In Defense of the Mini

The mini trend is by no means a new one, but it makes perfect sense now considering the minimalism movement in lifestyle and fashion today. People everywhere are decluttering and downsizing as a reaction to the current economy. In addition, there is growing social awareness and anti-consumption.

Popular documentaries like The True Cost outline the unsustainable practices of fast fashion while consumers shift from acquiring all of the latest "it" goods to building capsule/French wardrobes. Everywhere, people are paring down their closets and eliminating the unnecessary. As Marie Kondo would ask, "Does this spark joy in your life?"

We aspire to have less responsibilities and own fewer belongings. We no longer want to be tied down by our baggage, literally and figuratively. Therefore, wouldn't it make more sense to carry smaller bags? Instead of hauling everything on our backs, wouldn't it be easier to bring just the basics?

Here are some of my favorite purses that have gotten the shrink ray treatment:

Alexander Wang Mini Rockie ($595)

3.1 Phillip Lim Mini Pashli ($695)

MCM Bebe Boo ($1100)

Balenciaga Mini Metal Edge City ($1545)

Louis Vuitton Alma BB ($1820)

What are your favorite mini bags? Comment below and let us know!

Playing Devil's Advocate: The Case for Counterfeiting

Ask any dedicated fashionista how they feel about knockoffs and you're likely to get the same response. Most already know of the detrimental practices associated with the counterfeiting industry, including child labor and indentured servitude. Salon recently published an article about the human cost of buying phony items on the black market. 

But what if there was an upside to counterfeiting? I recently came across two articles that made me rethink the relationship between brands and their imitations. According to a new study in Marketing Science, counterfeiting can drive original brands to improve designs and use better quality materials to differentiate themselves from the knockoffs. As one researcher commented: "Established companies don't sit idly by while they are copied shamelessly. They react by improving their products to set them apart from their illegal competitors."

In another article from Forbes, a writer argues that fakes can actually whet the consumer's appetite for the real deal. She observes how "purse parties" (think Tupperware, except with illegal handbags) can generate interest in the genuine goods:

Much to my surprise, and perhaps theirs, these consumers experienced increased attachment to the real brands. The fake products were a gateway. As my subjects’ knowledge of the luxury-handbag brands increased, they began to go into stores to check out the real thing–something they had never done prior to attending these purse parties.
The fakes hadn’t turned potential Gucci customers away from the brand. The opposite was true.
There were various reasons why. Women who’d bought bags at a purse party began to notice the inferior quality of the fakes–and envy the real thing. They also reported feeling compelled to admit to other that their purchases were fakes. This caused them to experience a tension between their positive private self-images and their dishonest public behavior. “If my possessions are fake,” they eventually reasoned, “what does that say about me?”

Disclaimer: I do not condone counterfeiting. As the title suggests, I am merely playing devil's advocate

MCM Visetos Charm Review

Check out my new video on MCM!

Modern Creation Munich, better known as MCM, was a German brand founded in 1976. MCM was originally named for its founder, Michael Cromer. Despite its popularity throughout the 80s and 90s, the company went bankrupt and was later acquired by a South Korean businesswoman. Nowadays, most MCM products are made in Korea, and the brand has resurged in popularity thanks to celebrity endorsements.

Today, I have a special reveal of the Visetos Zebra charm from Spring/Summer 2014 collection! It's such a fun accessory to add personality to any bag. Here is a closer look at the charm on my Stark backpack (from the same brand):

MCM charms retail for $195-540, which may seem a bit pricey until you compare them with the Fendi bag bugs (retail: $400-1450). You can pick up your own charm from the official MCM e-store.

If this charm doesn't tickle your fancy, fear not: this is the golden age of luxury tchotchkes and there are plenty more brands jumping on the bag charm bandwagon. For starters, you can check out the accessories selection on Shopbop! Let me know if you have any favorites in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post

Chanel: The Decline of an Icon

There have been rumors swirling about the internet for weeks, but it has finally been confirmed by a legitimate source: Chanel will no longer offer its refurbishment/refinishing services for handbags 5 years after initial purchase. In addition, Chanel will require proof of purchase before repairing any products within the 5 year timeframe.

