by CRIS&COCO | Dec 5, 2023 | Luxury Industrial Complex
The Unsolvable Puzzle of HERMÈS
Are you still fantasizing about a HERMÈS Birkin or Kelly? Well, brace yourself for a rollercoaster of hope, confusion, and a sprinkle of desperation. The process of acquiring one of these enigmatic quota bags remains a mystery wrapped in a riddle, tucked inside a HERMÈS shopping bag. Walking into a boutique and simply buying your dream bag? How quaint!
Image courtesy @jns.ake
The Ever-Shifting HERMÈS Rulebook
It seems HERMÈS might just be borrowing tactics from quantum physics – the rules change as soon as you look at them. Our article, “Rumor or Fact: HERMÈS is Changing the Rules,” confirmed that, indeed, the rules are as stable as a house of cards in a wind tunnel. For those who missed it, the changes include expanding the quota bag universe, playing musical chairs with the number of bags allowed per year, and introducing a global tracking system that would make Santa Claus envious.
Navigating the HERMÈS Maze
If only Hermès would publish a simple ‘How to Get a Quota Bag’ guide! But where’s the fun in that? Instead, we have a secret playbook known only to a select few, and even they can’t agree on the rules. It’s like trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle with half the pieces missing – in the dark – blindfolded.
photo courtesy @msrach_
Paris: The Shifting Sands of HERMÈS Shopping
Once upon a time, Paris was the promised land for HERMÈS enthusiasts. Now, it’s more like trying to win the lottery, but with worse odds. Online appointments are as elusive as a unicorn in a game of hide-and-seek. And if you do get an appointment, don’t count your Birkins before they hatch.
The Hermès Pre-Spend Paradox
In the good old days, Paris was where dreams came true without spending a dime. Now, the more you spend, the more you might get the chance to spend even more. It’s a spending spiral that would make even the most seasoned shoppers dizzy.
photo courtesy @chitzabelle
A Tale of Two Bags: The Quota Bag Saga
In Paris, a Birkin is a quota bag, a Constance might be, and a Kelly Pochette is… well, it’s complicated. It’s like a game of bag bingo where the rules are made up, and the points don’t matter.
The One-Bag Limit: A Parisian Tragedy
In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, buying a non-quota bag one day might just sabotage your chances of getting a quota bag the next. It’s the HERMÈS version of ‘choose wisely.’
The American Quota Quest
Across the pond, every HERMÈS boutique is like a kingdom with its own rules. The quest for a quota bag in the U.S. is like navigating a maze designed by a whimsical wizard.
photo courtesy @sonnetsofsilk
The British Wishlist Wonderland
Meanwhile, in the U.K., the HERMÈS wishlist system operates with the precision and clarity of a British afternoon tea. Sort of. You can wish, but whether your wish comes true is another story.
Final Thoughts: The HERMÈS Mirage
Shopping at HERMÈS is like chasing a mirage. You might think you see a Birkin on the horizon, but as you get closer, it vanishes into thin air. Remember, in the world of Hermès, nothing is certain except uncertainty and the allure of the chase.
So, dear Hermès hunters, share your tales of triumph or despair. Has the HERMÈS game changed for you? Or are you still trying to find the rulebook?
photo courtesy @mrs_bcworld
by CRIS&COCO | Nov 28, 2023 | Luxury Industrial Complex
The Unspoken Language of the XXL Bag
The XXL bag, a veritable cornucopia of personal items, emerges as a fashion statement and a symbol of societal truths. The trend, reminiscent of a doner kebab spilling its contents, signifies more than a sartorial choice. It’s an inadvertent nod to the chaos and clutter of modern existence. Fashion houses like MIU MIU and BALENCIAGA have turned these overflowing vessels into runway staples, embedding subtle personal character and lifestyle cues into each design. Yet, beneath their stylish exterior lies a more profound commentary on the luxury industrial complex’s grasp on our quest for identity.
A model walks the catwalk during the Miu Miu spring/summer 2024 show in Paris. Photograph: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
The Hermès Birkin and Beyond: Icons of Contradiction
The legendary HERMÈS Birkin, famously overfilled by its namesake, Jane Birkin, epitomizes this contradiction to the point of absurdity. It’s a luxury icon, yet its usage mocks the very essence of luxury. The Birkin’s transition from a status symbol to a catch-all rugby ball reflects a societal shift. The trend’s absurdity peaks with the “Microscopic Handbag,” a satirical take on the practicality of high fashion. These style choices, once reserved for the elite, have trickled down to the public domain, raising questions about the role of fashion in everyday life.
