Why these AREN’T “Luxury”

[@SophieShohetOfficial]

Hey friends! Today’s vid is on brand hierarchy and where the likes of MK, Vivienne Westwood and other brands potentially sit in the tiers that make up the luxury industry. I also ask the question of ‘why hasn’t Coach made it to the levels of Chanel etc’. After all, they’ve been going since the 40s, quality is exceptional (imo) and you get lots for your money. Let me know what you all think!xx

[@patkuykendall-weeks2617]

I 100% agree with you on the quality of Coach. The big difference is that Coach WANTS to be the Volkswagaon of purses, high quality, good engineering, but in a way that is available to most people.

[@danircarter]

When I think of Coach, I think of just accessories, specifically bags and small leather goods. Could it be that because the luxury brands have their hands in everything, i.e. ready to wear, jewelry, home goods, etc., that gives them that elevated status? Especially thinking ready to wear and footwear gives them that extra boost. I know these non luxury brands also have these items, but they are not one of the main focuses like it is with luxury brands.

[@amb163]

@@patkuykendall-weeks2617 I think you hit the nail on the head -- Coach COULD be "luxury" if it wanted it, but it has chosen a different path. Also, I think it's important to note that there are Coach "snobs" who won't go near a Coach outlet, only retail shops. To be fair, there's a difference in quality of materials, but the construction is usually similar.

[@theflorencesoffgridjourney2960]

Still genuinely hoping that one day you’ll try out a Dooney and Bourke bag from the Florentine leather collection. Same price range as a lot of Coach bags, but quality is amazing. They are definitely an underrated brand that doesn’t get enough attention.

[@Ilovevintage77]

Totally agree with you in this video Sophie. Coach bags gave me an introduction and an understanding to beautiful handcrafted leather goods but at the mall which does not feel very luxe however the coach bags I got in an excitedly shared experience with my mother as a college student still stand the test of time and are beautifully made and they have a guarantee and the staff has always been attentive and wonderful they were like the entryway into the luxurious bag market but yes coach Michael Kors Marc Jacobs etc I would not say qualify For Super Duper luxurious bags like Chanel Louis Vuitton Dior or Hermes. Those brands I believe have a mix of Legacy heritage marketing public relations elusiveness mystery and hype around them always wanting the elite and carefully orchestrating marketing and PR moves in their reach and influence in ways that the other brands aforementioned don’t quite do as well so even if some of these more luxurious brands don’t have as good of quality they make up for it in their marketing and PR. What something is worth is based not solely on the actual sum of its physical parts but also what people BELIEVE it to be worth.

[@freciemagdirila7075]

Regarding Chanel vs. Coach: I think Chanel took off because in the 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld removed all Chanel products from department stores, and drugstores could no longer sell Chanel perfumes. Whereas, Coach continued to be available to the masses. It’s all about availability and accessibility.

[@SophieShohetOfficial]

This is such a good point Frecie, I think you’ve just hit the nail on the head here!!👍👍👍xx

[@ChildofGoodFortune]

Exclusivity costs money...

[@sleepysartorialist]

I would also argue the brands with outlet shops are seen as less luxurious. I personally love Kate Spade, for example, but I know it's not luxury. 🤷🏾 I see it as designer goods.

[@judyblume0408]

That’s a good point. Especially since brands like Dior was founded after Coach. Saint Laurent is heading in that direction too. Before you could get YSL on sale more readily available. Now certain lines are excluded from promo codes at Neiman Narcus etc, if not all.

[@Amoi__]

Wow, I didn't know that but that makes a lot of sense. That's also so recent. The way Chanel is priced and revered now, I would think it was always exclusive and considered top tier.

[@aneesabaksh957]

I'd like to speak on Coach. I worked for them for three years. They're an amazing company and it was a great place to work for. Their quality is exceptional, their watches are made by Movado and their customer service where repairs are concerned is excellent. I've always wondered why Coach isn't up there on the luxury tier.

[@elfenprinzessin22]

I have worked with most of the popular watch companies like Movado (Coach, Tommy Hilfiger), Fossil (Michael Kors, Tory Burch), Timex (Versace, Missoni) and they are all not worth it compared to the Swatch Group (Swatch, Tissot, Logines, Rado) which are truly a Swiss made and not made in China like MK, Coach or Tommy watches.

[@radicalaccounting]

@@elfenprinzessin22 Before cell phones I had to wear a watch. Once my swatch watch got run over by a car and stil worked, lol. That and great designs I became a fan.

[@kristinavogel7551]

I like the old Coach-before they were bought by Sara Lee-was that in the 80s? I have a bag from 1988 and if still looks new. Of course, I take care of it, but it’s like a horse saddle!

[@veekay6238]

Because where does Coach make their stuff? China?

[@clueless836]

I don’t know if it was the same in other countries, but in mine Coach was the big deal in the 00’s. It was considered expensive and aspirational, every popular girl here had one. But they fell when the fakes started to getting popular. It took away that sense of exclusivity and since now everyone (fake or not) could have it, it loose it’s popularity.

[@amb163]

Maybe if we replace the word "luxury brand" with "status brand" it would make more sense? That's what it is, isn't it? Some brands have a certain caché to them that others don't, regardless of cost or quality. It's how we think of them, and the people who purchase them, that make them a "luxury" -- it puts those people in a certain category, gives them a certain status. (P.S. I'm not in any way meaning this to be rude -- it is perfectly fine to want to fit into a certain group status, if that's what you want.)

[@hisforever1359]

💯

[@katy3mpress]

I agree ☝️

[@sc0359]

Totally agree!!

[@olyalya6380]

LV is that

[@amandalcullen]

My sister in law, who made the Vivienne Westwood shoes that Naomi Campbell fell over in, has said that no leather bag is really worth more than £400-£500, it is just the brand and how much they can get away with.

[@annhans3535]

You should watch some documentaries on the tanneries, you would never want to use leather again.

[@KerriganTisdale]

Tell your sister-in law she’s a cultural icon. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@kristinavogel7551]

I purchased a Nancy Gonzales crocodile bag. It’s beautiful and I was thrilled to get it pre-loved. Then I watched a video about how croc bags are made and I can’t even carry it anymore. I’m not a PETA person, but I felt ill after seeing how these poor animals are treated.

[@MT-hk9cp]

And because I work in the industry, I'd never purchase any designer for the full price it was either an employee discount or a luxury consignment store. Kudos to your sister-in-law!!

[@707tich]

Thank you,

[@wordjam412]

While living in Vancouver I stopped for a sandwhich at a lunch deli where I was asked if I wanted mayo - yes I said: to watch a person who must have been a qualified master chef crack open an egg, add oil, salt and other condiments to make me a pure fresh mayo I'd never tasted before. I realised this was no ordinary deli despite the price. I grabbed a homemade cookie and a fresh juice. Quality = Luxury. People paying high prices for hard-to-find poor-quality over-priced popular kitsch does not make the kitsch luxury. From the thousands of vloggers dying over these over-the-top now super popular brands it shows these are no longer luxury or worn only by movie stars and allegedly rich people. Merely pop-culture in a price bracket where the people buying them can't tell the difference between luxury v quality: and simply want to be part of the social media foolery. The marketing of "vegan leather" is another ridiculous con -> it's called vinyl. A cactus-leather handbag or shoes or belt at least has a reasoning of ethics and environmental change behind it. Popularity among so-called middle-income-rich people doesn't equal luxury. Luxury is eating a genuinely-high-quality-organic orange grown in the cleanest place on Earth; wearing the most-perfectly-stitched made-to-measure garment that feels like a second skin; a bespoke handmade and hand-painted vase from Sicilia or watching an artisan create something like lace or a shoe or food with skills handed down across eons. That is rare. That is luxury.

