The Definitive MANBAG Thread Part I: 2009-2014

[jet]

John curious to hear your view on mandarina.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by jet

John curious to hear your view on mandarina.
I wasn't thrilled with the Y's Mandarina at all... it seemed rather uninspired and blagh to me... sort of like SLIGHTLY Yohji-ish Tumi. As well, the Japanese prices for the mandarina were insane... the briefcase/nylon bag was nearly $800 (75K yen) at the Osaka Yohji corner. Other mandarina I've seen was all across the board... I liked some, but overall, I really just wasn't floored. Nevertheless, they are a big company with a wide range of stuff, sort of like Tumi or Samsonite Black Label... so maybe I just didn't get to see the good stuff.

 

[jet]

I have an olive green nylon duffle from a couple years ago that is superb. I don't know the technical name for it but I can crumple it into a ball pretty much but expands to hold pretty much anything. It has thick straps, black anodized hardware, bright orange lining inside, two shoe compartments and really nice zippers. I was thinking of parting with it since I wanted something with more structure to it (this takes the shape of whatever you put inside) but it is made so well I can't let go of it.

Also, did you get to handle any delvaux yet?

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by jet

I have an olive green nylon duffle from a couple years ago that is superb. I don't know the technical name for it but I can crumple it into a ball pretty much but expands to hold pretty much anything. It has thick straps, black anodized hardware, bright orange lining inside, two shoe compartments and really nice zippers. I was thinking of parting with it since I wanted something with more structure to it (this takes the shape of whatever you put inside) but it is made so well I can't let go of it. Also, did you get to handle any delvaux yet?
Yeah, that's the thing... they have so many different offerings, that it's hard to tell (like Tumi or Samsonite) unless you get to see a full collection. Their luggage seems good and sturdy (as you mentioned), though I was thinking more of the totes/manbags in my previous post. Nevertheless, the Y's Mandarina (The Yohji collabo) didn't thrill me at all. I was so busy this summer that I never got to find the Delvaux. The Takashimaya in Tokyo either hid the corner or got rid of it, because I couldn't find it. No doubt they have a store SOMEWHERE in Tokyo, but for those who have been there, when you get off the beaten path, it becomes really hard to find things. Japan doesn't use street addresses, but instead blocks, so you sort of have to zero-in on the neighborhood and go from there. For Tokyo, that neighborhood might have 10,000 businesses in it. SO, good luck!

In any case, the quest for Delvaux in person continues!

 

[jet]

Haha nice man well thanks for trying.

I'll try and snap pics of the duffle some time.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by jet

Haha nice man well thanks for trying. I'll try and snap pics of the duffle some time.
Thanks; I'd like to see the duffle. Anyway, I love Tokyo, but it wears me out when I go shopping there. After you've done the big shopping streets (Omotesando hills, Ginza, Shinjuku Station area, etc.), you then have to expand to find the real "gems." That's when the trouble starts. I start off with this great list of stores to find (perhaps 10), then after spending half the day hunting for the first TWO, both of which are hidden in a basement in some random side street in Shibuya... I get cranky, hungry, sweaty, and give up.

Fifty bucks in cab fare, five over-crowded subways, and then some overpriced Udon noodles for lunch later... and I go back to the hotel with nothing to show for it.

 

[jet]

So how the hell are you supposed to find **** and how do mailmen do it?

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by jet

So how the hell are you supposed to find **** and how do mailmen do it?
Haha... EXACTLY! 1. You aren't supposed to find ****. It's a Japanese cultural tradition, making it something like a pilgrimage. (haha) 2. Mailmen typically stick to one small neighborhood only. SO, if you show up in 2-chome and ask a mailman to help you find a place in 3-chome, he'll say to you, "Ummm... 3-chome is THAT way..." and then he gives up. A taxi will get you the closest to where you need to go, but they often have to pull out this giant book of maps from the trunk. And, taxis cost an arm and a leg in Tokyo and usually they'll just get you NEAR the place, after which you have to wander around for an hour asking local shopowners where the place is. You SLOWLY zero-in on it and then, SURPRISE, suddenly you might find yourself standing directly in front of the place, by chance.

 

[jet]

Sounds like fun I'll have to go sometime.

 

[rach2jlc]

ND, after a full summer of use... my S/S 09 Valentino Garavani leather bag is nicely smooshy and broken in:

Just after I bought it:

 

[onion]

Anyone know how the general quality of leather used by Ally Capellino is? I'm specifically talking about the navy blue leather used on this bag: http://allycapellino.co.uk/michael.html It looks nice enough in the photos, but I'd like first hand experience, as looks can be deceiving.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by onion

Anyone know how the general quality of leather used by Ally Capellino is? I'm specifically talking about the navy blue leather used on this bag: http://allycapellino.co.uk/michael.html

It looks nice enough in the photos, but I'd like first hand experience, as looks can be deceiving.

I've never seen the bags first hand, but I've heard of the brand and am also curious what others think who may have owned something from them.

 

[impolyt_one]

to update my manbag collection:

black Julius duffle is about to be retired, cream FW09 Ann Demeulemeester duffle with long strap and soft handles in lamb taht I've inherited from my girlfriend in short time is about to take it's place, and it's quite capacious. Just what I've wanted for several years now, though I envisioned it in canvas and didn't foresee this.

 

[rach2jlc]

Originally Posted by impolyt_one

to update my manbag collection: black Julius duffle is about to be retired, cream FW09 Ann Demeulemeester duffle with long strap and soft handles in lamb taht I've inherited from my girlfriend in short time is about to take it's place, and it's quite capacious. Just what I've wanted for several years now, though I envisioned it in canvas and didn't foresee this.
Post pics (and give a review)! I've seen Julius and Ann D clothes, but not the accessories.

 

[tailorrmade]

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

x-posted:

This bag is AMAZING!!! Does anyone have one that they've had a while so we can see how they age???