upset when people have the same things they do. at that point, just get a tailor or cobbler? when i was a teenager, I had a jeep. It was so fun doing the jeep wave to all the other jeep owners. Now i feel like I do the same sort of thing when I see someone with a kelly, and I love it
Just been to Florence a month ago, yes, absolutely agree on getting high quality dupes of B/K. I own a few Hermes bags, so I know exactly the difference. But, I actually bought a version of the Florence B/K combined, a Birkin with strap on!!! I honesty can say, that IS way better than the real Birkin. Reasons: 1) top quality leather (my whole wardrobe smell of fresh, top quality leather 😂), 2) the styling - I don’t need the logo, I just want quality and functionality 3)inside has lots of useful zipped pockets and compartments, no need to get extra bag inserts etc 4) absolutely do not care if I take it out in the rain, which I have done 😂, wipe and then done ❤ 4) price - absolutely insane, around £80! I didn’t need top copy because I think Birkin with STRAP is a much better design, period. 5) EVERYONE has seen my bag said it is a beautiful bag, even my male friends have no clue what this bag is, says it looks nice. Now, the key question - would this stop me buying Hermes bags? No. Because I really like their HSS models, exotic or vintage rare leather like Ardennes, these are money cannot “easily” buy rare models, so they are still very exclusive to me. Same go with every couture houses, if one go to buy their most common stuff, they are NOT exclusive products to start off with anyway. It’s not the brand, it’s the specific products or models of that brand that are exclusive. Like any luxury cars, pens, watches, glassware, paintings - all the same. Not all Rolexes are the same, you need to do homework what specs exactly you are buying. 😊😊 Love this video Sophie, thanks for sharing.❤❤❤
It's definitely LV-land in my region. Real and fake. That monogram print is everywhere and that's probably the social media/trend impact. I never used to see them as much around. I don't see Hermes but it's also more challenging to obtain here geographically so maybe still area-specific unless people roll the dice on second hand online . . .
Its amazing I never see any Dior, Chanel, once in a while a Louis, no Hermes either. Very strange, when I was in hospital for 2 weeks lasr year,I had my book tote,bag,and the young nurses said oh you have fake Dior,I just smile because they knew what they were but quick to say fake.People will think what they want to think,I never explain❤❤❤ myself to anyone.
I don’t really know if I believe the “people buy fakes and auths to use the fakes and leave the auth at home” I truly believe that people will buy a fake of an auth bag to compare and once they see how good the fakes are they don’t bother to buy auth again. I may be wrong but that’s just my take.
Totally agree on the "starter kits." I believe everyone should follow the style and purchases that give them joy, but I think sometimes we get things because we keep seeing it everywhere, rather than because it fits our personal fashions and lifestyles.
It's social media. I'm in my late 40's and I remember 20+ years ago when the Chanel classic flap was regarded as a rich old lady's bag and a successful middle aged executive's bag. Thanks to influencers, the demand shot up etc. Now people in their 20s and early 30s are buying these bags. It doesn't bother me. What does bother me is the fact that young men, who would normally NOT care about women's handbags (with the exception of a small percentage of fashionable guys), know the worth of these things = they are robbing like crazy in my city. You have to watch your back if you're purchasing high end bags and/or carrying them. Lots of thieving, plenty of which are gang related. The high end mall isn't safe anymore. Before social media, men who robbed just wanted money and maybe credit cards. Now they're robbing just for the sake of getting bags to resell!
Yes! This actually keeps me from getting one of these very recognizable bags! I carry concealed and I don’t want my purse grabbed with my firearm in it. I’d be forced to draw and fire over a purse.
They’re all fakes. I bought a Celine bag last year from China, high quality, $400 and it looks identical to the real thing and I’m about to buy an LV bag now. They’re all fakes and replicas. And they look amazing.
I think all of luxury is just so oversaturated. Social media is too aggressive and in turn, we as comsumers have been over-exposed by it. I've been enjoying more niche/ mid-end bags. I've been enjoying the last 3 bags I've bought more than my high end ones. The brands are mach & mach, Ambush and Coperni.
I feel like "the new luxury" is not an item but the overall quality of a brand. Everything's so cheap these days that quality (luckily) becomes more and more important again. I even find outdoor wear to be luxurious if it is of high quality. And because more and more people tend to look for quality items, they start buying more expensive things. Also: if people aren't doing too great financially, luxury goods are known to become popular as they give instant gratification. And we're all feeling the higher costs of living. "You can't save enough money? Might as well spend it."
Clients buying the real one to stay at home and use the fake one ?? 🤔😧it is pathetic when some people insist on acting cheap !!! 😏hope her closet will enjoy it 😂😅
I agree with the VCA items. I wanted some yearsss ago, but wanted to invest in other things. Now, every 20-something chick with a high tipping job is wearing VCA. I walked up to a restaurant & and the Hostess was wearing a VCA necklace. The club bottle service girls or bartenders are wearing VCA necklace, bracelet, Cartier, Tiffany, etc. But, always always always the most popular same pieces. It feels like it has nothing to do with loving it & everything to do with trying to flex & trying to prove they're "doing well" but, I don't see them wearing any of the lesser known pieces from those brands. So now, everyone has the same basic jewelry collection & same handbag collection. It makes these pieces less interesting
My mil is in her late 70s and she’s worth usd millions after her husband had passed away but she only carries simple leather bags and wears simple jewellery bcus she doesn’t feel the need to show her net worth on her body to society . Those who knows ..KNOWS
I went to a retro arcade last month and a lady in there had a Birkin... in a place where people are playing old school games for free with admission. Just seems like an odd place to wear a $15-20k ish purse It might be real, it might not, but either way it seems like a random time I've also seen someone bring their Birkin to lounge by the hotel pool... why not just leave this in your room instead of sitting in the hot sun? I guess if you don't trust the hotel, but then, that's still odd idk
This exclusivity thing… appears to be all about superficial privilege and class. I don’t think more then half the people buy Hermes because they love the bag, they want it because it symbolizes “I’m better then you. I’m richer than you.” I’m personally getting tired of watching influencers flaunt their Hermes bags like it’s just nothing. What it actually does is, it distances them from the millions that are watching. I use to watch many of them because it was fun entertainment, but nowadays it just feels like bragging.
