Spotted: Orignal Louis Vuitton Graffiti bag

While I was on the bus going up Van Ness, this well-dressed, handsome man (probably gay, I'm sure. Aren't they always? Lol.) was carrying a Louis Vuitton Graffiti bag. I actually took this picture this weekend, before the news broke yesterday about Marc Jacobs reviving Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton next month.

I just love how I live in the only city where it's OK, no matter how much money you make or what you were, you can still be riding around on a bus.

What to Wear Daily: Is that a fake?

While I was at work... I was asked a question that I have never been asked. Let me first show you what I was wearing (minus me of course... I don't know why I'm not ready to post pictures of myself on here yet.)

Client: Oh... I love your coat!
Me: Thanks... it's one of my favorite pieces I own.
Client: Is it fake Chanel?
Me: (laughs) There's no reason to have this if it was going to be fake.
Client: Yeah... you are right.

And then we started to discuss about counterfeiting. I have done a few posts about counterfeiting and I will never support it. It's the reason why Louis Vuitton is too expensive to afford. I remember my friend telling me that she had to go to work to do inventory at the Louis Vuitton store here in the SF. They actually do a 10% mark up twice a year. Companies like Chanel and LVMH lose millions of dollars because people continue to do this. It really needs to stop. I would rather wear a label less bag any day compared to something counterfeit. What is the use of wearing something that is suppose to symbolize status when you technically don't have it... right?

Here are some fun detail pics of my outfit. (Chanel cashmere tweed jacket, Mossimo for Target gray linen dress, Marc Jacobs Collection crocodile ivory shoes, vintage and H&M necklaces and MJ rat ring)




I'm sorry I've been holding back with all my good stuff I have. I will honestly try to post more with what I have been wearing.

Window-watching: upclose and personal.

Normally, I look at runway shows just from afar (on my computer or a magazine, of course) but I've changed my ways lately. About 2 months ago, I was hanging out with my brother (an architect) in downtown SF doing some family bonding. We had to do a little shopping for him, which is the hardest thing to do sometimes... he is a size that is nearly impossible to find. So, I start to get frustrated after going to 6 more stores than I would like. I like to go into places where I know I'm going to find exactly what I want... but with him, it's hit and miss. Shopping for him becomes a little bit of a task because of the restrictions I'm given. So, he starts to feel bad and asks me, "Where do you want to go?"

Today, we strolled over to Barney's New York. I like to look around to see the collections up close and personal. A block away is the Louis Vuitton store. He started to talk about how he hated all of the LV bags running all over the place (about 98% of them are actually fake). I mentioned that they actually had very well-made bags that did have the logo but it wasn't as obvious. Of course, those bags cost 3 to 4 times more. So, we go ahead and check it out. He then started to ask me about the clothing line that bears the name. I really ever see people actually wearing any of the pieces and I don't know why. Maybe sometimes I don't notice it. They are so well tailored and designed. One of the pieces that really stood out for me for fall was this one:



These shoes were also to die for. The stiletto heel is completely disconnected from the wedge heel. I love the idea of it! Take notice that when the model steps down, the stiletto heel becomes connected as one with the wedge.

I wish I had brought a camera with me so I could really show you the details of the dress. Sometimes I look at items like this that are simple, but when you are close, so detailed. I'm always blown away. No wonder why this particular piece has a $3000 price tag. Marc Jacobs design ascetic is there; you can tell that it's his work, but it's still separate from his namesake line.

Sometimes when I come into stores like this, I get kind of nervous... only because I'm not going to buy anything. Sometimes I feel awkward just looking around knowing. I'm getting over it because I'm able to know so much more about fashion by looking at each of the pieces that I see on the runway.

P.S.
I also went by Neiman Marcus and found out that Proenza Schouler (designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough) were there doing an in-store appearance. Ugh... I was 2 hours too late. The fashion gods really don't love me too much here. ):

Pharrell's Blason jewelry for LV makes it's debut.

