Images via Vogue.com
Burberry and I have an odd relationship. I find myself lusting after the brand’s ready-to-wear and outerwear every season without fail, and often its boots as well, but my feelings about the British brand’s bags are often a tad…fraught. I can honestly say, though, that there’s not a single bag from Burberry Spring 2012 that I wouldn’t carry.
Perhaps the biggest surprise from the collection was how little leather it included. In fact, only a few of the woven clutches were entirely leather and a couple of the larger totes were suede and croc (be it real or faux, I’m not sure), but the overwhelming majoring were woven raffia with croc trim. That’s something of a departure for the brand, and the resulting totes and clutches felt on-trend (expect to see lots of raffia for spring) and modern. Particularly the fun little clutches, which may have a rather small retail audience but which I’d be delighted to carry to any summer party.
-
Therefore I very recently bought a Burberry replica handbag or tote which I am in love with. Burberry is one brand which I personally at least can’t justify buying a actual purse from. Especially after I saw this documentary on Youtube in which it revealed Burberry choosing to transfer their creation from the UK (where they originated from — they are a British brand for all those who don’t know) to South Asia. As a company decision that makes a lot of feel as the owners of the company may now make their bags for dirt cheap and enjoy maximum markups. But for the legacy of the brand and in terms of the luxury radar it was a major mistake. Why would anyone in their right mind pay full price for a Burberry handbag when you can buy a knockoff manufactured in precisely the exact same country, and most likely in precisely the exact same factory for a far lower cost? At least companies like Louis Vuitton, Chanel etc. build their handbags in Europe to give it that feeling of lux (although many of their components come from China too!) . I feel like once I look at the tag of a purse and it says “made in China” once I cover over a million dollars for it, I have been ripped off in a sense. Personally, I support true artisanal craft particularly in regards to purses and leather, for which I’m weak in the knees, but Burberry has definitely dropped the ball when it concerns the whole luxury variable surrounding their brand. I can not get over the part in the video where all of the British Burberry craftsmen were concerned about staying unemployed for the remainder of their lives following the mill was due to close.
-
