I'm still alive! It's been a busy month which explains the lack of updates, and it looks like my schedule will be just as bad this December. I'll still try to update as much as I can. Let me start with my newest obsession (thisclose to becoming my Christmas gift to myself):
It's the Alexander Wang Rocco Duffel Bag! This bag is not new, actually. It's been around since 2009, but I've been loving the studs and leather trend (on bags, shoes and belts) lately and I've been looking for perfect bag with that vibe.
The Rocco is almost perfect. The leather is oh-so-yummy:
The studs (grommets?) are so bad-ass:
And there's a detachable strap that converts it from a satchel/arm-bag to a shoulder bag/duffel:
There are some minor flaws, though. The bag weighs a whopping 1.5kg (all that hardware no doubt contributing to the weight!). And the price is a bit steep for USD875. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any cheaper studded black leather bag that suits my taste. Except for this Alexa bag from BagInc which is basically a Rocco knock-off:
A very well-made knock-off, if I may add. It's almost an exact copy! It's made of real calfskin leather and is only USD149! Plus, shipping is free to anywhere in the world!
Now, if only I can get over my aversion to knock-offs, I would totally buy that Alexa bag. For now though, the Rocco is still calling out to me. Decisions, decisions!
I saw a Rocco available at Homme et Femme at Shang. And if you're worried about the weight of the bag, a new, neoprene-backed, resin studded version just came out and is available at Barneys.com, last time I checked.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go for the knock-off, if I were you. It would bother you every time you wore it out, and you might end up not using it all.
I am still on the fence when it comes to "knockoffs"---i have a quilted bag which i call my "chanel-chanelan bag" or my "Channel" bag since I don't pretend it's a real Chanel (plus it has no quilting at the back, unlike a real Chanel) but the quilted detail definitely alludes to Chanel. Siyempre, concerned ako sa IP infringement issues! :) hahaha. Another example, if I wear a scarf with checks similar to Burberry but there's no Burberry brand anywhere on the scarf, am I considered wearing a fake? Also, I saw this bag in Bayo that is similar to the Mulberry Alexa but with the Bayo brand and quality is good enough for the price (P1200 vs. P12,000 for the real thing), do you think it's a good idea to get the "knockoff"? alam ko ikaw nagtanong but I'm also asking you here about your thoughts. Hehe
ReplyDeleteSorry i meant HK$12,000 for the Mulberry Alexa! ;) I asked when i was in HK! hehe
ReplyDeleteJudy, to answer your question: if the Burberry-like scarf has a Burberry label, I consider that a fake. If the scarf has no Burberry label, I consider that a knock-off. I will definitely not wear or carry fakes, but I'm still on the fence about knock-offs. I'm uncomfortable wearing/carrying knock offs kasi if someone notices and thinks it's the real thing, I get uncomfortable explaining. Haha.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Chanel, Kate Spade has this line of bags similar to the quilted caviar leather line of Chanel. It's not really a knock-off because the shapes of the bags are different, but it's so obviously inspired by the Chanel quilted bags. Pwede na for the price. And the kate spade logo is prominent so no one will think it's Chanel.
I don't know if my explanation made sense, haha.
Just to clear things up, the Mulberry Alexa does not cost 12,000. It costs about 4 times that for the regular. Hehe.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I meant HK$12,000 for the Mulberry Alexa! I asked when I was in HK. hehe :)
ReplyDeleteMel, I agree. I'm also against fakes but am still unsure about knockoffs. Yes, it could get uncomfortable explaining knockoffs noh? By the way, I checked with the IP lawyers and based on their worldwide database, apparently, the Burberry checks are patented. So I guess there's infringement even without any fake labels? I don't know if the same applies to the Chanel quilting :)
ReplyDelete*and correction, I meant HK12,000 for the oversized Alexa :)