hi everyone! as much as I understand that many people are buying these items to show the status, I am not alone amongst people who liked them for the quality, craftsmanship and artistic value (great proportions or art enbeded on them like hermes scarves). What denerves me is the decline in quality and customer experience. They invest into experience for influencers, give them bags for free, pushing the collections our so fast and try to read foreign markets so they need to produce more and quickly which cheapens the actual product and therefore a brand. I wouldnt ming to spend 10K on chanel if I was rest assured that I am getting the best there is and it will not disolve and fall off within a year also Hemes game is based on the feeling of inferiority, need to prove oneself ... sorry but I will never play this game, evren wehn I shop there, I see it only as what it is a shop with stuff (which I like but it is still only stuff)
Lidl has some really nice food and it's definitely worth trying some of the things that are clearly dupes of named brands as I often find I prefer them. Whether you can do a full shop might depend on the size of the branch and your dedication to specific branded products.
I know wealthy women who carry replicas. The main reason they gave is that they just understand the value of money and don’t want to spend so much money on a bag... *preluxs* allows them to save a lot.
I saw a video from a TH-camr who did a tour of Fashionphile l. My lord, it was a warehouse of handbags. So I can see why people can have these bags,they can get them for a good price, second hand. Not getting a Berkin or a Kelly.
It’s like the diamon suppliers at Antwerp and de beers they have sacks of diamonds but keeps the world supply low so they can sell it for millions for a 5 carat ring 💍
@@KS-zd4ew Like in 1981-1983 when Zaire stopped selling their diamonds through DeBeers London based CSO. DeBeers flooded the market and price of diamonds went from $3.00 to $1.98 per carat.
Ralph's is the CA part of the Kroger brand. There are some pretty good accounts like the Fake Birkin Slayer that call out people for posting fakes online. Once dupes get this common it does lessen the appeal of the originals. Even if they were all authentic, who wants to have the same items as everyone else around them?
I feel like nowadays we all dress up the same.. Whether it s real or fake I see love bracelets and just un clou everywhere , Chanel classic flaps and Hermes bags everywhere.. I love luxury items but they are brands that I see everywhere like Cartier for example I m not interested in anymore .. Thinking of selling few items from the brand ..
Ralph's must be west coast of USA, we don't have those on east coast! Probably Whole Foods is the boujie store and is nationwide in US. I also loooove Lidl! It's owned by same company that owns Aldi and Trader Joe's. Have fun! (I had to ask both Lidl employees AND friends from the UK how to pronounce it, and apparently, it's "leedle'),
Thank TH-cam and the rest of Social Media for the OVER exposure of Luxury. Many were stuck home the last couple of years so they had extra funds to look at these things and purchase. Now the world has opened up again and people don’t have the extracurricular discretionary funds for various reasons from economic/inflation to travel/leisure.
Exclusive is such a negative word, and exclusivity a negative concept. Whenever the words are used, they are there to encourage selfishness and inflated self-image.
I hadn't visited a Lidl before meeting my husband. Now I'm a convert, you can't get a full grocery haul, that is true, but you can get amazing deals on things. Also, since you and David love dark chocolate, their dark chocolate (I think it is like 88% cocoa or sth like that) is incredible, and I'm quite the food snob. I think you'll both react positively to the experience, even though products change often. Their "upper level" products called excellence - i think- is really good quality. Lastly, try some of the small electronic devices such as hand mixers, air fryers, ice cream makers etc. if you're in the market for them, because they are really good quality and truly afordable
Interesting debate…. I see a lot of these items, not so much as a starter kit, I see them more as a luxury uniform which is worn in abundance in capital cities. ❤
I'm also in London, but tbh I rarely see hermes bags out and about. I think social media can make it seem as if more people than normal have certain things depending on who you follow and who else your algorithm decides to show you, but even going into central london, chanel and hermes bags (even the more obviously fake ones) are not common place. Sure if you go into harrods or hang around chelsea you'll see more of them, but walk even a couple of streets over into the more affordable parts of the city and those bags aren't there in abundance. We're a long way off the burberry effect of the early 00s. I think with the vca jewellery I've seen a lot more of those, but I think that's because, like you mentioned in your video, every store has their own version of the alhambra chains, and those who want that exact look for less get them on dh gate or ali express. They're a lot easier to purchase than a convincing looking super fake. I do find it interesting how many people who have the real thing don't want to wear theirs when they see other people with them, it makes me wonder did you even really like any of those things before or did you just want them as a status symbol
Luxury brands are ridiculously stupid. You pay $1000 more for a item that costed pennies to make just to “feel” like you have something “special. Biggest Scam Ever.
About 30 years ago I saw an LV back pack & lunch box to go along with the logo track suit. That’s when it dawned on me. It’s all a parody like Madeline Kahn’s character in High Anxiety. I know they were catering to the Hip Hop & Rap groups but it also cheapened it. 😢
In my small island township in Asia , we see many ladies wearing Cartier love bracelets , VCA bracelets/ rings , Hermes birkin/kelly , Chanel classics but we will assume it’s fake items unless that lady is properly dressed up fr head to toes & drives a million dollar car 😂 that’s how we filter out the wanna be vs the real rich 😂
FYI Sophie…..a replica is a fake WITH LOGOS on it and they are ILLEGAL. But a DUPE looks like it and is inspired by, but has NO LOGOS and is LEGAL. So you were seeing dupes, not replicas of Hermes handbags.
I believe it applies to wallets and watches too, I’ve seen way too many Cartier bracelets and watches, even Rolex’s etc. everywhere in New York. I get the handbags for women, but for men the goyard wallet and the mentioned watches above are just as prominent. It sort of removes the allure for the item.
To your point on florence, you flashed a photo of the leather school's shop and i dont think that is fair to include them in this discussion as 1. They arent making a fake, they are their own brand and 2. Its important to keep that trade alive with actual artisans and that is where they learn. I have one of their bags and its absolutely amazing.