Jane Birkin with her overstuffed tote with a Tibetan flag taped to it in 2008. Photograph: Thomas Samson/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Fashion’s Mirror to Society: Class, Gender, and the Handbag
The XXL bag trend mirrors societal divisions, with its roots tracing back to Roman times when the act of carrying signified social status. This historical through-line continues to influence contemporary fashion. The overstuffed bag, a symbol of the ‘frazzled Englishwoman,’ challenges traditional notions of femininity and perfection. Yet, when carried by men, the perception shifts dramatically, highlighting gender biases deeply ingrained in society. This disparity underscores the handbag’s role as a vessel of social commentary, reflecting class and gender dynamics.
The XXL Bag: A Styling Trick or a Societal Necessity?
Ultimately, the XXL bag transcends its role as a fashion accessory. For some, like Liana Satenstein, it’s a magical abyss, a black hole of necessity. For others, like Lauren Friedman, it represents freedom from physical and metaphorical baggage. At its core, this trend is a paradoxical blend of high fashion’s glorification of the mundane and a genuine reflection of everyday struggles. It’s a styling illusion that, ironically, reveals the raw truths of our society. Ultimately, the XXL bag is not just a trend; it’s a mirror to our lives, a symbol of the burdens we carry, both visible and unseen.
Balenciaga, summer 2024 collection. Photograph: PR IMAGE
by CRIS&COCO | Nov 15, 2023 | Luxury Industrial Complex
Introduction: The Passion Asset Paradox
Welcome to the dazzling world of ‘Passion Asset Investments,’ where your love for luxury items can magically transform into a sound financial strategy. Here, we’ll take a tour of this ‘too-good-to-be-true’ market, where art and extravagance meet investment advice.
“Passion Asset” HERMÈS Birkin Bag
The Rise of ‘Passion Assets’: A Comical Investment Trend
In the latest twist of financial fantasy, ‘passion assets’ have emerged as the superheroes of the investment world. These tangible treasures promise a unique blend of personal joy, exclusive community access, and potential long-term growth. Whether art, luxury bags, or a bottle of vintage wine, these assets offer the tantalizing possibility of expanding your portfolio while rubbing elbows with fellow enthusiasts. And let’s not forget the potential to accumulate social capital—because nothing says friendship like shared investment interests!
The Carousel of Collectibles: From Art to Absurdity
The spectrum of passion assets is as diverse as it is amusing. From classic cars to luxury goods, each item is a testament to the art of wishful thinking in investment. Art remains a top performer, with its value as subjective as the colors on the canvas. And let’s give a round of applause to NFTs, the digital darlings that have redefined art collections, making every pixel count in the investment game.
Navigating the Passion Asset Wonderland: Experts to the Rescue
The complexity of this market isn’t just about choosing between HERMÈS or a Rembrandt; it’s a thrilling adventure in authentication, maintenance, and the hope that your luxury bag doesn’t go out of style. Fear not, though! There are experts, aplenty, ready to guide you through this luxurious labyrinth with their invaluable insights.
Mastering the Art of Passion Investments: A Balancing Act
Striking the perfect balance between passion and practicality is key. It’s about being as enthusiastic about your financial planning as you are about the sparkle of your new Rolex. Remember, with great luxury comes great responsibility—like ensuring your rare whiskey collection doesn’t just become an expensive drinking habit.
“Passion Investments” ROLEX Watch
The Social Soiree of Passion Assets: Networking with Nobility
Investing in passion assets isn’t just about the money—it’s about the people you’ll meet and the high society you’ll join. Imagine the deep connections you’ll form discussing the latest trends in luxury handbags or the intricacies of fine art. After all, what are friends for if not to admire your latest collectible?
Investment Clubs: The Elite Gathering of Passion Enthusiasts
In these hallowed halls of high-end hoarding, you’ll find investment clubs and communities where you can share tips, sip on fine wine, and discuss whether that vintage car will actually start when you want it to. It’s about pooling resources, expertise, and occasionally, commiserating over a less-than-lucrative luxury purchase.
Conclusion: The Endearing Charm of Passion Assets
As we conclude our whimsical wander through the world of passion assets, remember: this market is about more than just financial gain. It’s about the joy of owning something that sparkles, the thrill of being part of an exclusive club, and the faint hope that your luxury items will someday pay for themselves. In the end, the true value of these assets lies not in their price tags, but in the stories they tell and the laughs they bring.
by CRIS&COCO | Nov 10, 2023 | Luxury Industrial Complex
The Investment Bag Illusion
Once upon a time in the fashion world, “investment” didn’t just mean something you could flaunt on your arm—it meant quality, timelessness, and a wise choice to buck the fast fashion trend mill. Oh, how the mighty term has fallen! Now, the luxury market has hijacked ” investment ” to describe the purchase of extravagant handbags with the hope they’ll rake in more cash than a golden goose—assuming that the goose is a HERMÈS Birkin bag.
