CC 66: The Philophile
In today’s installment of closet Confessionals we meet a self-proclaimed Philophile who is extremely real and down to earth about her purchases. Her collection is streamlined and includes classic pieces from various eras, but her all-time favorite is a Phoebe Philo-era tote. though she admits to being a bit of a material person who loves beautiful things, she also knows that big purchases won’t make her any happier in life. beyond acquiring something new, shopping makes her pleased as she enjoys the act of admiring things that are aesthetically pleasing—designer or not. This confessor’s purchases are thought out and budgeted for, and shopping within her implies is a big part of her attitude towards bags. Unfortunately, she has experienced the negative aspect of shopping luxury and has received inferior service at shops in Europe. though on the flip side, one of her favorite bag purchasing moments was when a sales partner tracked her down after finding her dream bag deep in the stockroom. read the full confessional below and be sure to submit your own!
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The Basics
Age: 35
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Singapore
Occupation: Producer
Industry: Media
Salary: $60,000
Household Income: $60,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How numerous bags do you own? दोष
What bags are in your collection?
Celine Sangle Seau tote (Phoebe Philo era)
Celine Trio purse (Phoebe Philo era)
Chanel 2.55 reissue (from 2006 or 2007, purchased secondhand in 2011)
Issey Miyake Baobao tote
Saint Laurent Duffle 6 (Hedi Slimane era)
YSL Tribute tote (Stefano Pilati era)
Mulberry Bayswater
APC Sac June purse
Steven Alan Lilly purse
Vast collection of canvas totes from everywhere, typically free, in some cases purchased.
How much is your collection worth? around US$9,000, if you only count the designer ones.
What is your many expensive bag? The Chanel 2.55 reissue edges out the Celine Sangle Seau just a little, by a few hundred bucks. If I remember correctly, I paid under US$2,500 for the Chanel, which is a steal compared to purchasing one new.
I purchased it off a respectable forum and I spent quite a bit of time researching and consulting third party authenticators. I also took it once to Chanel to ask for guidance for cleaning and they never bat an eyelid, so I’m assuming it’s real, lol. In any case, it’s been so numerous years and it looks and feels amazing, so even if it’s fake, it’s certainly solid. The reissues, at least from 2007 and earlier, are developed like little luxurious tanks — beautiful to touch and feel but they weigh a tonne, and the leather is very robust. The sheer weight implies I don’t often use it but I love having it.
What are the most essential brands or pieces in your collection? I think the Celine Sangle Seau is very special – certainly luxe but very discreet and not an apparent choice..it’s not as recognisable as the Luggage tote, or the Belt bag. The Phoebe Philo era at Celine had some great understated pieces – one bag I wished I purchased was the Twisted Cabas, but it was a very tall bag and I suspect it might have been a wee bit annoying to use, but it has such a great shape and vibe. I think the Trio is rather overpriced of what it is, but the three-pocket design is so clean and useful and I use a lot – on holidays it goes from sight-seeing to good dinners and I like the graphical lines. people who don’t know anything (or care) about luxury brands and designers always compliment me on these two bags.
The Chanel reissue was also significant…I really loved the Coco Chanel mythology at the time and I think a lot of her ideas about clothing are timeless (I’m rather less taken with her anti-Semitism and the glow has vanished because I learnt much more about that). aside from that, I think the bag came from a time when luxury brands were much more consistent in quality, and it’s a pointer how how much out there now is just gloss, compared to something so well-made.
The YSL Tribute is one of my fave bags ever, though it’s rather heavy compared to the Sangle Seau, and I don’t use it as often anymore. but I really love Stefano Pilati’s work at YSL – there was a lot of personality! The shops used to be this beautiful opium red, now they’re a bit cookie-cutter “luxury brand”.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? My first designer bag was the Mulberry Bayswater, which I regret, unfortunately. It’s a very beautiful mirrored bronze leather, and it looks fantastic but it is so impractical. The gloss is quite high maintenance and looks awful when scratched or creased…and my life is quite an active, unfancy one so I really choose bags that age well in the elements. Also, it’s quite a boxy design and after that I realise that I really don’t like bags that have such a stiff structure, and choose bags that relocation with my body. I also dislike the clasp, which made it a pain to get things in and out.