I love your voice! Thanks for sharing your lovely HIDUPZ bag / wardrobe collection :) I actually love how you store your collection and definitely an inspiration for me in my future home
Was it EVER really exclusive? Is it because of social media that it seems that luxury is everywhere? For ALL wanting truly exclusive items, get custom clothes, shoes and bags designed and made just for you. Otherwise, if someone is paying thousands for bags and clothes and wanting it to be exclusive, are you buying quality or are you paying for the name/logo? What is wrong with ANY person who can afford the item just purchasing the item? If those fashion houses weren't selling lots of items, they would NOT have been in business for all these years. Thus, the items have been common.
I feel like any "luxury" bag that is mass-produced, is not exclusive. Also, what is the point of exclusivity? That only a few people wear them? I mean it's really for one's ego, nothing to do with the exclusivity.
This will be imitated. And honestly, if Dior, for example, has products manufactured by subcontractors, even shady people, you shouldn't be surprised if the fakes are authentic. Some of them are probably made in the same factories as the originals, in a "night shift" and then sold for 300 to 400 euros
I personally think the birkins, mini Kelly have lost exclusivity to you because your in a city where it is sought out and a lot of tourist go there to buy them BUT here in the US, in Texas, I have not seen a single one. So it's a manner of perspective. PLUS you are a TH-camr, what percentage of the population is a TH-camr but also how many of them own one. Again, a matter of perspective and where you fit in this society. To me these bags are rare. I still think a mini Kelly suits you very well. Enjoy your economic chats.
There is no comparable to m+s in the USA … Ralph’s maybe Tesco / Sainsbury level but still not really comparable. Americans buy food in a very different way.
I totally agree! Whenever I seen VCA/Cartier items that are well known with Oran sandals and the same luxury bags I just think the person wants others to know what they have rather than buying things that they love and are authentically their style. Also, I’m happy to sell you my pink Constance 18 - she’s a beauty but I’m not a pink girl
When you begin seeing people at the airport boarding in any other line than first or business class - wearing VC jewelry, Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel - sorry sister, they aren’t considered luxury anymore.😂
The quality has dropped well below what it used to be. Yes things change but quality is not variable. Luxury isn’t luxurious anymore, are they selling us counterfeit quality with authentic logo?🤔
There are a tremendous amount of super fakes. I know several ladies who use a particular factory that basically makes bespoke Chanel and other luxury brands. The factory will purchase the authentic bag and literally dissect them and create models/frames, etc. They willl import leather directly from the same tanneries and make them in a batch. So they will show the model, show the leather, threads, hardware and then basically you wait a few months and boom. I have a jeweler who will make me anything I want based off pics or even whatever changes I want - and then make it. I don't get the pieces branded since most of the time it is fantasy or things I wished that a company made and didnt. I used to buy tremendous amounts of authentic jewelry, bags (hermes included), etc - the things I still buy authentic are Hermes shawls since I love them - and watches - but I have zero desire for more "luxury" bags or even jewelry. I love getting things made specifically to what I desire and have come up with some neat creations that I like.
The Van Cleef Alhambra has been duped forever. I bought a "travel" version in the Caribbean of the mother of pearl necklace in 2002. The concept is that it's nice jewelry but less expensive for safer travels. It looks great over twenty years later. These aren't $30 shlock.
I don’t drive or take cabs, I walk or take the subway/railroad. I have noticed women have dressed down, I no longer see lux bags on the train like I used to. Working women are no longer dressed in lux. It’s either the economy or fear of being robbed. -NYC
Me too. Bought dupes of both the Hermes slippers and a Van Cleef necklace and studs set from local businesses on Crete. Very nice quality and no where near the original prices.
In the same way that it's illegal for someone to steal your identity it's illegal to carry or buy a fake. Yet they are everywhere 😂 why is that? Definitely no to fakes. But yes all these items now are everywhere! Luxury has become affordable maybe? So is there another price rise soon? Greetings from 🇨🇾
To me, it’s dhgate and brand obsession. It’s very hard to tell what is real and fake, and it seems we are putting up with garbage quality in exchange for brand status. I would rather purchase from small brands because of this.
Hermes Oran sandals are classics your to fixated on the Hermes so called game that you don’t realise Hermes actually have classic items people wanna buy. There are stories of people just walking in getting a bag
I think part of the problem now is that so many of these brands have gone the mass production route. When you are only producing 1,000 of a particular item in a year, that's exclusive. When you produce 100,000, it is no longer exclusive. I used to work in a business that sold limited edition artwork and at one point this became a serious issue when the "limited" numbers started getting ridiculous. It literally killed the market.
I would just buy the Knock off designer bag because they look just as high quality and no one is going to scrutinize your bag that closely. No one cares and everyone understands.
Well said Sophie 👏 I think social media and products going viral make it difficult to be unique. Niche perfumes, Cartier love bracelet, limited edition everything. Consumerism at its best sadly.
I buy for quality. I would like everyone in the world to be able to buy whatever anyone else can buy. I feel like buying for exclusivity is not for me. IMO
Does anyone notice spam comments on Sophie channel? I have seen these spam messages on every channel I follow. We don’t need counterfeit goods thank you 🙏🏻
Sophie I feel the same about those brands , they aren’t exclusive to me anymore .. Social Media, replicates have ruined those pieces that used to be on my wish list..
As a luxury lover myself, I truly don't care if I see pieces I love all over the place or not. If I love it and can afford it, I will purchase it and use it. I don't think anyone should worry about what others are wearing. I don't think that should influence what one purchases.
This is a good point. Blue jeans are everywhere. We continue to buy and wear them! Because they look good / fit out lifestyle / make is feel good etc. What I do find curious, however, is women with a £5000 bag, yet the rest of the outfit does not match in quality - cheaply made bits from Primark, H and M etc. Better, in my opinion, to have a well made £300 bag and distribute the rest of the £5000 on quality pieces for your wardrobe so that one looks holistically 'polished' and 'put together'.
