"Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster" by Dana Thomas

[Fraiche]

Originally Posted by Advent

When you know that most LV bags cost approximately $30 to produce (which I learned by reading "Deluxe:..."), pretty much all LV, real or fake, looks like a counterfeit to me.

Actually, from reliable sources in the Far East, I hear what happens is that the same factories that manufacture the real thing, tend to overproduce to account for a the imperfect inventory QC discovers.

More often than not, you may find the factory selling those to the black market rather than throw them all out. So some high quality fakes are actually "real".

Of course there are the dedicated fakers out there.

 

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Fraiche

Actually, from reliable sources in the Far East, I hear what happens is that the same factories that manufacture the real thing, tend to overproduce to account for a the imperfect inventory QC discovers.

More often than not, you may find the factory selling those to the black market rather than throw them all out. So some high quality fakes are actually "real".

Of course there are the dedicated fakers out there.

LOL!

 

[Sazerac]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

I've been obsessing over the alligator satchel since I saw this one on his site a few weeks ago: http://www.peternitz.com/en/catalog/Salem/2/

I'm very close to pulling the trigger

Damn. That's a fine, fine bag. Not my style, but nonetheless.

Question: does he do less, um, ostentatious leathers as well? You know, straight up espresso colored pebblegrain stuff?

Thanks to whomever posted the link to this guy's shop.

 

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Sazerac

Damn. That's a fine, fine bag. Not my style, but nonetheless.

Question: does he do less, um, ostentatious leathers as well? You know, straight up espresso colored pebblegrain stuff?

Thanks to whomever posted the link to this guy's shop.

The good thing is that he can produce a bag for you in whatever type of leather you want, using the very best calf or goat skin (and not only exotic skins).
It's also my understanding that his "in-house" prices are less than if you were to purchase from a retailer, such as Colette, which adds their mark-up/VAT/duties/etc.
It's *free* to talk with him

 

[Sazerac]

Advent,

Would you mind terribly posting pictures of your bag? I'd love to check it out.

I think I'll just talk to him and explain what I want. This really seems like the way to go.

And by 1/3rd the cost of Hermes, would that put it at 2-3 grand or less? Last time I was in an Hermes store I learned that this cute little duffel bag was actually $9.5k. I nearly fell over.

 

[Advent]

Originally Posted by Sazerac

Advent,

Would you mind terribly posting pictures of your bag? I'd love to check it out.

I think I'll just talk to him and explain what I want. This really seems like the way to go.

And by 1/3rd the cost of Hermes, would that put it at 2-3 grand or less? Last time I was in an Hermes store I learned that this cute little duffel bag was actually $9.5k. I nearly fell over.

That would put what at 2-3 grand or less?

I will take some pix and send them to you.

 

[cptjeff]

Originally Posted by Advent

The good thing is that he can produce a bag for you in whatever type of leather you want, using the very best calf or goat skin (and not only exotic skins).
It's also my understanding that his "in-house" prices are less than if you were to purchase from a retailer, such as Colette, which adds their mark-up/VAT/duties/etc.
It's *free* to talk with him

Can he do breast wallets? And does he keep green calf in stock?

Originally Posted by N. McKay

Well, I was going to comment that "Correct American spelling" is a contradiction in terms but in light of your very diplomatic request I will refrain.

You ought to read "The Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson. It's often the other way around, with Americans preserving a lot of terms (and accents, and some spelling, though spelling hasn't been standardized all that long) that were common in england but later changed. Fascinating read in many ways.

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by Advent

When you know that most LV bags cost approximately $30 to produce (which I learned by reading "Deluxe:..."), pretty much all LV, real or fake, looks like a counterfeit to me.
I'd be willing to bet it would cost LV more to sell counterfeit.

BTW I read the book some time back ... am thinking I posted about it elsewhere.

 

[Advent]

Here are some Peter Nitz items (all of them handmade).

 

[CouttsClient]

Originally Posted by Advent

No matter which store I go in to, LV, Hermes, BV, Gucci, Loewe, etc, the salespeople always want to know about my bag, and examine it as if it were a new born baby. His workmanship is insane! You'll have it for life and will hand it down, like your Patek.... ;-)
Today I contacted Peter about the satchel posted above as well as designing a duffel to go along with it. He said he already had in mind a design for a duffel. The price on the satchel is not as bad as I thought it might be. I'm excited

 

[radicaldog]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

Today I contacted Peter about the satchel posted above as well as designing a duffel to go along with it. He said he already had in mind a design for a duffel. The price on the satchel is not as bad as I thought it might be.

I'm excited

Pray tell...

 

[CouttsClient]

Originally Posted by radicaldog

Pray tell...
Cost?

 

[radicaldog]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

Cost?
Er, yes. Sorry. I'm thinking of reorganising my pockets and I figured it may be worth investing in a few very good pieces made to my specifications (card case, passport cover, wallet, etc.).

 

[CouttsClient]

Originally Posted by radicaldog

Er, yes. Sorry. I'm thinking of reorganising my pockets and I figured it may be worth investing in a few very good pieces made to my specifications (card case, passport cover, wallet, etc.).
For the satchel in alligator? Think...new Honda Civic

 

[radicaldog]

Originally Posted by CouttsClient

For the satchel in alligator? Think...new Honda Civic
Thanks. That's quite good compared to the likes of Hermes, but still steep. I might get in touch with him for small accessories in calf though.