(Pharrell Williams in Louis Vuitton Ad Fall/Winter '06-'07)

Pharrell Williams has already designed sunglasses for Louis Vuitton a few seasons back. I remember that they cost anywhere from $800 to $1200 a pair (I went ahead and called the store for my brother that was looking sunglasses... and his Million Dollar glasses were $1000). I didn't have the cash for that then... and I won't have the cash now for his new jewelry line for Louis Vuitton that will be launching via their website on Monday.

I like seeing well-dressed hip-hop moguls collaborating with luxury designers, especially Pharrell. Pharrell has this really cool persona that other hip hop artists don't have and I can't really put my figure on it. In many ways, I don't really look at him as just a hip hop artist and I never have. He didn't have a name until N.E.R.D. I don't feel like he is completely mainstream or overdone. He isn't labeled as this or that. He is labeled as someone successful with whatever he touches and he has done it slowly, which is key on staying up on top for a long time.

When I first heard about Pharrell collaborating with Marc Jacobs with sunglasses, I was really excited to see what that would do to the hip hop community. Also, what would be defined as street wear. Street wear is huge industry and there are tons of people out there willing to pay a lot of money to get the lastest and greatest. Also, they love to own what their favorite artists are wearing. I like the fact that street wear designers has been mixing with luxury brands. I hope that keeps up.

don't FAKE it.

(from www.eluxury.com)

Counterfeit goods have been made for decades, but just recently the NYC police has been cracking down on counterfeiters. They raided the famous Canal Street in Chinatown (NY) in February. The police seized over $1 million in knockoff accessories and fragrances, that included Prada, Coach, Fendi, Gucci, Dior and Burberry.

Just hours before Marc Jacobs and Takashi Murakami's Louis Vuitton exhibit was going to be unveiled in Brooklyn, the police raided Queens. According to WWD, the warehouse carried over $5 million in fake handbags and sneakers, anywhere from fakes Vuitton handbags to Nike footwear and Bathing-Ape jogging suits. There were "more than 50,000 handbags, 65,000 pairs of Nike shoes and... 6,000 two-piece jogging suits" in a large two-level building.

I don't think people understand the extent of how illegal it is to by counterfeit goods. Prices for luxury goods have been increasing because of the counterfeiting industry growing.

I don't understand why people even wear or buy counterfeit goods. The reason why you would want a monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag is because you want the status that comes along with it. Now, how do you have the status when it's fake? Not everyone can afford it, but people forget that it's illegal to be buying it.

handbags.

Even though shoes are having their runway moment right now, bags have been a major focus in the past few years as well. Consumers have been pushing towards purchasing luxury goods and handbags that are long lasting, everyday wear items.

According to WWD, Coach Handbags are the most recognized brand when it comes to consumers. I don't have anything against the people who carry the bags, but it's a pet peeve of mine and I can't handle it. Everywhere I travel, whether it be anywhere in the U.S. or even Southeast Asia, these logo bags are everywhere. Even in Honolulu, Hawaii, the abundance of Coach stores makes it look like the Starbucks of handbags. The brand has grown to be worth $2.6 billion, and if consumers continue to buy their products, they hope to make it $5 billion in the next few years.

Coach is definitely a brand that is more accessible than Louis Vuitton that got the number 2 slot. At least you can get a Coach bag on sale at any major department store, but at Louis Vuitton... not so much. Louis Vuitton never goes on sale, let alone their prices never go down. Only about 2% of people carrying Louis Vuitton bags have the real deal, which is a extremely low percentage considering the monogrammed bags have been around for decades. On average, a Coach bag is $400, a price that is more attainable in suburban America, but why not choose something without the logos? For example:

Alright, I know it's little steep (on official Coach website, $4800) but it definitely looks a lot more sophisticated than the first one photographed above. Plus an exotic ostrich bag will always end up costing more.

Or you can always go a different route and not choose a Louis or Coach and get a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag, which is just as trendy, but less people are carrying it around. Prices on Marc by Marc bags are close to Coach ones. On average probably like $450 and they are available at Macy's and Nordstrom stores. If you don't have either of those stores in your town, you can always get them on http://www.nordstrom.com or http://www.eluxury.com.