I feel like Social Media gives the Illusion that everyone seems to have every luxury bag available (especially Hermès/ Chanel) but in day to day life I rarely see them. It’s noway the norm to be able to afford these Luxury pieces. Of course in Big cities and “Wealthy Areas” it can be more but there are also a lot of fakes.I feel very fortunate, Luxury will never be boring to me. ❤
I agree 100%. I went today to purchase bag from new Chanel collection, people were waiting an hour before the opening of the store. Most things sold out straight away, loads of women with designer handbags, but as soon as you go outside London you rarely see them. Like you said yourself it’s mainly instagram making impression that everyone owns Hermes/chanel bags but sometimes I wonder how many of them are fake or rented 🤔
Well said!!
Agree
Sophie you are seeing fakes.
I see them.
I’ve left this comment before but it still applies. If I really like something designer, of course, I’ll consider buying it. After a trip to Italy and enjoying the abundance of well made goods (these are the people that make the designer goods for the labels anyway), I had custom shoes made: I have purchased extremely well made purses while in Milan. These are family businesses and that’s how I plan to invest in the future- seeking out those family run companies and getting beautiful UNIQUE pieces in the range of $150-$800. Not $1500-$10000 but same quality. One has to decide if they want quality versus name brand at this point. Yes it’s probably not sellable- but if I really love it, I don’t want to sell it.
Yes, that’s how I feel. Something beautiful, reasonably priced and that I love for my own use.
Truer words were never spoken
👍
My mom bought one *preluxs* 6 and she loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when she went out with it.
I love this comment so much! I've been trying to support small businesses across the board. It's hard sometimes, but I feel so much better about where I spend my money when I do. We don't need to make the richest men in the world richer.
It especially funny when Canel or Hermes bags are included into “quiet luxury” list.
Right? They used to be quiet luxury when Grace “Kelly” were carrying the bag. Then Jane Birkin modernized it a little and it was still exclusive NOT IN PRICE but in the the range of women carrying these purses! Suddenly, sex and the city happened with it the concept of RENT A PURSE!? What????? Do you rent your underwear? That’s how I feel…
I really love your taste and style always so chic. My faves would be the *preluxs* leather backpack and the Swarovski pave diamond ring so gorg. Thank you for your recommendations.
Your love for replicas rivals my love. I like the style of these high end bags, but I'd rather pay my rent, car note, and save for college for my kids with our money. So, replicas are for me! I love replica bags, and they just don't make them like*preluxs* do, they are just amazing for me! Wonderful job!
My mom said a smart thing once. People who think and judge you for buying certain things or look a certain way to impress other people, are people that are like that themselves. Because they can't think far enough, why someone would do that only for themselves. Because to them, how others view them is the only valid reason! It is my freedom to choose what kind of bag to carry. As for other people's opinions, it has nothing to do with me. I am just me, and only I know what makes me happy. I am willing to spend less money to buy the most cost-effective bag at *preluxz* , which makes me feel great
The details between the bags are minor and anyone purchasing the *esluxy* will not be worried about the stitching etc
Lots of people buy K or B bags strictly to flip them. There are so many on second hand market but they're actually brand new.
Definitely
Yes, Cassie Thorpe did a recent video from Fashionphile's warehouse in NYC and I was floored at the sheer volume of stuff they had in general, but was particularly shocked to see how much H brand stuff they had, especially when it's supposed to be so "exclusive". Made me wonder about that.
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the *preluxz* book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations.
Depends on seller and the factory where it came from. My *esluxy* is just like hers and i only paid $100 for it from a seller in hong kong.
My boss is millionaire, she has an original chanel bag at the same time she buys high quality *esluxy* chanel bag now she confused which one is fake.
Hi Sophie. Those bags in Florence that look like they are from Hermes have been around for a long time. They were there even pre-millenium. They are not fake. They are available all over Italy because many leather bags of all styles are long been made in Italy. Knowing this, I couldn't understand why people would queue outside Hermes . It wasn't until social media that mass market fashionistas realized that Hermes bags were status symbols for the wealthy via social media. It's not just Hermes styles that you could find in Italy. There are many others. It wasn't until the demand in the boutiques started, that maisons/fashion houses started trying to keep up with the demand opening ateliers in Spain. If I make a trip to Italy again, I may buy a bag or two there. I don't need a high end name on a well-made bag made in Italy. That's just paying for someone's name to be on it and for them to profit from it.
The reality is: if you're rich and famous, your*preluxs* bags are seen as a sign of success. If you are just an ordinary worker working a 9-to-5 job, your real bag is likely to be considered the fruit of your efforts.
To be honest. If you produce at cost and remove the logo, the luxury market really isn't that expensive. The mark is about 80% of the actual price. But the fact that you are *esluxy* buying an image and showing off your taste to make them think you are richer than you are is a very good thing to do
@@DongHattman You should be aware of that, yes and that's okay. Nevertheless, these Designer bags are exclusive. The name and authenticity make the difference. I prefer to buy Desinger products that are not so easy to see.
Especially the leather school
I think the focus on exclusivity is very strange. While I understand that the makers strive for that quality with their exorbitant pricing, to me the choice to buy something pricey or luxurious is more based on my perception of the quality of the item I'm buying in addition to the understanding that I'm buying into a heritage. I'm not bothered when I see people in the city wearing the same Chanel classic flap or handful of LV and Gucci bags, knock-offs/dupes, or the more accessible small leather goods and monogramed items, etc. I actually like it when I see people wearing pieces I have or know are luxurious pieces, because to me that means that that person is hopefully doing well/is financially stable and could be a kindred spirit, especially when they're wearing my favorites from a fashion house. Losing interest in something or creators upping prices simply because more people are aware of something or can more easily access it is terribly snobby imo.
You may call it snobby all you like, but ironically the person most likely to not care that the bag they just spent 10k on is everywhere is somebody who most likely doesn't think 10k a lot of money. I'm certainly not saving up that kind of money for something common.
@@crelgen1588 I disagree that those who think 10k is nothing don't care about seeing these bags everywhere. In my experience, those are the people who do the most complaining.
Yikes, feeling the different classes here. I suppose it’s fair if all people around you are wearing Hermes, you probably don’t need to go to LIDL but just felt a bit like this rich lady that thought they sell walls in Walmart 😂
I brought my bags Preloved and kept looking until I found reasonable resellers. I asked one seller why she priced so low and she stated that bags should be viewed like cars. Once they leave the lot they lose value. If I don’t like or want to enjoy the bag anymore why shouldn’t someone else be allowed to love it? That starts with pricing. She found it unscrupulous that people were charging $5000 for busted Birkens missing parts, ripped, etc.,. Just used and abused. She stated that Karma is a b and they wouldn’t have any luck eventually.