I still have it, because it’s not in good enough condition to fetch any kind of respectable price resale, and it’s kind of a pointer to “know thyself” before you spend good money on a designer bag. It doesn’t matter how popular it is…everyone is different and it’s really about your lifestyle and habits. Also, I purchased it on steep discount and I realise now it is a mistake to purchase something simply because it’s on sale and a “steal”.
Is there a particular bag you are wanting to purchase next? Not particularly. I think the glow of designer bags has worn off for me, and I’m much much more cynical about the marketing of luxury conglomerates. Also, once you’ve handled enough quality bags (old Chanel, Hermes), you become very unimpressed with many of what is out there. I don’t make much and while I don’t mind splurging, I don’t want to be suckered by branding and pay thousands for something that isn’t special.
Also, my current job as a producer is very casual, and I deal with a lot of non-profits, so swinging around conspicuously expensive bags isn’t appropriate. I’m pleased with what I have and I don’t want to purchase new bags that will just sit on the shelf.
My last designer bag was a Baobao – one of those Prism bags, with a pretty metallic sprinkled paint effect. It looks like a little painting. I love that it is lightweight but strong, and it looks cool. It’s a statement but it’s useful and works for my life.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Nope. I love my bags but I’m not sentimental about them. I took a break from work a couple years ago, and in that time I travelled on a budget, and designer bags were really far away from my mind. I think that changed the way I saw them; something that seemed so essential when I purchased it, all of a sudden had no place in my life. I was pleased to come back and start using my bags again when I started working, but I didn’t miss them.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Yes, I in some cases feel self-conscious when I carry something a bit much more recognisable. I’m used to it now but I used to wonder if I’m seen as materialistic and status conscious. even friends made comments like, “I didn’t know you’re the kind of person who spend a few thousand dollars on a handbag.” You do get used to it. everyone judges when people spend large sums of money, and so long as I was spending responsibly, I don’t feel like I need to discuss or apologise for it.
Once, in one of my previous jobs, a co-worker recognised I was carrying a Saint Laurent bag, and grilled me endlessly about it. I was pretty annoyed, not because I’m ashamed of my spending but because she was just being nosy and searching for something to cast judgement over. I remember countering: “Are you trying to find out how much I make? Do you think that’s appropriate?”
That shut her up. but it did make me realise that people do look very closely at what you use/carry/wear, and you always have to be ready for this sort of nonsense or else it could turn into something needlessly dramatic.
On the flip side, I love meeting a fellow Philophile. There’s something special about encountering someone who comprehends that little emotional reaction to certain objects. and this is not like, a imply Girls, “who’s in and who’s out” mentality. It’s like meeting someone who likes the same movie, or book.
किनमेल
How often do you purchase new bags? Every two years, it feels like. I keep saying, no much more bags! I purchased the Baobao in 2018, and I hope that’s the last of it for a while. I’ve become much more interested in ethical production for fashion and that helps – I really want to know how things are made and that the process wasn’t harmful to people or the environment. very few luxury brands have that kind of transparency.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I like to see what’s happening at Loewe. I like Jonathan Anderson’s work and his bags are quirky and cool. I don’t feel like I have the lifestyle for them but visually, it’s fun. I also like shops like On Pedder, which carry a range of designers and it’s cool to see what emerging brands or designers are doing.