[@veekay6238]

@Word Jam, no I wouldn't say that Chanel is not luxury. It is pure luxury even though not only film stars wear them. Why can't a normal working person wear Chanel? I work just as hard as a celebrity. It definitely takes time for me to save up for it, but I will appreciate it even more than them. I don't have any issues with its quality either. Chanel has the heritage, the price, the classic look, which at the same time so timeless and chic and now it is hard to get yes, and is still a premium quality. I buy it because I feel good wearing it, not because I want to keep up with some KZbin-ers...

[@tisheetee]

What deli was this? I may have to catch a flight!

[@wordjam412]

@@tisheetee It was in Downtown Vancouver 19 years ago. Doubt it's still there but Vancouver's always worth the flight !!!

[@rand0mgirly]

Yes, yes, and yes

[@nitajoesplaytherapy4639]

Wow ❤

[@michellejacobsen331]

I think there is a difference between "luxury" and "prestige" brands. I think Coach is luxury because the quality, craftsmanship, and thoughtfulness is there plus it's an above normal price point for many. I think Coach lost it's way for a long time so there is no iconic/recognizable bag/style but I think it's being defined now. Chanel etc is a "prestige" brand that seems lately to be trading on it's reputation/brand vs quality & craftsmanship. Even as many lament Chanel's price increases, many still prefer to pay a premium for a defective Chanel over an immaculately made Coach etc. Luxury is more than just price point: it's all the things that go into the bag and how the bag makes you feel.

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

This is a FANTASTIC observation.

[@AngelicaMarieXO]

💯

[@gretamichelle8514]

Me too.

[@danielle4976]

Fun fact: Coach almost went out of business a few years ago, and in a last ditch effort to save the brand, they hired Selena Gomez to be their brand ambassador. They did a whole campaign with her and she even released some limited edition "Selena x Coach" line bags and slgs. I lived in LA at the time and they had her do a Coach promotion at the Grove and she met a bunch of fans and did photoshoots and whatnot. Now they're flourishing and many of their items sell out immediately or on pre-order. I do like the mid-tier brands like Coach, Kate Spade, etc. because I don't feel like I have to baby my items. I can use them freely and if something happens, it's not a big deal.

[@alexarotheschild4169]

They also hired an LV designer.

[@kokolatte825]

@@alexarotheschild4169 yes, I would credit the turnaround to better designs than Selena Gomez. She did bring some hype for the younger audience but it's the current designs that are making people interested.

[@Plum_bird]

Yes, and wear them to work! I mean , I don’t have a job we’re I can carry a $5k bag to work or go to enough events to justify the purchase.

[@idaranwa4370]

That is very obvious! You can tell someone at coach used to work at Louis vuttion.

[@toria1121]

As someone who was working at a retail Coach store before, during and after the Selena x Coach collection. I did not feel like Coach was going out of business. But as a sales rep, what did I know.

[@MariaFelix-ls4xb]

I love my Michael kors and coach bags it's what I can afford to buy. They are luxury to me...

[@scottiliciousmcfabulous]

They are luxury, dont let anyone ever tell you otherwise! 🥰

[@SophieShohetOfficial]

Coach is my thing!!!❤️❤️xx

[@db12369]

I love MK. I going to wear it because i think its beautiful not because of someones else’s opinion.

[@IrinaPetrosyan]

Same here, to me coach is luxury.

[@Simbabe54]

Me too. I love my Coach and Dooney and Bourke bags. I will never be able to afford Chanel or Louis Vuitton. I buy the nicest bags I can afford.

[@cheesim]

In US, we have bag community that is passionate about Coach. Btw, Coach creates limited edition bags that are really amazing but it seems not many are aware of that

[@dawnlovescouture2644]

And they resell for a premium!

[@mrslavanderblu]

Great point. The Basquiat series is a great example of that.

[@tolikfox007]

Ive seen some nice vintage ones too, saw one i really liked but its around 800. Dont know if i am willing to pay that for coach lol

[@sarinal9488]

Coach 1941

[@victoriagonzales5164]

This is true I missed some metallic ones but I got a smaller one which I haven’t seen anywhere else and it’s possibly my favorite one!

[@MellyElle21]

Coach heritage has been about giving great quality for the money while coming in fun, limited colors. They never set out to compete with higher-end luxury brands. Personally, I prefer Coach quality to Louis Vuitton especially taking into account the price difference. In my opinion, Louis Vuitton's canvas is thin and flimsy.

[@neffyg35]

I really like some of recent collab they have done. It's really cute and fun!

[@ericmoore571]

I agree. I gave away my Vuitton messenger bag that was that treated canvas and instead I bought one in all leather from Coach and I am very happy. Plus Vuitton and Chanel have so many fakes out there.

[@deannab8890]

That’s the draw of the LV canvas, it makes the bag lightweight and comfortable against the body.

[@luvlife2355]

Definitely agree

[@ekesa07632]

Love coach. Have some bags from them and it’s great

[@tara_nguyen]

The luxury brands you mentioned all started out as couture fashion, Chanel, Dior, ysl, so they already established their pricing. Accessories only came in later to diversified the brand. People tends to forget that these brands are meant to be clothing sellers rather than handbag sellers.

[@Valeria-jy1ti]

I agree . Marc jacobs has a great quality bags . But he is a new designer comparing to Chanel . My husband collects art and he gets me Marc jacobs bags because he thinks it it’s a good investment for the future .

[@MarieJesne]

@@Valeria-jy1ti Love my Marc Jacobs bags. They are very good quality and have held up well over the years even though I haven't been the gentlest with them. I still bring out my Stam on a regular basis and get a ton of compliments.

[@irinanovak1659]

@@Valeria-jy1ti finally someone speaks about MJ bags. Love them 👌

[@natlovesfashion27]

Sophie, here in the U.S., we call Coach, Kate Spade, & Tory Burch … contemporary luxury. Michael Kors was once considered contemporary luxury but has fallen out of that category.

[@Himmiefan]

Exactly!

[@marina56]

I have an old Kors that’s as soft as butter. I lost interest when they started making bags out of a stiff leather…forget what it’s called.

[@scottiliciousmcfabulous]

Wrong. Michael Kors is still contemporary luxury. To even say Kate Spade is in a higher ranking than MK is absurd 😂

[@Foo007]

And many Michael Kors stores are closing nationwide-

[@nordette]

@@scottiliciousmcfabulous I think they might mean there not popular any more. They lost their image, I remember the best thing you could have was an MK bag on your arm not so much any more. There quality is way better than LV though maybe even Chanel MK hardware never tarnishes smh lol

[@zourxz]

I own bags from Hermes, Chanel, LV, Dior, YSL, and Coach. The one bag that consistently gets compliments is the Coach bag. Literally every single time I wear it! and I only bought it to use during overseas holidays.

[@Kath69989]

Can I ask which bag from Coach ?

[@mellissabluxury]

I’m a 25 year LV addict but I’ve recently started enjoying Coach, a lot! The decline in LV quality over the years has been shocking. I will always keep, love and use my vintage LV pieces, but I’m gravitating to coach for fun fresh purchases that may date quickly. I enjoy the best of both ❤

[@nitajoesplaytherapy4639]

Go for the Coach Rogue or a classic coach ❤

[@trevorchae2504]

I feel like people keep forgetting that Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs have their own luxury line. Michael Kors Collections and Runway Marc Jacobs.

[@veronicavenditti3614]

Michael Kors Collection is an amazing brand, it has nothing in common with the cheapest line!

[@trevorchae2504]

@@veronicavenditti3614 MICHAEL Michael Kors is more like name brand I feel like lol

[@radicalaccounting]

We forget because he's all over the place with this and that line.