Who is this reseller? I love her already!🥰
When you price things lower than normal customers are less likely to return them. If there's a small smudge in the liner that wasn't disclosed you'll probably keep the item anyway. Collectors are very picky. Any smudge, loose thread, or blemish that isn't photographed, mentioned, or highlighted in triplicate will be an issue. Refunds and shipping labels are going out. Sellers balance price vs hassle.
Not so sure about a luxury starter kit, but there certainly seems to be an element of "if you don't have x, y, and z, then can you really call yourself a luxury lover/TH-camr?" Wouldn't it be lovely to just be able to have and enjoy the things *you* love, and as a bonus maybe even stand out from the crowd a little! Have a great week, Sophie, and enjoy Lidl (it's bizarre!)! xx
I totally get you Gwenny!!!xx
I bought a *esluxy* belt in Italy. It’s great quality! No issues with it at all.
Fake ones have come a long way...I have an "NF" and it passes all your tests, stitching the package, lettering, etc. I don't think your old fake is a good example. Besides, there are *esluxy* that are very cost-effective and they deserve to be seen.
I just bought a pair of Oran sandals. Initially wondered if I’d made a mistake because they were not comfortable! But I wore them around the house and stretched them and now I love them. I’m not working towards a quota bag (don’t care about them and would just go pre-loved if I ever decided it did!) I just wanted a dressy, elegant sandal and you can’t really get more classic than the Orans.
Honestly unless you think you're better than other people because of a material item, who cares if "the riff-raff" also owns that material item? Just be a good person or get really good at a new skill/hobby and you don't have to worry about who's "better than" other people because it will never matter what other people say, especially based on something so useless like a bag or earrings.
I agree 👍
I feel like it's because of all of the quick trends, fast fashion and dupes that are ruining the "exclusivity". Before luxuryy items were seen as something you either had the money to afford or saved up. Now because of fast fashion, luxury is suddenly something everyone should have and when you do not have the money you instead buy really good dupes that then ruin the original brand's exclusivity. Our society has valued the need of having an item because everyone else has it, instead of valuing individuality and an actual want for a luxury product. Furthermore, as fast fashion is constantly changing people do not see the value of purchasing really expensive bags and are instead opting out for a good dupe just to have the social clout. Love the video!
I think if one lives in their phone these items won’t seem exclusive. In the reality of my lived experience I rarely encounter the average person in the street (or even among my peers) with the same or comparable luxury items I own.
Chanel flap bags are absolutely everywhere in London. Everywhere. Whether real or fake, is another matter. But it's difficult to walk more than a few yards in central London without seeing one
Same for me. Munich, Germany.
people should just buy things that they like! I don't think fashion should be "exclusive" at all. I will never care that most of the women around me have the cartier love bracelet, I still love mine! It seems very odd that people are so starved to stand out that they are upset when people have the same things they do. at that point, just get a tailor or cobbler? when i was a teenager, I had a jeep. It was so fun doing the jeep wave to all the other jeep owners. Now i feel like I do the same sort of thing when I see someone with a kelly, and I love it
I read a comment on another TH-camr's video that said : once there was an Amazon dupe your luxury item was no longer exclusive 🎯
Ha! I read that one too!
Excellent point!!
Just been to Florence a month ago, yes, absolutely agree on getting high quality dupes of B/K. I own a few Hermes bags, so I know exactly the difference. But, I actually bought a version of the Florence B/K combined, a Birkin with strap on!!! I honesty can say, that IS way better than the real Birkin. Reasons: 1) top quality leather (my whole wardrobe smell of fresh, top quality leather 😂), 2) the styling - I don’t need the logo, I just want quality and functionality 3)inside has lots of useful zipped pockets and compartments, no need to get extra bag inserts etc 4) absolutely do not care if I take it out in the rain, which I have done 😂, wipe and then done ❤ 4) price - absolutely insane, around £80! I didn’t need top copy because I think Birkin with STRAP is a much better design, period. 5) EVERYONE has seen my bag said it is a beautiful bag, even my male friends have no clue what this bag is, says it looks nice. Now, the key question - would this stop me buying Hermes bags? No. Because I really like their HSS models, exotic or vintage rare leather like Ardennes, these are money cannot “easily” buy rare models, so they are still very exclusive to me. Same go with every couture houses, if one go to buy their most common stuff, they are NOT exclusive products to start off with anyway. It’s not the brand, it’s the specific products or models of that brand that are exclusive. Like any luxury cars, pens, watches, glassware, paintings - all the same. Not all Rolexes are the same, you need to do homework what specs exactly you are buying. 😊😊 Love this video Sophie, thanks for sharing.❤❤❤
It's definitely LV-land in my region. Real and fake. That monogram print is everywhere and that's probably the social media/trend impact. I never used to see them as much around. I don't see Hermes but it's also more challenging to obtain here geographically so maybe still area-specific unless people roll the dice on second hand online . . .
the birkin definitely is past its peak.
Its amazing I never see any Dior, Chanel, once in a while a Louis, no Hermes either. Very strange, when I was in hospital for 2 weeks lasr year,I had my book tote,bag,and the young nurses said oh you have fake Dior,I just smile because they knew what they were but quick to say fake.People will think what they want to think,I never explain❤❤❤ myself to anyone.
Right! Only this never ending never full all around! Or other LV. South Germany. I wear also different Designers.
I don’t really know if I believe the “people buy fakes and auths to use the fakes and leave the auth at home” I truly believe that people will buy a fake of an auth bag to compare and once they see how good the fakes are they don’t bother to buy auth again. I may be wrong but that’s just my take.
Agree with you
Totally agree on the "starter kits." I believe everyone should follow the style and purchases that give them joy, but I think sometimes we get things because we keep seeing it everywhere, rather than because it fits our personal fashions and lifestyles.
