February 01, 2008

That Piece of Metal

Up to now, my favourite and most trust-worthy going-out handbag is a small Vuitton Vernis pouch. While I'm not big on monograms, I do think that the monogram on Vernis isn't as obvious or popular as the typical tan-coloured monograms. But what I really like about the Vernis bag is that it's made of patent leather, meaning that it's not 'the end of the bag' if someone spilt a drink on it. Plus the shininess of patent leather just somehow seems to suit going-out at night. But after using it for a few years, it's beginning to turn yellow and just recently at the back of Teen Vogue, the Vuitton ad was advertising this new Vernis bag:

On first glance, I thought it looked like a pretty and practical going-out bag that could last at least four seasons. But right in the centre of the bag, there's gold piece of metal that says 'Louis Vuitton'. In my mind, that's a con.


Unfortunately, having this big piece of metal on bags seems like a thing Marc Jacobs has been favouring in the recent seasons, whether it's at Vuitton...

or Marc Jacobs. Honestly, when I first saw those Marc Jacobs bags in real life, I remember thinking, 'That's ugly. Why would MJ add that brand-named-metal on such nice, contemporary bags?' And is it really necessary? It's usually pretty obvious when a bag is by Marc Jacobs (to me anyways.)

MJ seemed to have started these metal tags a few seasons back with Vuitton's canvas bags. I remember really not liking the tags back then. The thing is, it's understandably harder now for designers to differentiate their bags in the market from high street ones, especially when high street stores manage to produce the bags so quickly and some stores (eg. Zara) actually manage to make the bags to not look cheap. But is this really what designers are offering us now?

This season, Marc by Marc Jacobs has shrunk their metal tag smaller into this 'standard supply' tag, which is kind of an improvement from last season's metal plates (literally). (If you've visited a Marc boutique last season, you would have probably noticed some of the bags had HUGE Marc metal plates on them.)

Gucci has stitched on italic 'Gucci' on some of its bags in recent seasons too. But for some odd reason, it seemed more artistic and prettier than the Louis Vuitton metal tags -and I'm not even a fan of Gucci bags. (The picture here has a huge 'Gucci' name on it. The Gucci bags I'm referring to have smaller ones stitched on.)

Anyways, back to the first Vuitton bag on the top of this post, what does everyone think about it? I can't decide whether the gold metal tag is horrible enough to make me stop considering it!

23 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

wooo first comment Oh yeah i think the 1st is actually cite i got a black louis bag and it's gorgie!!!!!!!!!

2/01/2008 5:12 AM  
Blogger Meghan said...

I've always hated advertising for companies by wearing their logo so prominently on my clothing and accessories. They should pay me for the advertisement, rather than the other way around. I had been admiring the Marc Jacobs bags recently, but didn't notice the big tags--it really brings them down a few notches in my book. The tags and logos make things look cheap and tacky. I'd rather just enjoy beautiful lines and construction.

2/01/2008 5:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well, if the plate says Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, or Gucci it's okay; if it says Liz Claiborne it's not okay ;-)

2/01/2008 5:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think it's a bit too much. I love Vuitton Vernis, I have a bigger yellow one that I actually carried to interviews- I work in advertising so I love looking young, fashionable but still professional.

But for the gold plate ruins it, I think. I love the red Vernis you've posted, but already with the gold chain, the metal plate added a little unwanted tack. Maybe you can pull it off, but I know how tacky things on Asian girls (like myself) can somehow enhance bad stereotypes/puff up the tackiness. There HAS to be something else less compromising- it IS a Vuitton, don't get it unless you love it!

2/01/2008 6:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DISAGREE

the tags give them an modern industrial look

PLUS
that Gucci bag is SICK
Seriously do people think that looks the least bit classy?
That big looks so cheap, it's horrible. I can see a girl carrying that in walmart with jeans knee length shorts and high heeled sneakers--- GLAMOROUS....

2/01/2008 6:36 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I agree with Fiona, I think that the bag is cute, but like she said with the gold chain and the gold tag advertising the brand name, its just a bit overboard. Too much gold, not enough bag.

2/01/2008 10:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

hideous... absolutely. there's just way too much going on, the patent, chain and gold.

the mj one's are ok because the matt leather offsets all the bling. and like one of the comments, it actually makes the bag look very modern.

2/01/2008 12:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Honestly, why would anyone pay a bazillion dollars for a designer purse? That's just dumb.

As far as the name plates... The fact that they have to stamp their name on it for it to sell kinda says something, don't you think?


In other words, THEY AIN'T ALL THAT. Don't waste your money.

2/01/2008 12:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

it is horrible. i was going to post about this too but i didn't want to disparage my friends who love louis vuitton.

lv vernis never had those gold plates before. as if people needed the extra affirmation that "hey, it IS louis vuitton!" the multiple logos would have already told you that. but no. they just had to add the damned gold plate. yuck!

2/01/2008 9:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Remember those prada nylon bags that were big in the 90's? These make me thing of that because of the logo.

I still have the knockoff I was given in middle school and I carry that sucker with the logo on the inside.

2/02/2008 1:11 AM  
Blogger becca said...

These name plates have been everywhere for a while. This fall I know Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Dooney and Burke, and Calvin Klein all had them. A lot of lower priced branks like Guess, Fossil, and such all had them too.

It's all a bit much.

2/02/2008 9:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Big name designers will want to SHOW that its THIER bag...by putting large print, and name plates.
If you don't like that then i advise going for a cheaper bag.

and anyways if you did have a designer bag wouldn't you want to flaunt it?

2/02/2008 12:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Personally I think the gold plate looks a little kitchy, i wouldn't consider buying something with such a high price tag just to have people look at it and wonder if it's fake.. but the choice is up to you.

2/02/2008 4:56 PM  
Blogger Atheena Som said...

i personally feel that the tags are perfectly fine and in fact, quite classy. reminds me of those times fakes haven't exactly surfaced and it's actually ok to have the brand name so obviously splashed on the bag itself. however, the marc jacobs tags are way too ... gross.

2/03/2008 12:47 AM  
Blogger Jenny said...

I HATE being treated like a walking advertisement, although I agree with the above statement that it's a bigger no-no for smaller labels than the major ones. What's so weird is that every company thinks that its patrons would want to give them this kind of FREE advertising. Come on! Whatever happened to word of mouth? :roll:

When I was asked to check out the goods made by a new local designer, my main criticism was the blatant logo! :P Gee, who does he think he is: Ralph Lauren? And I even dislike the latter's use of that ploy!

2/03/2008 8:18 AM  
Blogger Bagaholicboy said...

honestly the vernis sunset is very nice. and when it is slung on your shoulder, the logo is covered anyway. get the bag, because you love it. ;)

2/03/2008 6:09 PM  
Blogger STYLE AND THE CITY . COM - PARIS said...

hEy !

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here form Paris i write street style photo romances in order to show that fashion is for sheep whereas style gives you personality !

have a look and let me know what the professional you are think about that

ps : in the "in english" section, you have stories translated in english

Kamel LAHMADI
STYLE AND THE CITY - PARIS
street style romancer in Paris

2/03/2008 8:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ok, so metallics are the hottest look of the season! I found these bags at artfulwears.com which are verstaile and funky. Much more affordable then this Gucci Bag for those who can't splurge!

2/09/2008 12:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does anyone know the name of that MJ bag (one with the chain)? I can't find it anywhere.

5/14/2008 10:32 PM  
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