[@heidiheidi0]

I feel like this too!!! I am always shocked when people mention those. I think Marc Jacobs discontinued their luxury handbag line (priced much higher than their current one, all leather, on the runway). It is kind of weird that if Chanel had a line called Coco C by Chanel and it was cheaper than the runway stuff, then people would start saying Chanel was not luxury, too.

[@lvettesonai]

And, those collections are fabulous!!

[@denise94]

I think it's also an exclusivity thing. The 'lower' luxury brands are much more accessible not only on price point but it's easier to get a hold of (more mass produced), where as the high end brands limit there availability through high prices and lower quantity. That makes them so much more desirable. Carrying them around is almost like showing of a prize..

[@achromaphile]

I understand what you mean, but nowadays Chanel classic flaps are mass produced as well but they still are priced top notch and still rising up in price... It's all about availability like you mentioned, when people can't get something easily, it becomes desirable.

[@DaniOchannel]

Some consumers also discern the location of manufacture, even between France vs Spain, let alone coach and Michael Kors that are made in Asia.

[@denise94]

@@achromaphile I wouldn't go as far as saying Chanel is mass produced, there's still a lot of craftsmanship that goes into their bags. But they definitly have expanded their production facilities to different European countries, which causes quality instability issues. Over time that could pose a risk to their desirability factor..

[@denise94]

@@DaniOchannel So true!! The label made in France or Italy somehow suggests high(er) quality and craftsmanship.

[@tremroy1766]

We buy LV Chanel Hermes because we feel like it shows we’ve accomplished something financially to be able to afford such luxury items it is a status / success symbol. It gives us an emotional high to buy those brands because of what they represent. You don’t get such a thrill buying more “low priced “ items , they are too “common”. The same “ploy” applies to cars; it is exciting to be able to buy an expensive car and “show off” consciously or unconsciously…it is what drives capitalism I guess…

[@totesgene]

That's not why I buy LV or other luxury brands. I will agree with you that buying one of these brands is fun and thrilling, but I buy LV because I absolutely love the monogram. I think it is so classy and beautiful. I also buy other brands like Coach (Rogue's only), Senreve and Aspinal of London. If a bag is beautiful, I want it regardless of the brand, but I'm cray for LV.

[@laurelledubois]

I'd say it has a lot to do with low self-esteem. Women buy bags to show off to other women, wanting to put themselves "above the others" (same goes for men and their cars - and women and their cars). Tbh, when I meet a finically well to do man for a date: he does not care what type of bag I have, his eyes are on: how presentable is she (for me), does she have nice skin, smell good, wear nice dress/clothes, her her is shiny and healthy, does she look after herself.. and not, does she wear a Dior, Chanel, Hermes, Prada or god forbid a LV bag.. (LV bags are for travelling - not for handbags - in my opinion). Nothing wrong with buying a fancy expensive designer item... if you like it. If you buy it so "you have it" (to show off) - I'd consider to see a psychiatrist rather than another trip to the shopping center.

[@totesgene]

@@laurelledubois I think that's an unfair generalization. I buy LV bags because they are beautiful and I love them. I don't buy them to show off or create some illusion I have all this money or are above anyone. I like beautiful things. I have designer bags and I have non-designer bags that I love. I also wouldn't judge someone on the bag they are carrying. I used to not even notice these things, but now that I'm into handbags I do, but I'm noticing to find pieces/brands I like, not judge someone. LV bags are for traveling - not for handbags? I'm sorry, but that's a silly thing to say. My two favorite every day bags are my Pochette Metis and Cluny. They are both great every day bags. One of my favorite work bags is my OnTheGo GM. It's a great work bag.

[@laurelledubois]

@@totesgene I'm not here to argue over what's "fair or unfair" and what I consider "tacky or stylish". I just said, personally I have no consideration for LV handbags. I also have zero consideration for people lacking individuality. But let me explain: I was invited to a Rolex Apéro riche a couple of yrs ago. So what to wear...? Yeah the Rolex watch of course.. which handbag? Well with a $$$ watch I guess the H&M faux leather bag wont do the trick.. Well not a CC bag either, b/c if I go to Rolex, I don't want to wear CC logo - actually I don't want to war any logo, b/c Rolex is the logo 😉 I am a huge fan of handbags with NO logo (you get me) - so I drew out my snakeskin Celine - no logo and "if you know - you know... " I swear every women at that event walked in with a black CC lambskin 2.55. So my question: How do you stand out, if every other woman has the same bloody handbag as you? A few yrs ago 50% of women population were walking around with a Neverfull... Why? Well, I sold all my designer handbags in the last couple of yrs, waste of money, I'd rather spend that money on memories not to companies. Happy life!

[@totesgene]

@@laurelledubois You are here to argue and you’re rude. Making generalizations about people (saying our passion is about low self-esteem) is rude, unnecessary and uncalled for. If you’re so secure in yourself you wouldn’t find it necessary to knock others down. Bye now. I won’t engage with you further but there’s a learning opportunity for you here - don’t let it slip through your fingers.

[@DonKhushiiYoshi]

I agree with you on several points. But, I think Vivienne Westwood is considered luxury. She is a revolutionary designer on the level of designers such as Gaultier, Mugler, Margiela, the late McQueen, etc. Westwood also offers bridal and couture creations for high end clients, royals, and celebrities. Her vintage pieces are selling for thousands of dollars preloved, especially her RTW and couture pieces. In terms of handbags, her handbags are more contemporary but also it is not her main focus I believe, so I wouldn't consider that category to determine her status as luxury or not luxury. That being said, her handbags are actually really good quality and the designs are whimsical and fun! I love the lower price point of them. Her clothing designs are a DREAM!

[@fionamcleod9000]

I agree. She is iconic and has cult status. Fascinating story and style. Way cooler than Coco imho! Legend.

[@javaholly]

So true!! I love Vivienne Westwood! Her 18th century inspiration and the vibe has me obsessed! I’m so willing to save up just to get a Vivienne Westwood item.

[@scottiliciousmcfabulous]

Without a single doubt, Coach, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, what ever other brand, they are ALL luxury brands. Are they highest end of luxury? No. But they are indeed luxury.

[@helen6k]

Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs are definitely not luxury brands. No attention to details, generally poor quality. i'd call them wannabe luxury at most. Higher end? yes. Justified to ask that price point? no. Can't talk about Coach, haven't owned anything from Coach.

[@scottiliciousmcfabulous]

@@helen6k I really dont care what you think in all honesty.

[@helen6k]

@@scottiliciousmcfabulous It's fine if you can't afford real luxury haha

[@scottiliciousmcfabulous]

@@helen6k I dont NEED Chanel or LV to feel luxurious. Have fun being a snob Helen. 🙂

[@helen6k]

@@scottiliciousmcfabulous You clearly do haha

[@martinabenediktova6604]

The word "luxury" is these days related mostly to money. High price = luxury. But for me it is about special materials, unusual design ideas, excellent craftsmenship or limited production. MK or Coach are not luxury, but in my eyes CC or LV neither. 🤷‍♀️

[@JenniferFabbian]

Concur. Can't say I'm overly impressed by much of what passes as "luxury" these days. To me, a brand like Joseph Duclos embodies true luxury because of the material, craftsmanship, and overall quality put into the bags which is far superior to what we're seeing from current Chanel and LV collections, and at a fraction of the cost.

[@CyndiCaviedes]

LV Bags are EVERYWHERE, specially the big tote bag, its like a mom bag... i don't see that as luxury....

[@callme_burbu5976]

Agreed

[@Ok_Contest]

@@CyndiCaviedes because something is everywhere you don't consider it luxury?

[@EyeGlassTrainofMind]

@@Ok_Contest Yes--that's one of the elements of luxury is embedded exclusivity.