It's social media. I'm in my late 40's and I remember 20+ years ago when the Chanel classic flap was regarded as a rich old lady's bag and a successful middle aged executive's bag. Thanks to influencers, the demand shot up etc. Now people in their 20s and early 30s are buying these bags. It doesn't bother me.
What does bother me is the fact that young men, who would normally NOT care about women's handbags (with the exception of a small percentage of fashionable guys), know the worth of these things = they are robbing like crazy in my city. You have to watch your back if you're purchasing high end bags and/or carrying them. Lots of thieving, plenty of which are gang related. The high end mall isn't safe anymore. Before social media, men who robbed just wanted money and maybe credit cards. Now they're robbing just for the sake of getting bags to resell!
Yes! This actually keeps me from getting one of these very recognizable bags! I carry concealed and I don’t want my purse grabbed with my firearm in it. I’d be forced to draw and fire over a purse.
They’re all fakes. I bought a Celine bag last year from China, high quality, $400 and it looks identical to the real thing and I’m about to buy an LV bag now. They’re all fakes and replicas. And they look amazing.
The shopping experience for these items doesn’t match the price either
I think all of luxury is just so oversaturated. Social media is too aggressive and in turn, we as comsumers have been over-exposed by it. I've been enjoying more niche/ mid-end bags. I've been enjoying the last 3 bags I've bought more than my high end ones. The brands are mach & mach, Ambush and Coperni.
I feel like "the new luxury" is not an item but the overall quality of a brand. Everything's so cheap these days that quality (luckily) becomes more and more important again. I even find outdoor wear to be luxurious if it is of high quality. And because more and more people tend to look for quality items, they start buying more expensive things. Also: if people aren't doing too great financially, luxury goods are known to become popular as they give instant gratification. And we're all feeling the higher costs of living. "You can't save enough money? Might as well spend it."
Clients buying the real one to stay at home and use the fake one ?? 🤔😧it is pathetic when some people insist on acting cheap !!! 😏hope her closet will enjoy it 😂😅
They use the fake ones so they don't get robbed when they go to bad neighborhoods to visit poor relatives. 😜
I agree with the VCA items. I wanted some yearsss ago, but wanted to invest in other things.
Now, every 20-something chick with a high tipping job is wearing VCA.
I walked up to a restaurant & and the Hostess was wearing a VCA necklace.
The club bottle service girls or bartenders are wearing VCA necklace, bracelet, Cartier, Tiffany, etc.
But, always always always the most popular same pieces.
It feels like it has nothing to do with loving it & everything to do with trying to flex & trying to prove they're "doing well"
but, I don't see them wearing any of the lesser known pieces from those brands. So now, everyone has the same basic jewelry collection & same handbag collection.
It makes these pieces less interesting
My mil is in her late 70s and she’s worth usd millions after her husband had passed away but she only carries simple leather bags and wears simple jewellery bcus she doesn’t feel the need to show her net worth on her body to society . Those who knows ..KNOWS
I went to a retro arcade last month and a lady in there had a Birkin... in a place where people are playing old school games for free with admission. Just seems like an odd place to wear a $15-20k ish purse
It might be real, it might not, but either way it seems like a random time
I've also seen someone bring their Birkin to lounge by the hotel pool... why not just leave this in your room instead of sitting in the hot sun? I guess if you don't trust the hotel, but then, that's still odd idk
This exclusivity thing… appears to be all about superficial privilege and class. I don’t think more then half the people buy Hermes because they love the bag, they want it because it symbolizes “I’m better then you. I’m richer than you.” I’m personally getting tired of watching influencers flaunt their Hermes bags like it’s just nothing. What it actually does is, it distances them from the millions that are watching. I use to watch many of them because it was fun entertainment, but nowadays it just feels like bragging.
The shame is that these items can be produced for the price that the good replicas are selling for. Think of that when you are paying thousands.
hi everyone! as much as I understand that many people are buying these items to show the status, I am not alone amongst people who liked them for the quality, craftsmanship and artistic value (great proportions or art enbeded on them like hermes scarves). What denerves me is the decline in quality and customer experience. They invest into experience for influencers, give them bags for free, pushing the collections our so fast and try to read foreign markets so they need to produce more and quickly which cheapens the actual product and therefore a brand. I wouldnt ming to spend 10K on chanel if I was rest assured that I am getting the best there is and it will not disolve and fall off within a year
also Hemes game is based on the feeling of inferiority, need to prove oneself ... sorry but I will never play this game, evren wehn I shop there, I see it only as what it is a shop with stuff (which I like but it is still only stuff)
Lidl has some really nice food and it's definitely worth trying some of the things that are clearly dupes of named brands as I often find I prefer them. Whether you can do a full shop might depend on the size of the branch and your dedication to specific branded products.
So many TH-camrs trade up by selling their lux bags to buy a Birkin and a Kelly. Always the same pattern. It gets very tiresome.
I know wealthy women who carry replicas. The main reason they gave is that they just understand the value of money and don’t want to spend so much money on a bag... *preluxs* allows them to save a lot.
Love your content, would also love some further career/finance advice from you. And I cannot wait for your Lidl vlog. How about Waitrose next?
I can certainly do some more financial videos on the new channel! And Waitrose too - thank you so much for the requests my friend 🥰🩷xx
I saw a video from a TH-camr who did a tour of Fashionphile l. My lord, it was a warehouse of handbags. So I can see why people can have these bags,they can get them for a good price, second hand. Not getting a Berkin or a Kelly.
….. and she was able to pick out the fake Chanel but not the fake Louis Vuitton Speedy.
@@wightwick13 that's because she grew up in Chanel boutiques, thanks to here mom. She can spot a fake Chanel from a mile away.🤔
It’s like the diamon suppliers at Antwerp and de beers they have sacks of diamonds but keeps the world supply low so they can sell it for millions for a 5 carat ring 💍
@@KS-zd4ew Like in 1981-1983 when Zaire stopped selling their diamonds through DeBeers London based CSO. DeBeers flooded the market and price of diamonds went from $3.00 to $1.98 per carat.
Lidl is decent but yes you can't do a full shop there
I shop weekly at Lidl in New York, they have everything and save lots of $ 😀
Good organic chicken 🤩
Your personality and accomplishments should be what makes you special. Not what you’re wearing.
