Amy, I can’t stop getting ads for this bag now, and I’ll never look at one without thinking of you! If I could have chosen any bag to remember you by, this wouldn’t be it :)
I find these bags unbelievably boring to look at. The kind of boring where you forget what you saw two seconds after you saw it. I starting writing this, realized I already didn't remember what they looked like and had to stop writing to go back and look. Yup, completely unmemorable. But that has sort of been the era we have been in for a while, right? Bland, neutrals, everyone just sort of blending into each other? The 'Mocha Mousse' era; the super expensive black-clothes-that-all-look-the-same-on era? At least for me, I can never imagine spending so much money on a bag, or any item, that is just going to blend into the background. Something completely lacking in any originality or interesting quality. A large 'V' is not interesting; it's just a letter.
As far as bags go, the Viva Superstar actually looks like a good everyday bag (albeit a little slim for practicality sake), and I think the graphic logo design is better than the same old gold clasp logo - it actually looks almost unique to untrained eyes. I wonder if they had focused on a single bag as the 'star' instead of misc. bags it might have felt more.. natural/organic?
Seems a little, what my son would call "try hard"? I feel like there are other options at that price point with better recognizable brands/logos. And taken with the step toward quiet luxury it feels like it's just doing too much
You are spot-on with your analysis esp regarding the missing credibility of Valentino vs Gucci. In my view these bag designs are too logo-heavy for 2025 as this approach does not reflect what makes an It-bag an It-bag today. Take the Margaux or the Teckel, neither stands out because of a logo, but because of a very specific design which appeals to an IYKYK audience. That is very different to what the Valentino bags offer, I do think Michele is an amazing designer but in my pov a logoed bag is not the way to go (maybe for a new-riche audience). I think a direction without a big logo and just a recognizable shape would have been more interesting (plus we don’t know the new brand world of Valentino yet which is crucial for success in my pov). That being said there is also a Miu-Miu route that does feature heavy logo-use, but somehow the Miu-Miu designs feel more contemporary - plus they work with the most interesting people which helps to shape the world of the brand.
Fascinating piece, I never fail to be intrigued. As a working class woman who has never owned a bag or pair of shoes that cost more than $80 I'm here to observe how the other half lives. Amazing how having a large disposable income can lead to anxiety about how to use it to signal being an interesting person. Prestige brands mine lack of self confidence and creativity to sell their mass manufactured garbage. Wealth makes this type of consumer less free and more captured.
I know that it’s fun to be the first one to have the new it bag, but if we all have the it bag doesn’t that mean we were followers instead of innovative, risky, different from the pack.
While I am constantly interested in the Birkin bag, I really looked at it and it is not for me! Would love to own it just for investment like my 401K.
Amy, I can’t stop getting ads for this bag now, and I’ll never look at one without thinking of you! If I could have chosen any bag to remember you by, this wouldn’t be it :)
You’re welcome 🤣🤣
I find these bags unbelievably boring to look at. The kind of boring where you forget what you saw two seconds after you saw it. I starting writing this, realized I already didn't remember what they looked like and had to stop writing to go back and look. Yup, completely unmemorable. But that has sort of been the era we have been in for a while, right? Bland, neutrals, everyone just sort of blending into each other? The 'Mocha Mousse' era; the super expensive black-clothes-that-all-look-the-same-on era? At least for me, I can never imagine spending so much money on a bag, or any item, that is just going to blend into the background. Something completely lacking in any originality or interesting quality. A large 'V' is not interesting; it's just a letter.
As far as bags go, the Viva Superstar actually looks like a good everyday bag (albeit a little slim for practicality sake), and I think the graphic logo design is better than the same old gold clasp logo - it actually looks almost unique to untrained eyes. I wonder if they had focused on a single bag as the 'star' instead of misc. bags it might have felt more.. natural/organic?
I agree - I do like that one.
Seems a little, what my son would call "try hard"? I feel like there are other options at that price point with better recognizable brands/logos. And taken with the step toward quiet luxury it feels like it's just doing too much
You are spot-on with your analysis esp regarding the missing credibility of Valentino vs Gucci. In my view these bag designs are too logo-heavy for 2025 as this approach does not reflect what makes an It-bag an It-bag today. Take the Margaux or the Teckel, neither stands out because of a logo, but because of a very specific design which appeals to an IYKYK audience. That is very different to what the Valentino bags offer, I do think Michele is an amazing designer but in my pov a logoed bag is not the way to go (maybe for a new-riche audience). I think a direction without a big logo and just a recognizable shape would have been more interesting (plus we don’t know the new brand world of Valentino yet which is crucial for success in my pov). That being said there is also a Miu-Miu route that does feature heavy logo-use, but somehow the Miu-Miu designs feel more contemporary - plus they work with the most interesting people which helps to shape the world of the brand.
The giant logo says “downmarket.”
Fascinating piece, I never fail to be intrigued. As a working class woman who has never owned a bag or pair of shoes that cost more than $80 I'm here to observe how the other half lives. Amazing how having a large disposable income can lead to anxiety about how to use it to signal being an interesting person. Prestige brands mine lack of self confidence and creativity to sell their mass manufactured garbage. Wealth makes this type of consumer less free and more captured.
Wow, these are some ugly ass bags. The aggressive logo is giving me cheap bootleg market vibes.
I know that it’s fun to be the first one to have the new it bag, but if we all have the it bag doesn’t that mean we were followers instead of innovative, risky, different from the pack.
While I am constantly interested in the Birkin bag, I really looked at it and it is not for me! Would love to own it just for investment like my 401K.