[@nfvy8111]

Coach leather quality in recent years has shocked me - in a good way. The feel of some their bags are incredible.

[@vvforme]

Luxury is in the eye of the beholder. I absolutely think Aspinal of London is luxury - the kind of quiet luxury that brands like Bottega Veneta used to be decades ago - if you know, you know, and the quality gave it its luxurious feel. I think many people are stuck on the hype of “luxury brands,” including the brands themselves (which accounts for the quality decline). The only new bags I will consider buying are from Aspinal or emerging designers. The only Chanel, LV, Dior, etc I buy is vintage because those pieces are from an era where quality spoke first.

[@ailanthus_altissima]

I agree! These brands seem to think that consumers will accept their name as an indicator of luxury rather than anything inherent to the bag itself. "Luxury" is defined by a logo, but not by the properties in the product itself which seems upside down to me. They will give consumers products made with lower quality materials and questionable craftmanship - it is almost like a form of disrespect to the consumer. I feel low-key insulted by some of the modern products available today on the luxury market. I think these companies (collectively) have shifted consumers to purchase by branding rather than by having a true understanding and appreciation of what constitutes quality. True quality is expensive to produce - the materials are expensive and good workmanship is expensive because it requires skill to execute properly. This used to be what you paid for in a luxury product. These companies have decoupled pricing from the actual quality of the product.

[@seabreeze4559]

yes HRH Collection had a video about the handbag collection fad being over because of quality and prestige issues

[@bagsnbistros3646]

AOL is great you can get so much bag for your money

[@kristinavogel7551]

I don’t have an Aspinal bag but I have been eyeing one for a while. Maybe I will splurge soon!

[@chipreighns3119]

exactly.well said

[@johannasalazar11]

Hey Sophie! I’ve told you in other videos that I highly recommend Coach. Not only do you get your money’s worth with such an amazing piece but also you pay a fair amount for it. Their packaging, their stitching, their leather is pure luxury ❤️to me. Their variety of pieces, their colors are exceptional. In summary, I love ❤️ coach and I do think of it as luxury for sure

[@oldpalmcity]

I bet she never wears Coach or other cheaper brands herself.. I noticed that many luxury influencers occasionally promote some lower/ medium range goods not just bags, but clothing as well. They are doing it to for two reasons- because they are paid to do it or they want to appeal to much broader audience.

[@desyreemalig9329]

Not sure what happened but Coach has upped its game lately especially with their Tabby and May bags ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Giannas1096]

Every time I hold a Chanel classic flap in my hand I’m puzzled as to why people pay so much money for them - they’re NOT worth the price they’re retailing for. You’re right Sophie, take the CC’s off and the bag is only worth possibly 10% of the retail price. I can see it WITH the logo on and that’s just criminal!

[@SummeRain783]

I always wanted one because a large part of me owning designer handbags are for the investment. Otherwise realistically I can pay much cheaper if its just for quality elsewhere. Now seeing the re-sale value on those flaps being destroyed (possibly due to their over-inflated price tag), I am less interested.

[@jamesmason6581]

I absolutely love this topic! I’m also a huge Coach collector and I have been for over a decade. To me the prestige of a brand also has a cultural element. As an African American consumer of luxury and contemporary products I grew up seeing Coach and Luis Vuitton quite often, but what has stuck with me as a consumer is the quality of Coach. Now as an adult I am a life long Coach consumer. I’m committed to the brand because of their timeless heritage and commitment to inclusion and diversity in their marketing campaigns. The woman in my community rave about Coach in the same way that people cherish Chanel and other non-contemporary brands. I am a Coach Collector because the successful and luxurious women and men in my life all carry Coach!

[@nikineal69]

"It ain't a Coach bag, without the Coach tag"

[@jsmithsemper4848]

I adore Coach. It’s timeless affordable luxury.

[@marioalvarezluna6847]

I do think that Vivienne Westwood is a luxury brand, maybe in the affordable luxury sector, but I do believe it is luxury. As for The Marc Jacobs, it is the diffusion line of the very luxurious RUNWAY MARC JACOBS. Coach, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and Tory Burch do fall in the premium sector, not luxury.

[@sandravermeulen9729]

Vivienne Westwood had to fight the fashion world first to get accepted as a respected designer. Because her designs were so different and more rebellious. The other brands quite frankly did not want a brand like that to be considered one of them.

[@spiderbait88]

Agreed. I have a few vivienne westwood bags and slgs and they are all made in Italy

[@sandravermeulen9729]

@@spiderbait88 I use my Viviennes almost every day. My Valentino I don't dare to use any more. The letters came off in the first few weeks. I had it replaced but then the same thing happened to the matching wallet. It just sits on a shelf now. Never buying that again. Except for the heart shaped one my Viviennes are very practical because so much fits in it.

[@danielazhang8572]

I totally agree. Vivian Westwood was a wonderful and revolutionary designer, her items are iconic. I definitely don't think that brand belongs to the same category as Michael Kors.

[@TheHylander27]

I think of Aspinal a bit like Barbour, a wear every day, last a lifetime luxury. I think their packaging feels special too. Durable rather than delicate, something you are not afraid to use.

[@susanbaker2796]

I agree. I've had a Barbour jacket for years. The quality is outstanding.

[@EyeGlassTrainofMind]

Absolutely. I inherited my great uncle's Barbour coat and aside from getting routine waxing every 3 years, it is in pristine condition.

[@AC-ih1dr]

The Coach Cassie was adored by the luxury community because it is a legacy bag that came out before the LV version and was higher quality. That is actually what made me start really looking at Coach with fresh eyes. They make amazing quality mid range priced bags. Love them.

[@tamarfischer283]

I heard so much about the cassie and i bought it for 200euro on sale and tax free. But i was disappointed by the quality. Then my daughter bought the LV pochette matisse for 2000£. Get this! The quality was NO BETTER! my conclusion from all this? we are all nuts. A square piece of leather sewn around the edges should not cost 2000, nor 400, nor 200. But if we are willing to pay that- why shouldn't they charge whatever they can? I am still on the lookout for a beautiful bag in fabulous quality that is worth the cost. If anyone has any tips, id love to hear them

[@AC-ih1dr]

@@tamarfischer283 There is nothing wrong with paying for people's hard work, labor, and ingenuity. If you think an industry could subsist on producing $20 bags, that is foolishness. That means someone, somewhere along the line is being robbed of their labor and a fair wage- and that will usually be the people that actually have a hand in assembling your bag. The fashion industry already has an issue with proper payment of people that dye leathers, but what would the industry look like if they charged what you suggest? The bag had to be designed, go through approval, patterns created, leather sourced, leather tanned and dyed (sometimes by hand), cut and sewn together, finished (special coating, assembling handles, ect), and then checked for quality control. Even when parts of the process are automated, depending on the company and bag, there are still any army of workers that must be present still to assist in the automated process. It is fine to say that paying $200 or $2000 is not worth it to you. I am sure there is somewhere that you spend money that others would pass on, howevert that is a heck of a lot different than saying that the combined labor of what individuals have produced for you is not collectively worth $200. I was very happy with my $250 Cassie (got it on sale). The bag quality is commiserate with the price and maybe even undervalued. It feels nothing, quality wise, like a bag that is under $100 or like those fast fashion bags. With the bag, you are not paying for a name, you are paying for what it cost to sell a bag of that quality and I will always be down for that kind of bargain.

[@tamarfischer283]

@@AC-ih1dr wouldn't it be wonderful if even 1% of that 8000$ you pay for a chanel bag went to a poor worker. Unfortunately most of the money goes to the wealthy brand owners. I have no issue with paying even $1000 for a trueli beautiful bag, made of quality materials. But we all know we are paying for a brand and most of the time it is to show off and there is nothing in the least bit altruistic about that and some greedy guy is leeching off our desire to announce to strangers that we have more money than we actually have.