Do you ever purchase second-hand bags? Where do you purchase used? My only secondhand bag is the Chanel reissue, and sadly I can’t remember the name of the resale forum I got it from. I actually did a tonne of research on TPF back in 2011 and it was dead helpful in terms of figuring what questions I ought to be asking sellers. I delight in looking on TRR but honestly, I won’t pull the activate unless it’s something you know no one can be arsed to copy. The big names and styles are too pricey and risky for me to roll the dice, no matter what TRR says about their authentication process.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? Nope! I’m not precious about my possessions and many of what I have is probably too battered to be worth the hassle of selling. Plus, I like my collectionतिनीहरूसँग भाग लिने कुनै इच्छा छैन।
के तपाईं कहिल्यै अधिक झोला खरीद गर्न सामाजिक दबाव महसुस गर्नुहुन्छ? होइन। मसँग दुई बहिनीहरू छन् र केहि केसहरूमा उनीहरूले एउटा सुन्दर झोला किन्दछन् जुन मलाई अलि अलि परस्काउँदछ, तर प्राय: मलाई मेरो अभ्यासहरू राम्रोसँग चिन्छ र मलाई धेरै कुरा थाहा छ। साथै, झोला टि-शर्ट जस्तो छैन – तपाईं वास्तवमै एकैचोटि यति धेरै प्रयोग गर्न सक्नुहुन्न, र छालाको झोलामा साँच्चै राम्रो गर्न सकिदैन। छालाको सर्तमा बिग्रन्छ र त्यसपछि यो केवल केहि हुन्छ जुन तपाईंले कायम राख्नुपर्दछ र जित्नुपर्दछ। त्यसमा कत्ति रमाइलो भयो?
के तपाइँ तपाइँको झोला खरीदहरु खरीदहरु लाई विचार गर्नुहुन्छ? होइन, म राख्छु, र म ह्यान्डब्यागमा मेरो आक्रोशनमा होइन। यसको संख्यामा ती धेरैले कदर गर्छन्? व्यक्तिहरू बिरूवास र केलीको बारेमा भन्छन्, तर तपाईंलाई थाहा छ, पुन: बजारमा धेरै धेरै छन्, ती दिनहरू कति “उनीहरूले कति चोटि रोज्नुपर्दछ।
कसले तपाईंको खरीद निर्णयहरूलाई प्रभाव पार्छ? म इन्स्टाग्राममा केहि प्रभावहरू अनुसरण गर्दछु, तर म मुख्यतया उनीहरूको vibe द्वारा प्रेरणा दिन्छु विशेष वस्तुहरू खरिद गर्न भन्दा। मलाई लाग्छ इन्स्टाग्रामले मलाई स to ्केत गर्दछ कि ब्यान्डहरूले ब्यान्डहरू दिइरहेका छन्, किनकि तपाईं सबैले जताततै देख्नुहुन्छ, र यसले मलाई केही चाहिंदैन, LOL चाहिन्छ।
तपाईंको किनमेलको लागि बिक्री साझेदारी सम्बन्धको उपकरण हो? म यस प्रकारको सम्बन्ध छ भन्ने एक ठूलो पर्याप्त छैन। तर मसँग ysl श्रद्धांजनको बारेमा रमाईलो कथा छ। मलाई बुटिकले बटुल्ने र त्यसलाई दाग दिने सम्झना छ। म भित्र पसेँ, यसको प्रयास गरे, यसलाई माया गर्थे, तर मलाई खर्च गर्नको लागि धेरै पैसा थियो, यद्यपि यो% 0% बन्द भए पनि। त्यसैले म गए। भोलिपल्ट म