Understandably, many fans are upset with the new policy change. People buy Chanel bags with the intention of keeping them for decades. Some even consider their Classic Flaps to be family heirlooms. So it is especially disappointing that such a renowned brand would choose to pursue this course of action and alienate many longtime customers.

Chanel is allegedly doing this to combat resales. Vintage handbags make up a significant portion of the secondhand market. Yet, Chanel's heavy-handedness may do more harm than good. When people buy a Chanel handbag, they expect the quality craftsmanship and customer service that comes with the exorbitant price. With all of the recent changes, people may not feel as tempted to spend their money at Chanel when there are better options at a similar price point. Chanel's actions sound suspiciously like planned obsolescence. As one commenter put it: "This 5-year policy will inevitably result in 5-year thread, 5-year finishes, etc. That's just the way economics works."

Is this the final nail in the coffin? Probably not, since Chanel is such an iconic brand and people will continue to buy anything with the double-C logo. Still, the brand has made many unpopular business decisions such as soaring prices and deteriorating quality. According to Racked, Chanel pricing increases an average of 15% each year. The Classic Flap that cost $1,650 in 2005 now costs almost $5,000. Handbags used to feature 24K gold-plated hardware until 2009; now they use mixed metal alloys. Megs from Purseblog shared her story of how her Reissue 227 broke after a little over a year. As much as I would love to own a Classic Flap or a Boy Bag, I feel wary of investing money in a company that won't stand by its supposedly "timeless" products.

Update: Purseblog has posted an official statement from a Chanel spokesperson

A Look at Tsumori Chisato

Today, I'm featuring one of my favorite designers: Tsumori Chisato. Tsumori Chisato hails from the city of Saitama, Japan. After graduating from Bunka Fashion School, she began work with Issey Miyake in 1977 and later debuted her own line in 1990.

Tsumori Chisato is known for her whimsical/bohemian designs inspired by manga illustrations. I love the playful yet casual elements of her clothes, from the drapey/oversized fits to the fun patterns. Her clothes perfectly encapsulate the quirky and youthful feel of Harajuku fashion.

Tsumori Chisato designs usually feature a cat motif, as seen on this zipper.

The brand also has a handbag/accessories line called Tsumori Chisato Carry. Here is my review of a card case from the Carry line:

Tsumori Chisato is not widely available in America yet. She does have an e-store, where you can check out products from her current season. Alternatively, you can find many Carry items on the international Rakuten site.

Sidenote: Japanese customer service is absolutely phenomenal. I was blown away by the professionalism of the SA's from luxury boutiques to 100 yen shops. Everyone takes pride in their work, and it really shows in how they interact with the customers.

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored blog post

Tory Burch Robinson "Wear and Tear" Review

Hello, and welcome to my blog! Today, I want to share my experience with the Tory Burch Robinson coin purse.

Tory Burch is a mid-range contemporary designer (often compared to Michael Kors and Coach). The brand is mostly known for its handbags and Reva ballet flats, but Tory Burch is quickly becoming a household name thanks to its accessible luxury status. I bought a coin purse from the Robinson line a couple of years ago, which I have been using everyday since then.

The leather has held up surprisingly well considering all of the abuse it has gone through. I have taken it hiking through Asia, backpacking in Europe, etc. Once, it got completely soaked during a camping trip.

The color and texture of the saffiano leather do a great job of hiding scuff marks and discoloration. Overall, I can't recommend this wallet enough! I think it's a great budget-friendly alternative to the Louis Vuitton zippy coin purse (retail $445 in epi) or similar models from high-end brands.

You can buy the same Tory Burch Robinson coin purse for $115 here or like styles here

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored blog post