[@erinobrien8453]

I LOVE MY MK. I dont care if i fit in to someone elses description of luxury, im grateful for what i have. Grateful.

[@decemberclouds]

I watched a Japanese drama (called 'Survival Wedding') that spoke about how Coach specifically went for the pricing point between very cheap and very expensive in order to attract more customers because no one else was *at* that pricing point. The whole drama is full of facts and information about various brands, like apparently how people counterfeited all sorts of LV items, especially ties, and LV's first ad was 'we don't make ties' in response.

[@Natalia91]

Thank you, I’m going to watch it 😍

[@decemberclouds]

@@Natalia91 It's pretty funny and interesting haha. It DOES have some 'cater to men' parts but those aren't very serious and they're for a specific reason.

[@ItsTooLatetoApologize]

I think there is actually quite a large Coach loving community on KZbin and the internet. There is a big vintage coach bag community and restoration community. Coach is/was one of the most counterfeited brands for awhile. I have several vintage Coach bags and the leather is just incomparable to anything on the market today and that’s including modern Coach bags which are still great quality. And the great thing is I can walk around with my beautiful Coach bag and not worry about being mugged specifically because of it.

[@drplatanito]

I’ve had LV and a few other lux brands but vintage coach is unmatched!!! In terms of quality

[@susanshowersinger6793]

I feel like the brands like Chanel and Dior have a "story"/legend surrounding them involving very elegant, well-to-do individuals that we are trying to emulate. We may not BE that chic Parisian, but we can buy certain pieces that she would actually wear...for a price.

[@maryokeefe5351]

Very good point, Susan. A brand conjures up an image. By the same token, not everyone sees themselves as so high-end, so perhaps they gravitate to other brands they feel more replicate how they see themselves? So much psychology here, it is fascinating.

[@charlottecosentino139]

this

[@clarissaywy]

I love my Longchamp le pliage bag. It has amazing quality and is a classic, unlike those trendy and non-functional bags. Best thing about it is its super affordable price tag and easy way to store it.

[@clarissaywy]

love that it also fits in the old money aesthetic which I love!

[@jessicarettally6534]

Agree!

[@Tessy29k]

Longchamp, Staud and Furla have amazing quality bags

[@MsJuliedlp]

Lonchamp doesn’t get nearly enough love!!!

[@soigne21]

❤️❤️❤️

[@JenniferManifests]

I hesitated to buy Coach for a very long time but und ended up buying the Tabby 26 in chalk (After months of thinking about it) and i am AMAZED about the quality and craftmanship for that price. Will never sell it 😍Great to see Coach having a comeback

[@dawnlovescouture2644]

Hi Sophie, the Coach Cassie is an update of a bag they released in the ‘70’s. So, the design actually belongs to Coach. When I first started buying luxury in the early 2000’s, Coach and Louis Vuitton were not priced so far apart. I bought my first Coach in 1998 for $200, and my first Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 in 2002 for $365. I don’t think a higher price makes something more desirable. As Louis Vuitton started an insane upward trajectory, during the same time period, Coach had a lot of problems with lower quality bags and materials. They started to make a comeback within the last 5 years. To the average person who isn’t into luxury, spending for a Coach bag in a boutique, with an average price of $500, is unthinkable.

[@Dylan-rs4yx]

RIGHT!!!

[@joypeaceandhappiness1501]

I'm glad someone else knows. My grandmother used to buy all of her bags in department stores. She could buy both Louis Vuitton and Coach in the same store in the 90s

[@dawnlovescouture2644]

@@joypeaceandhappiness1501 Gucci too!

[@joypeaceandhappiness1501]

@@dawnlovescouture2644 When you know, you know. Funny thing is Coach is starting to raise their prices too taking after the others.

[@napandora]

Honestly I see the same quality between coach’s craftsmanship and materials, and luxury brands. Maybe I got late into luxury and missed something exceptional, but I like my coach bags as much as my Guccis and LV’s. Even the outlet coach is quite great. You don’t see bad stitching, glazing, etc

[@cel7691]

I’ve inherited a lot of the expensive luxury bags from my aunt, vintage stuff. LV, Hermes, gucci, etc. she loved shopping. Im very uneducated about the stuff though. Personally when I want a leather bag I’ll go onto second hand places and look for coach actually. I don’t like logos and the old coach stuff was just leather and great quality. I can get a nice purse for less than $100. And again in my ignorant opinion, the leather feels as good as the expensive bags my aunt gave me. But I’m not afraid to wear my coach bag because it didn’t cost a small fortune! I feel bad that I have so many nice bags in my closet, but I don’t know what I would do if I damaged one. I feel much more carefree to wear a bag im not worried about damaging, it lets me actually enjoy it. Plus the quality is great. Can’t speak for coach now, but seems like from reading other peoples comments and like you said, they still have good quality

[@totesgene]

Your aunt was wasted on you, LOL. I hope you found my joke funny because I am joking. It'd be like if I inherited expensive cars by my uncle - I'd have no appreciation. I wish your aunt was mine, I'd be in heaven with all that vintage stuff :)

[@cel7691]

@@totesgene haha yes I agree, it’s a very different lifestyle than mine so that’s why I’m starting to learn more about it from people like Sophie, so I can educate myself. Sometimes I wear them though! For special occasions. They are very beautiful bags, and I’m glad that bags that are less costly are made just as well with materials that at least to me, are as good.

[@totesgene]

@@cel7691 That's great. Sophie is wonderful. You should do videos on these bags????

[@tan1309]

My two favourite brands are Prada and Coach and I’m so happy that Coach is more affordable just means I get to buy even more of a brand I love.

[@amandavanasselt]

Mulberry for me all the way, well made, stylish, timeless…I like some of the new designs they have introduced recently

[@Fiona-mm8zw]

I completely agree. I actually bought my first mulberry last week and the quality is just impeccable. Not to mention everyone in the store was absolutely lovely and couldn’t do more to help.

[@anttoronto3202]

Love love Mulberry. Quality and style. Beautiful British vibe.

[@catnip4587]

Mulberry quality is outstanding

[@deannab8890]

LV Neverfull copied the design from Goyard, LV Pochette Metis and YSL college style was first designed by Coach as Cassie. Dior Diorama was duped after Chanel Boy. Gucci and YSL made their own flap versions. Yet, they’re considered luxury. I think luxury is when a brand identifies itself as luxury. Chanel quality is nothing exceptional yet they’re extremely overpriced.

[@mtyyoo]

I totally agree. They just copy each other so it's not only Michael Kors doing that. But I'm seeing a lot of youtubers talking about Coach these days so prices of Coach handbags have gone up.

[@nitajoesplaytherapy4639]

Preach!

[@Eric-uy7hr]

Hi Sophie! I think it all comes down to selling a "fantasy" through marketing. For Chanel in particular, I remember hearing that a bottle of their Chanel No. 5 sells every few seconds or so. I believe that perfume brings in the highest in profit for luxury companies, and it all has to do with again association to prestige. In Chanel and Dior's case, association to haute coutoure. It's very appealing to those who cannot afford to be completely part of that lifestyle, but it gives them an opportunity to associate with the brand. Back then, handbags were the next level up, from perfume, cosmetics, and skincare. Chanel handbags were once "more affordable" in comparison to their RTW. But that obviously is not the case any more and is at par with some Chanel jackets, but of course, still nowhere near their couture gowns. I believe that Chanel and Dior bags will always command a much higher price because it will always be associated with haute couture.

[@philipdonahue608]

I find that Vivienne Westwood is on a higher echelon than a Michael Kors or Coach. Although Coach is making a massive comeback with their Tabby bag, I still think Vivienne is not only of a price point of a higher level but also carries an “allure” that other lower level brands do not. I would put them on the level of say Miu Miu.