Just like the Bottega drop earrings. Replica's everywere
Yeah and they are good quality on Amazon.
Ralph's is the CA part of the Kroger brand. There are some pretty good accounts like the Fake Birkin Slayer that call out people for posting fakes online. Once dupes get this common it does lessen the appeal of the originals. Even if they were all authentic, who wants to have the same items as everyone else around them?
I feel like nowadays we all dress up the same.. Whether it s real or fake I see love bracelets and just un clou everywhere , Chanel classic flaps and Hermes bags everywhere.. I love luxury items but they are brands that I see everywhere like Cartier for example I m not interested in anymore .. Thinking of selling few items from the brand ..
Ralph's must be west coast of USA, we don't have those on east coast! Probably Whole Foods is the boujie store and is nationwide in US. I also loooove Lidl! It's owned by same company that owns Aldi and Trader Joe's. Have fun! (I had to ask both Lidl employees AND friends from the UK how to pronounce it, and apparently, it's "leedle'),
Thank TH-cam and the rest of Social Media for the OVER exposure of Luxury. Many were stuck home the last couple of years so they had extra funds to look at these things and purchase. Now the world has opened up again and people don’t have the extracurricular discretionary funds for various reasons from economic/inflation to travel/leisure.
birkins, vca, cartier, Hermes slides & chanel classic flaps. Everyone has, I didn’t realize everyone was so wealthy lol
Exclusive is such a negative word, and exclusivity a negative concept. Whenever the words are used, they are there to encourage selfishness and inflated self-image.
Hermes bags are ugly, rigid and ages the wearing 10 years.
I hadn't visited a Lidl before meeting my husband. Now I'm a convert, you can't get a full grocery haul, that is true, but you can get amazing deals on things. Also, since you and David love dark chocolate, their dark chocolate (I think it is like 88% cocoa or sth like that) is incredible, and I'm quite the food snob. I think you'll both react positively to the experience, even though products change often. Their "upper level" products called excellence - i think- is really good quality. Lastly, try some of the small electronic devices such as hand mixers, air fryers, ice cream makers etc. if you're in the market for them, because they are really good quality and truly afordable
Interesting debate…. I see a lot of these items, not so much as a starter kit, I see them more as a luxury uniform which is worn in abundance in capital cities. ❤
I'm also in London, but tbh I rarely see hermes bags out and about. I think social media can make it seem as if more people than normal have certain things depending on who you follow and who else your algorithm decides to show you, but even going into central london, chanel and hermes bags (even the more obviously fake ones) are not common place. Sure if you go into harrods or hang around chelsea you'll see more of them, but walk even a couple of streets over into the more affordable parts of the city and those bags aren't there in abundance.
We're a long way off the burberry effect of the early 00s. I think with the vca jewellery I've seen a lot more of those, but I think that's because, like you mentioned in your video, every store has their own version of the alhambra chains, and those who want that exact look for less get them on dh gate or ali express. They're a lot easier to purchase than a convincing looking super fake.
I do find it interesting how many people who have the real thing don't want to wear theirs when they see other people with them, it makes me wonder did you even really like any of those things before or did you just want them as a status symbol
Luxury brands are ridiculously stupid. You pay $1000 more for a item that costed pennies to make just to “feel” like you have something “special. Biggest Scam Ever.
About 30 years ago I saw an LV back pack & lunch box to go along with the logo track suit. That’s when it dawned on me. It’s all a parody like Madeline Kahn’s character in High Anxiety. I know they were catering to the Hip Hop & Rap groups but it also cheapened it. 😢
Hi Sophie!!!! 10 mins late but I was enjoying the evening sun outside. Hugs xx
In my small island township in Asia , we see many ladies wearing Cartier love bracelets , VCA bracelets/ rings , Hermes birkin/kelly , Chanel classics but we will assume it’s fake items unless that lady is properly dressed up fr head to toes & drives a million dollar car 😂 that’s how we filter out the wanna be vs the real rich 😂
FYI Sophie…..a replica is a fake WITH LOGOS on it and they are ILLEGAL.
But a DUPE looks like it and is inspired by, but has NO LOGOS and is LEGAL.
So you were seeing dupes, not replicas of Hermes handbags.
I believe it applies to wallets and watches too, I’ve seen way too many Cartier bracelets and watches, even Rolex’s etc. everywhere in New York. I get the handbags for women, but for men the goyard wallet and the mentioned watches above are just as prominent. It sort of removes the allure for the item.
To your point on florence, you flashed a photo of the leather school's shop and i dont think that is fair to include them in this discussion as 1. They arent making a fake, they are their own brand and 2. Its important to keep that trade alive with actual artisans and that is where they learn. I have one of their bags and its absolutely amazing.
I love your voice! Thanks for sharing your lovely HIDUPZ bag / wardrobe collection :) I actually love how you store your collection and definitely an inspiration for me in my future home
Was it EVER really exclusive? Is it because of social media that it seems that luxury is everywhere? For ALL wanting truly exclusive items, get custom clothes, shoes and bags designed and made just for you. Otherwise, if someone is paying thousands for bags and clothes and wanting it to be exclusive, are you buying quality or are you paying for the name/logo? What is wrong with ANY person who can afford the item just purchasing the item? If those fashion houses weren't selling lots of items, they would NOT have been in business for all these years. Thus, the items have been common.
I feel like any "luxury" bag that is mass-produced, is not exclusive. Also, what is the point of exclusivity? That only a few people wear them? I mean it's really for one's ego, nothing to do with the exclusivity.
This will be imitated. And honestly, if Dior, for example, has products manufactured by subcontractors, even shady people, you shouldn't be surprised if the fakes are authentic. Some of them are probably made in the same factories as the originals, in a "night shift" and then sold for 300 to 400 euros
Honey you must be hanging with the rich and famous because where I am everyone is still wearing Coach and Michael Kors for luxury bags. LMAOOO
I personally think the birkins, mini Kelly have lost exclusivity to you because your in a city where it is sought out and a lot of tourist go there to buy them BUT here in the US, in Texas, I have not seen a single one. So it's a manner of perspective. PLUS you are a TH-camr, what percentage of the population is a TH-camr but also how many of them own one. Again, a matter of perspective and where you fit in this society. To me these bags are rare. I still think a mini Kelly suits you very well. Enjoy your economic chats.