फर्केर गएँ र एउटै समान बिक्री सहयोगी, जो धेरै मीठो थिए, मलाई यो बेचेको थियो, र यो अन्तिम थियो। पाँच, छ घण्टा पछि, म BITULICY फेरि पार गरें किनकि मैले नजिकैको खाना खाएको छु, र मैले कसैलाई बोलाएको छु “मिस! म पछाडि छु “। म फर्कें, र यो समान बिक्री सहयोगी थियो, जो मलाई पछि दगुरे, किनकि उनले स्टकरूममा एउटा अन्तिम झोला फेला पारे! उनी जस्तै थिए, “म यति दुखी भएँ कि मैले तपाईंको विवरणहरू तल नचाहेको छु, र मैले पूरै दिन तपाईंलाई खोजिरहेको थिएँ।” भन्नु पर्दैन, मैले झोला किनें। यो एक राम्रो क्षण थियो।
किन तपाईं किनमेल गर्न को लागी खुसी हुनुहुन्छ, एक मात्र नयाँ अधिग्रहण गर्दै? मलाई राम्रा चीजहरू र राम्रो डिजाइन मन पर्छ। मलाई लाग्छ म धेरै भौतिक व्यक्ति हुँ! मैले यो धेरै भावनात्मक रूपमा भावनात्मक रूपमा धेरै चीजहरू पाउँदछु जुन समानताका साथ मनपर्दो मनपर्यो, यो Ikea वा celine बाट एक झोला हो। मैले सुन्दर चीजहरू प्रतिरोध गर्न गाह्रो हुन सक्छ तर मैले एक टाढाबाट प्रशंसा गर्न सिकेको छु। म घण्टाको लागि किनमेल गर्न सक्दछु र केहि खरीद गर्न सक्दिन तर मलाई यो धेरै रमाईलो लाग्छ केवल दृश्यको प्रशंसा गर्न र सायद यसको बारेमा थोरै जान्नुहोस्। यसैले मलाई अनलाइन किनमेल मनपर्दैन – किनमेलको चरम सीमा हराइरहेको छ जब तपाईं विश्लेषण र यसलाई महसुस गर्न सक्नुहुन्न।
के तपाईंले कहिल्यै महसुस गर्नुभयो कि तपाईंले स्टोर वा बुटकमा तपाईंको उपस्थिति, जातीयता वा लि gender ्गको कारणको कारण घोर सेवा प्राप्त गर्नुभयो? केहि पनि भयानक छैन, तर म युरोपमा सोच्दछु, ठुलो लक्जरी स्टोरहरूमा, केहि केसहरूमा बिक्री गर्दछ कि उनीहरूले मलाई पनि आयोगको लागि मात्र सहन गर्छन्। मलाई एउटा बिक्री साथी ज uning ्गिंग याद आयो जब मैले एउटा नजर राखें र मैले भनें, “म अब छोड्नेछु ताकि तपाईं ओछ्यानमा जान सक्नुहुन्छ।” उनले वास्तवमा उनको आँखा घुमाईन् र उनको काँधमा हर्सि हटाइन्, र भने “तपाईं कुनै पनि समय छोड्न सक्नुहुन्छ।” यो पहिलो पटक म जातीयताको अन्त्यमा पहिलो पटक होइन, र तपाईं सधैं भन्न सक्नुहुन्छ। यो पक्कै पनि एक पटक हो।
पैसा
तपाईंको झोला को लागी तिर्ने? म गर्छु।
के तपाईं आफ्नो झोला खरीदको लागि बजेट छुट्याउँछ? होइन। मैले बचतलाई पन्छाएँ र म मेरा सबै बिलहरू समयमै भुक्तान गर्छु, र त्यो यसको बारेमा हो। यति लामो समय सम्म मलाई लाग्छ कि यसले मेरो समग्र बजेट महिनाको लागि असर गर्दैन, म राम्रो छु।
ट्याबियो शीर्षकहरू
के तपाईंले कहिल्यै नक्कली किन्नुभएको छ किनकि तपाईं एक डिजाइनर आईटम वहन गर्न सक्नुहुन्न? होइन। मलाई लाग्छ कि यो किनभने म वास्तवमा स्थिति को लागी सामानहरु खरीद छैन। साथै, तपाईंलाई कहिले थाहा हुँदैन कि तपाईं के कोण गर्दै हुनुहुन्छ जब तपाईं खरीद गर्नुहुन्छ