[@erikh1041]

I agree, Vivienne Westwood is different from Coach, there’s a different «appeal» to her designs compared to brands like MK, Coach etc.

[@I_am_gids]

Chanel is simply an entity to itself, it’s incredibly iconic and since Coco opened her first boutique in 1910 the house and its influence is undeniable in changing the way women dress to this day. Chanel was a couturier and so the house was always associated with luxury and elegance. That’s how they can keep building on their rich history and essentially that’s what the customer also buys into (a piece of brand’s history) be it a Chanel fragrance, beauty item, handbag or ready to wear piece. 😊💛💛

[@Giannas1096]

I agree however Coco Chanel herself did not start out as a rich person but only gave the illusion that she was - AKA fake it till you make it.

[@nitajoesplaytherapy4639]

All history behind the name is not good. Do a little more research

[@I_am_gids]

@@nitajoesplaytherapy4639 I’ve done a lot of research into many luxury houses and have a wealth of knowledge particularly on the house of Chanel, don’t make assumptions.

[@snowglass3969]

For me, I think the defining line between luxury and non is really the price/cost. I believe there is a false idea that in order for something to be quality, it has to be expensive/exclusive. If something is cheap, it clearly can't be good quality. This is the mindset, I think, that pushes the luxury market. If you are 'rich enough' to be able to afford something that costs an arm and a leg, that somehow gives you greater social cache than someone who can't. I don't think it matters what the actual quality of the item is, or if it is 'worth' the money you're paying for it. It's about what people who buy luxury believe owning that item says about them. That having this thing that most people can't afford somehow elevates them above others. And that if you buy something that is non-luxury, then you are somehow down in the mud with the masses. Brands that are considered luxury, like Chanel, Dior, etc, pray on that idea. 'Buy our item and you'll be so much more refined and lux than bog standard Jane over there.'

[@lindaraj3643]

I also think Coach has upped there game recently. I love their carriage logo and less branded looks. I think Coach is like Longchamp-- great every day bags

[@swap7465]

Hi Sophie -- Here in the U.S., it's all about Coach and other "contemporary luxury" brands that focus on craftsmanship and quality. As many have said below, the term has more to do with prestige rather than quality. Chanel was a dying brand until Karl Lagerfield took over. The icon "CC" was Lagerfield's idea, and that is what sells. It's all about marketing to people's insecurities. Just watch "Inventing Anna. ".

[@NorthnodeWellness]

I remember in the 2000s I was not into Coach at all & it seemed cheap even though the price wasn’t. It took 20 years for a friend to convince me to go into a Coach store & I was pleasantly surprised. The quality is there & there are some beautiful classic pieces

[@angieb7572]

I love Vivienne Westwood. Luxury is relevant to your affordability factor also . We can get sucked in to needing a Chanel bag so badly , lately I’ve been thinking though if we were at war it wouldn’t matter what bag we were fleeing to safety with ,with our possessions in 😩xx

[@janisezack1610]

Angie B You are correct.

[@angieb7572]

@@janisezack1610 ♥️

[@melissalovingood3817]

Love this topic. I have friends who wouldn’t pay Coach money for a bag let alone Chanel money. They think I’m crazy for how much I spend on a bag. Lol but cherish my $14 bag as much as my Chanel reissue. For me it’s what you cherish and brings you joy!

[@murielleaendekerk4601]

Luxury to me is Delvaux and Mark Cross... Amazing quality and craftmanship and worth the price. But I also love Coach, Longchamp and Marc Jacobs

[@junebarber8459]

Michael Kors always reminds me of market stuff. Even if it’s genuine, one would assume it’s fake - just too tacky …

[@db12369]

But LV have fakes and super fakes all over the place. The Never full is soooo common- LV fakes everywhere. But if folks love the brand buy it because you love it.

[@minimini550]

It’s funny because that’s more or less how I feel about Chanel and LV (and slowly Hermes tbh). 90-95% of the times I see a bag with those logos I just automatically assume it’s a fake. Especially if the person wearing it is under 35

[@Natalia91]

I had a course about luxury company management and I learned that what makes luxury is the exclusivity, the heritage, the “dream” value of the brand and there is also the “made in France” “made in Italy”. One thing that I believe differentiates brands like Coach, Michael Kors, Kate spade is that they lack that craftsmanship that is intricate to luxury brands. These bags are often made in China and they are American brands, which already make them less desirable than an European brand. (I read that Prada produced part of their goods in China as well but it’s not widespread information). I don’t know much about Vivienne Westwood, but it can also be their brand’s choice to charge less and sell more.

[@juliaallen2018]

I love Coach so much, the quality is fabulous, much better than my LV and Balenciaga bags. I love the colours they bring out as well, really fun and different x

[@jenpetersen6671]

The quote "We buy a feeling, not an item" is never more true than with luxury purchases! Brands like Chanel or LV, where your shoes get slip bags, the box is thick and well-made, and the customer experience includes champagne.... the price you pay for the bag includes the experience during and after the purchase. Walking into a big-box department store and picking up a MK or Coach bag...again, the experience is partly responsible for the low price tag. Also, the scarcity complex is a big reason that "mass produced" brands are not viewed as true luxury, whether that scarcity is driven by production numbers or price point exclusivity.

[@jenpetersen6671]

@Mariel Ang Yes! This makes me so sad. I understand the business scheme behind it, but for sustainability reasons alone, it hurts!!

[@Rachelleluluful]

I love contemporary brand bags. I’m a HUGE Coach fan…always have been. The quality IS there too! I remember so many people saying the Coach Cassie was much better quality than the LV Pochette Metis. Yet one cost like $400 and the other is like $2000+. And the less expensive one is the better quality version. It’s pretty crazy when you think about it. What a fun video. Thanks Sophie! I love your houndstooth top! Looks gorgeous on you! 🥰

[@Vee-op3me]

Marketing is what sets "Luxury" apart from "Premium". Quality doesn't even factor into the equation of what makes something luxury vs premium, other than you would definitely expect quality from a luxury product. It's an oversimplification but scarcity and hype (usually artifically created) feed into the desirability aspect. Pricing, tactics to control supply, etc, all feed into how a brand like Chanel has built their brand in the mind of consumers. Whereas Coach positioned themselves in outlets, price lower, etc, thus making themselves more accessible and less of an indulgence. Indulgent = can demand a higher price tag

[@maggiee639]

I honestly love my Tory Burch Lee Radziwell bag, it’s made extremely well and looks beautiful even if it isn’t luxury.

[@SummeRain783]

Tory Burch I find is actually doing pretty well. Their craftsmanship has gotten better which may be the reason their prices are steadily increasing. I would not be surprised if they starting running up to LV level at some point. As of now, I think they are right between mid-tier and high end.

[@WeezyJeffersonYo]

The super expensive bags, either the broke girls trying to look rich have them, or the uber rich have them. I think a working, middle-class/upper middle class girl carries Coach with no problem. We'd rather spend $3000 experiences, like travel and activities

[@gwtr9481]

It's all about status, exclusivity, class, having something to show that symbolises your wealth, something not everyone can afford. This is not a dig as I love to watch your videos and work in the luxury industry. Just a note, Vivienne Westwood is very luxury high end in my opinion, but more for clothing e.g. SATC Carrie's wedding dress. What I think you should look into is why are some brands more successful with accessories (bags, belts) and others for clothing. X

[@heidiheidi0]

Yes I agree. Vivienne Westwood is definitely luxury, but not for bags really.