There is no comparable to m+s in the USA … Ralph’s maybe Tesco / Sainsbury level but still not really comparable. Americans buy food in a very different way.
I totally agree! Whenever I seen VCA/Cartier items that are well known with Oran sandals and the same luxury bags I just think the person wants others to know what they have rather than buying things that they love and are authentically their style.
Also, I’m happy to sell you my pink Constance 18 - she’s a beauty but I’m not a pink girl
When you begin seeing people at the airport boarding in any other line than first or business class -
wearing VC jewelry, Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel - sorry sister, they aren’t considered luxury anymore.😂
The quality has dropped well below what it used to be. Yes things change but quality is not variable. Luxury isn’t luxurious anymore, are they selling us counterfeit quality with authentic logo?🤔
There are a tremendous amount of super fakes. I know several ladies who use a particular factory that basically makes bespoke Chanel and other luxury brands. The factory will purchase the authentic bag and literally dissect them and create models/frames, etc. They willl import leather directly from the same tanneries and make them in a batch. So they will show the model, show the leather, threads, hardware and then basically you wait a few months and boom. I have a jeweler who will make me anything I want based off pics or even whatever changes I want - and then make it. I don't get the pieces branded since most of the time it is fantasy or things I wished that a company made and didnt. I used to buy tremendous amounts of authentic jewelry, bags (hermes included), etc - the things I still buy authentic are Hermes shawls since I love them - and watches - but I have zero desire for more "luxury" bags or even jewelry. I love getting things made specifically to what I desire and have come up with some neat creations that I like.
The Van Cleef Alhambra has been duped forever. I bought a "travel" version in the Caribbean of the mother of pearl necklace in 2002. The concept is that it's nice jewelry but less expensive for safer travels. It looks great over twenty years later. These aren't $30 shlock.
I don’t drive or take cabs, I walk or take the subway/railroad. I have noticed women have dressed down, I no longer see lux bags on the train like I used to. Working women are no longer dressed in lux. It’s either the economy or fear of being robbed.
-NYC
There’s nothing exclusive unless it’s 1 of 1
I love lidl. I am living in Holland by the way. I Just bought sandal Just like hermes model 100 leather only for 13 euro's..
Me too. Bought dupes of both the Hermes slippers and a Van Cleef necklace and studs set from local businesses on Crete. Very nice quality and no where near the original prices.
The trend is turning. Chanel is out
In the same way that it's illegal for someone to steal your identity it's illegal to carry or buy a fake. Yet they are everywhere 😂 why is that? Definitely no to fakes. But yes all these items now are everywhere! Luxury has become affordable maybe? So is there another price rise soon? Greetings from 🇨🇾
MoMcoco Bolsa réplica 1:1 con imagen reflejada, resistente y resistente al desgaste. Me gusta mucho.
To me, it’s dhgate and brand obsession. It’s very hard to tell what is real and fake, and it seems we are putting up with garbage quality in exchange for brand status. I would rather purchase from small brands because of this.
Hermes Oran sandals are classics your to fixated on the Hermes so called game that you don’t realise Hermes actually have classic items people wanna buy. There are stories of people just walking in getting a bag
I think part of the problem now is that so many of these brands have gone the mass production route. When you are only producing 1,000 of a particular item in a year, that's exclusive. When you produce 100,000, it is no longer exclusive. I used to work in a business that sold limited edition artwork and at one point this became a serious issue when the "limited" numbers started getting ridiculous. It literally killed the market.
The fashion houses got greedy. And with that, they damage the brand
I would just buy the Knock off designer bag because they look just as high quality and no one is going to scrutinize your bag that closely. No one cares and everyone understands.
Well said Sophie 👏 I think social media and products going viral make it difficult to be unique. Niche perfumes, Cartier love bracelet, limited edition everything. Consumerism at its best sadly.
I buy for quality. I would like everyone in the world to be able to buy whatever anyone else can buy. I feel like buying for exclusivity is not for me. IMO
Does anyone notice spam comments on Sophie channel? I have seen these spam messages on every channel I follow. We don’t need counterfeit goods thank you 🙏🏻
The Era of Dupes. I think M&S online has a Kelly dupe too?
omg! love that you know Ralph's! 😂 😂 😂
I don't get it. Do people who buy loads of bags have so many events? Are they collectors or they just wear them to their next shopping spree?
At this point I assume every chanel classic flap, Birkin and van cleef jewelry I see is counterfeit.
Sophie I feel the same about those brands , they aren’t exclusive to me anymore .. Social Media, replicates have ruined those pieces that used to be on my wish list..
YES, these coveted and supposedly extremely hard to attain purses are quite visible in public!!! Very good point!
I am seeing high quality on the wealthy Middle East population or people wearing quality replicas.
The moment influencers started wearing them. That's when in my opinion.
She keeps saying "luxury starter kit" but I keep peepin👀 that 90s starter kit choker 😂
God bless this woman! Her*jklux* bag is amazing
As a luxury lover myself, I truly don't care if I see pieces I love all over the place or not. If I love it and can afford it, I will purchase it and use it. I don't think anyone should worry about what others are wearing. I don't think that should influence what one purchases.
This is a good point. Blue jeans are everywhere. We continue to buy and wear them! Because they look good / fit out lifestyle / make is feel good etc. What I do find curious, however, is women with a £5000 bag, yet the rest of the outfit does not match in quality - cheaply made bits from Primark, H and M etc. Better, in my opinion, to have a well made £300 bag and distribute the rest of the £5000 on quality pieces for your wardrobe so that one looks holistically 'polished' and 'put together'.
What do you think of Celine Sophie? You never mention this brand ❤
When Queen Camilla started wearing the Alhambra range I knew I was done with it.
Maybe, some women prefer to buy preloved instead of play the Hermes game 🤔
Oran sandals are easy to buy in Hermès shops.
I would just have the bracelet made and not buy them from VCA
Sooooooooo many fake H sandals out there. Seen so many shops selling them wherever I go as so easy to copy