The HERMÈS Birkin. Message in a Bubble
The Birkin Bubble: A Study in Scarlet (Leather)
Cast your mind back to 2016, when Baghunter—an advocate for the elite handbag hoarders—proclaimed that Birkin bags outperformed stocks and gold. Their valuation, seemingly immune to the laws of economic gravity, Birkins were championed as the new gold standard despite being about as liquid as a concrete lifejacket. Who needs the S&P 500 when you can clutch cold, stiff leather?
The High-Fashion Folly: Bags vs. Bonds
Jefferies jumped on the bandwagon, pointing out that one could make a killing by reselling their luxury loot for an eye-watering profit. They neglected, however, to mention that for every fairy-tale ending, there’s a closet full of handbags that didn’t get the pumpkin carriage to the resale ball.
Auction House Hype and the Mirage of Market Value
Auction houses, those paragons of price inflation, now peddle handbags alongside ancient artifacts. Not one to miss out on a lucrative trend, Christie’s has gone from dabbling to dealing, turning handbag auctions from a quaint pastime into a full-blown feeding frenzy.
The Reality Check: Not All Glitters is Gold (or Leather)
While luxury goods can sometimes fend off the big bad wolf of inflation, let’s not kid ourselves that a Birkin is a brick of gold in disguise. The handbag market is a drop in the ocean compared to traditional investments, and it’s as stable as a house of fashionista cards. Plus, the exclusivity that fuels demand for these “assets” could wane faster than the trend cycle.
The Apple of Discord: Brand Appeal and the Whims of Wealth
We’d be remiss not to draw comparisons to Apple—another luxury brand that could lose its luster faster than a new iPhone model. Yet, even if Apple’s star were to fall, one could sell their shares before you could say “market crash.” Try doing that with a closet full of last season’s HERMÈS.
The Inconvenient Truth of Luxury ‘Investments’
The unpredictability of the luxury bag market makes it a gamble, with risks ranging from damage to the threat of knock-offs. Investing in these goods is as surefire as playing hot potato with your savings.
The Bottom Line: A Market on Stilts
Despite the shaky foundations, the allure of the luxury handbag as an investment piece persists. Brands are laughing all the way to the bank, buoyed by narratives that equate their products to blue-chip stocks. And let’s not forget the second-hand market’s contribution to this inflated bubble, reassuring the consumer that their expensive tastes are, in fact, an astute financial strategy.
Conclusion: The Emperor’s New Clutch
Ultimately, it seems the luxury market has convinced the world that these handbags are less about fashion and more about finance. Whether this tale ends with a handsome profit or a closet full of depreciating assets, one thing’s for sure: in the grand bazaar of luxury investments, the handbags might be the emperor strutting around in his new, exclusive, and incredibly pricey clothes.
by CRIS&COCO | Nov 6, 2023 | Fake Industry
The Illusion of Luxury: Can You Spot the Difference?
The world of fashion is buzzing with a new kind of high – the super realistic fake designer bags that are giving original brands a run for their money. Forget the obvious knockoffs of the past; today’s counterfeits are so convincing they’re even duping the style-savvy influencers on social media.
The Great Pretenders: When Fakes Become Fabulous
Amy Wang from the New York Times Magazine spills the tea on this new breed of “Super Fakes.” These bags are so spot-on that they leave both amateurs and experts second-guessing. Amy challenges our reporters with two bags – both fakes so fine, they could pass for the real luxe deal.
The Faux Pas: How Fake Became the New Real
What’s behind this surge of super fakes? Amy points out the perfect storm: sky-high prices of genuine bags pushing consumers towards more wallet-friendly (and Instagrammable) alternatives, and savvy Chinese manufacturers who’ve mastered the art of the sale via social media ads. The result? A booming market for bags that look a million bucks, minus the hefty price tag.
Designer Dilemma: The Battle Against the Counterfeit Wave
Designer brands are in a tizzy, throwing billions to combat the counterfeit craze, while US customs plays a never-ending game of catch with a mere 5% inspection rate. The odds, it seems, are in the favor of fake aficionados.
Generation Fake: The Zero Guilt in Buying Dupes
Studies show that Gen Z is leading the charge in the fake fashion revolution, with a staggering majority openly opting for counterfeits. It’s a mix of economic savvy and a rebellious ‘stick it to the man’ attitude that’s changing the game.
So, who’s winning in this high-stakes game of imitation and flattery? It seems like the super fake bags are having their moment in the spotlight, and from the looks of it, they’re here to stay – leaving us all questioning, “Is the real deal really worth it?”