[@monicae67]

Born and raised in NYC, I’ve always loved Coach. I mainly loved their signature fabric but they did away with it so I began steering away from the brand. They also began to close their stand alone stores but the main reason why I stopped purchasing certain brands is because where they’re manufactured. When it says “imported”, that means made in China. NO THANKS!!! I don’t think many people are aware of this but Burberry began to as well. Imagine the nerve to charge as much as they do, only for it to be manufactured in China!! 🤦‍♀️🙄 I try my hardest to not purchase items that are made in China. VERY Difficult and almost impossible for certain things but for accessories, it isn’t so difficult. Marc Jacobs once designed for LV but I don’t think his brand went as far as you would’ve thought.

[@bascoaful]

Best luxury you can get is from small boutiques where everything is Handmade by the people that sell the product🥰😍

[@florancerogersasmr1675]

I do love a good Coach/Michael Kors bag. Great for everyday. I’ve also had quite a few pairs of trainers from both brands and they’ve always lasted a really long time. X

[@queenb2450]

like MK and Coach shoes and their flats are HEAVENLY....I bought some Coach flats for like $40 at Marshalls once and they are my comfiest shoes.

[@MzBeanieBoo]

Honestly, I feel like it has to do with where the bags are manufactured also along with prestige and exclusivity. Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade are typically not made in Italy nor France. The price point makes people not value them as high even though they may be of good quality. They are easily accessible and discount pricing cheapens the brand, especially outlets. Everyone knows not to buy these brands at full price because there will always be some type of sale. That drops the prestige.

[@Julia36D]

Chanel, LV, Dior etc are also not made in France or Italy. There are all sorts of legal loopholes that allow them to stamp made in Italy or made in France on the products, but the majority of it is constructed in China, Turkey or somewhere else with low overhead and low wages for workers. It’s all just about social currency.

[@MzBeanieBoo]

@@Julia36D regardless if that is the case, stamping that alone gives prestige and people buy prestige. Factor in the exclusivity aspect with the price increases and influencers carrying what are deemed higher end, people gravitate towards them. Everything is marketing.

[@leni6864]

I think lux is quality material, well made - and therefore Coach is luxury. Lambskin leather on a chanel and lambskin on a Coach is the same.

[@winterseason1357]

This is the affordable luxury category, driven by value for money. Meaning you pay for the brand name as much as for the quality I love Coach bags and a close friend is a MK addict and we still talk to each other :) Coach just like MK has products designed for the outlets and products designed for the retail boutiques. And you see more people getting outlet products because they are cheaper. Luxury brands don't sell in the outlets Maybe Coach doesn't want to be high end luxury only available to the rich, maybe Coach wants to be perceived as expensive (but attainable) and great quality Coach has stopped its retail lines from ending at the outlets. I think this has been a good move to separate both retail and outlet, and give the retail buyer some sense of exclusivity and better shopping experience Last but not least, they do have alligator bags above 5k. They never marketed them openly. They made very few of them actually in the rogue, tabby, beat and troupe styles a couple of years ago . I wanted one but I just could not justify the expense at that time.

[@empireorient733]

There’s a Gucci at the outlet in my area - Massachusetts

[@EyeGlassTrainofMind]

@@empireorient733 There's a Karl Lagerfeld at an outlet in my part of MA which I find to be incredibly ironic since he is famous for removing most Chanel products from high-access distribution points.

[@JVIPER88]

I think there are two factors holding American "luxury brands back: First is the image of American "culture", which is more laid back and casual. America isn't associated with luxury necessarily; it's more pragmatic, and that doesn't bode well for the image that an American luxury brand would want to emphasize. Second is where the items are made. You are not going to find many truly high-end luxury brands having their products manufactured in China, for example. They're all manufactured in France, Spain, Italy, etc, which gives the pieces an air of "quality". While Coach does make some items in the U.S., many of them are made in China or Vietnam. While the quality may objectively be the same (or better), the perception will be that it isn't.

[@geanniesanders4571]

I think Coach is definitely considered an entry level “luxury” for the beginner collection

[@squiffybird5166]

I have a lavender Coach card holder. (most expensive brand/thing I have) And after four years and everyday use it's held up so well despite how clumsy I am. My clumsy nature is also why I'm terrified of getting an actual bag, I will do something to ruin it 😂

[@SophieShohetOfficial]

Coach is one of my favourite brands, my mum got me onto it a few years back and I love their quality and designs. Happy Easter btw!💐🐰🐥🐣🍰🍾xx

[@marleenapeeters2479]

Hi Sophie, I believe the word you’re looking for is heritage. Chanel, Dior, LV, Hermes, all have heritage. Coach as well but as someone pointed out below, their pricing and business strategy is different. Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Aspinall and the like were all born later. I consider these brands premium brands, and one you forgot to mention is Furla! Exceptional quality, original designs and Italian made.

[@Mod0308]

Coach lost a lot of their prestige when they moved mass production in China. If that’s switched back to American made, there would be an uptick in respect for the brand.

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

The big elephant in the room is that classism plays a role in what is considered luxury. There are many labels that have amazing quality like Coach, Dooney & Bourke, and Michael Kors. Many of the fashion houses quality is not worth the thousands that are advertised. Now, more vintage Louis Vuitton items or Celine are worth the money due to quality. Love the video 😍

[@Poeticrebellion]

Louis Vuitton was actually the one that copied Coach's Cassie bag for the Pochette Metis.

[@CandleAshes]

Um… Cassie came out in 2019 and Pochette Métis came out in 2012

[@shazzyo3052]

They're both similar the the vintage Coach Court

[@V88333]

@@CandleAshes Cassie is the newer version of the Court bag that came out in 1989

[@spokenme08]

I'm a Kate Spade and Fossil girl myself.I think Michel Kors has some nice bags and Coach has quality items as well. It seems to be the name. I've gotten compliments on my The Sak bags as well.

[@SophieShohetOfficial]

Coach is my jam!😋❤️xx

[@madameonlyme1857]

@@SophieShohetOfficial i own 3 Coach Bags and they are just beautiful xx

[@debracannonrndsn2564]

Love coach and Dior equally

[@okapi323]

Another thing that adds to the luxury feel of a product is where it's made. Consumers are more willing to pay extra for a product made in France than China (Most Coach bags are apparently made in China)

[@Begining2013]

Also the Ferragamo bags are often gorgeous.

[@irinanovak1659]

Yes (and dresses)! I love them too, feels like nobody speaks about them at all.

[@sandrar6670]

I went to NYC to see the SATC Carrie Bradshaw wedding dress at the Vivienne Westwood flagship store when it was on display. It was stunning. Bought some VW costume jewelry. I think because the other brands you mentioned can be purchased at outlet malls or discount stores like TJMaxx, etc. they aren’t considered luxury. Lancel is another brand (French) that gets overlooked.

[@MulberryLover]

There are people out there, who would not be caught dead with a Chanel/ LV/Hermes bag. Certain designers go for more rock/alternative audience (Vivienne), other for fun and youthful (Moschino, Marc Jacobs), whilst other focus on mixing elements from various decades with minimalism ( Acne, Givenchy, Gucci, MM7), and other cater to feminine, soft ladies (Chloe, Celine, Ellie Saab), all the way to metropolitan unisex minimalist (Issey, DKNY, Wang) and work/ just get on with your day ( Longchamp/ MK). Moreover, the perspective of brand/price/value = luxury is relative. To some a £100 bag is an investment, for others a £1000 Mulberry is the right fit, others are willing to spend £2000, moving onto £7000 Chanel and £25000+ Hermes. For a super rich person, who has all the limited edition exotic Birkins, going out with an LV bag would be an embarrassment. Maybe not all brands want to be cooking exclusively for the queen, they have their own target groups. I think we all have our tiers of where we actually can afford to shop and what is meaningful for us. Luxury is in the eye of the beholder. I would not spend more than a thousand on a bag. I know how quickly I get bored and move onto the next bag. I myself identify the most with Mulberry, I love their style and the quality (of the old bags). I would never buy a Chanel/LV/Hermes bag for myself, because it doesn't fit my style and it almost seems to snobbish and show off. Furthermore, I would never pay that much. I am sure that these more 'affordable' brands still make great profits, whilst being able to differentiate. For some it is actually a mission to produce something their 'group' can afford to purchase (Vivienne, Marc J, Moschino), because they themselves identify with their audience (punk, LGBT,...)

[@luvlife2355]

This doesn't just apply to bags, this can be applied to anything. For many, a Honda Accord can be luxurious. Regarding bags, the quality of Coach bags can be far superior than Chanel and other super high priced bags. Comes down to cost and availability. The more available, the cheaper the costs and the less appeal. Wonderful news for me because I end up getting top quality bags for a lot less. The fact that LV, Dior, Birkin, etc bags are duped to the point where you can't tell the differences speaks volums. To each their own...buy what you love.

[@taopeacock5866]

I absolutely love Coach and Marc Jacobs. The quality of the leather and the designs of the bags are timeless and beautiful. Before I walked into a coach store I didn’t view it as a luxurious brand, however my opinion has massively changed. I feel just as fancy stepping out with my coach as I do with my Prada. I think this stems from the luxurious feeling of shopping in store, especially in the Tokyo branches of Coach. The quality of the bags feel better than my Prada and Chanel also!

[@kathybaker6078]

Coach owns Kate Spade

[@Scotchandboots]

I spent several years as a corporate concierge. Many of the clients who used our service were wealthy enough to be considered part of the 1%. These people are the target market and primary consumers of "luxury" brands. People who can afford anything they want are always seeking the best, the newest and the most exclusive. They don't want what is readily accessible--they want the status symbol that shows the world they're wealthy enough to get what most others can't have. While quality is certainly a factor in how much a customer is willing to pay for a bag, I believe that accessibility also plays a huge part. Luxury fashion houses take steps to limit accessibility, creating a certain mystique that makes their bag even more attractive. During my time as a concierge, the Hermes Birkin bag was the Holy Grail of handbags. It wasn't the price tag that made it so desirable; it was the fact that it was so hard to obtain. You could put your name on a two-year wait list, though on rare occasions a Birkin might become available at one of their stores. I've been told by staff at Hermes stores that they cannot tell you over the phone whether a bag is available at their location--in-store inquiries only--and they will not reserve a bag for any customer. Practices like this not only make the Birkin bag seem more exclusive, but the customer has to put in additional effort to get one. For the lucky customers who are eventually able to buy a Birkin bag, it's not just a purchase; it's an achievement.

[@ChildofGoodFortune]

Hi all, Aspinall is a great brand it's true and I appreciate being able to experience great customer service whilst buying a top notch bag at a reasonable price. But they don't have the prestige that comes from an haute couture house like Chanel, Dior or the history of Louis Vuitton. Neither do their designs appeal to the younger market like Mulberry. They produce timeless designs not the cutting edge of fashion.

[@kristinavogel7551]

I’m looking forward to trying an Aspinal bag. They seem to be classic quality. I’m in the US, so we have limited access to Mulberry and Aspinal.

[@julianurse3372]

I recently bumped into a friend I hadn't seen in years. She was looking for a handbag and said she had seen one she liked but it was £160. I didn't tell her about the handbags that I own as I have several CHANEL, Mulberry and LV. She would have thought I'd either won the lottery or was insane! It really depends on the person I guess. She was quite happy with a handbag that stores her belongings...colour and shape...considering the seasons etc. But yea, she wanted one bag for the summer...my handbag collection remains a secret! 🤣

[@librarising0]

I like and respect Coach! I got a tote bag for my mum last year! It has incredible quality and the history of the brand is there. You have so many good points on why we pay for luxury, it comes down to the actual brand itself and logo. I've got a few things on my wishlist like Chanel, LV etc but I also want a coach handbag. I think it's important that we ask ourselves, 'why do we want this?' and if we need it or want it because it's the brand name item.

[@hattie1114]

For me it’s about quality and affordability. Stylish comes afterwards. I like MK, D &B, mostly Coach. Luxury bags that cost over $1k are for folks that have money to spend and doesn’t effect household budgets. It’s truly about your own perceptions and what motivates you. Thanks for bringing up this chat.

[@belindahearn2662]

Thanks for sharing, I own "luxury" and contemporary. I saw a micheal kors bag today that I had to tell myself it is okay if I want it. We should buy things because we love them not because we are concerned about status. This goes for me and everyone else, enjoy what you love!!! Thanks for everyone's perspective.

[@nicoledebace]

The world of "luxury" is baffling to me. I just prefer to look at quality over labels in everything I buy and I don't look at possessions as financial investments. I understand the concept, but it's too much pressure for me to keep something pristine. I'm rough on my bags and I like things that can stand up to that and still look good. I try to focus on things I think I will keep and love forever, so I am more drawn to small artisan companies that can handmake something I love. For less than $400 there are several places I can go to that make me custom bags that will last forever.

[@eshaibraheem4218]

I think Aspinal bags look superior, partly becase they don't plaster them with logos. However, I buy handmade bags and shoes, of beautiful design and modest cost, from a one shop leather company in Cairo. They are all original and I love them. I have bought my luggage from them, too. An English friend drools over them!

[@vickster4474]

I'd love to know the name of the shop

[@sherylblatt8621]

Where would you place Mulberry? It’s fabulous leather and is superbly made!

[@Girlbrushedpink]

I have tried many bags and hands down Coach has the BEST quality!

[@ENRICHOE]

I feel like one thing that helps these more commonly perceived luxury brands are their countries of origin too. Dior, LV, Chanel, Gucci, they are all from France and Italy, which are mostly perceived as "fashion countries", or where you expect a luxury fashion brand to originate from. There is a level of snobbiness to it, but when a luxury brand originates from somewhere less associated with being a luxury country, with an English, easy to pronounce name, it feels less luxurious because it feels very familiar to us (the name "Michael", for example, feels very common whereas having a brand where people struggle to pronounce the name such as Yves Saint Laurent feels like they exist on a different plane or level). This is just one thing I've seen and realized. The more "exotic" the brand sounds, whether the name, the origin, or even the materials (think Himalayan Crocodile instead of just being called silver crocodile or something) gives a brand or product a higher level of luxury. In car terms, its kind of like if the Pagani Huayra was called a "Lucas Townley" it would just seem less cool and desirable. (No offence to Lucas Townley-s) Its something to do with us feeling like the harder and more unique these names are, the more luxurious it feels. I don't know, that's just what I feel.

[@archeewaters]

the definition of luxury is: something that is desirable but expensive or hard to obtain. so i guess it depends on someone's salary or situation, so it can be different for everyone. so basically "branding" is what drives price.

[@nmernst]

Such a great video thanks for sharing ☺️ Coach bags in general are stunning and worth what you pay for. Customer service is quite good as well. They do some inspired designs but also unique ones. As to why Chanel is where it is, I'd say it is because for one it is a fashion house that happens to market their bags like nobody's business. Coach on the other hand appeals to the masses and it's history is quite different than Chanel. It was started as a leather goods company that has marketed themselves quite differently.

[@Na-id1ok]

Hi Sophie, agree with your points. I think it’s got to do with where the bags are made as well. Once the brands moved their factories to China or Vietnam in the case of coach, it’s hard to see how they can command the high end price tags. Imagine a chanel bag with a made in China tag…

[@idaranwa4370]

I just wanted to add the resale market for bags like Coach, Michael Korea, etc is bad. You can pay $500 to $700 for a contemporary bag and you only get 100 to 200 dollars back if your lucky.