Insomniac's don't dream--think about buying things instead

The sleep schedule is all effed up. Thanks a lot 6am flight. Thanks a freakin' lot.

In other news, that book, Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster, is really excellent. I now hate Miuccia Prada--the woman. I still like the clothes. But I probably will not ever buy another Prada or Miu Miu garment again (not that I could afford to given the current state of unemployment!).

You can tell Dana Thomas, the author, loathes what Louis Vuitton has become--and forced its competitors to become--in the Arnault era. She practically says their bags are made assembly-line style in China. Apparently a lot of luxury brands have clothes and bags made in China. You knew it was always true for some brands who don't hide their "made in China" tags (ex: Marc by MJ which is cheap luxury), but apparently some brands disguise their "made in China" tags or find some loophole to get around pronouncing their products' origins.

For example, "made in China" tags are hidden deep inside an inner pocket; or "made in China" is stamped in unrecognizably small letters somewhere; or they by-pass the "M in C" altogether by having a handle for a bag lovingly "made in Italy". Even shoes fall victim to these falsehoods (I had no idea!).

Well, Ms. Thomas never explicitly says LV is hawking Chinese wares as all people involved (the Chinese manufacturers, their workers, all the brands they produce for) are under strict confidentiality agreements stating they will not disclose what goes on inside said manufacturing facility. Of course, when LV's mark-up is 13-14x cost on their bags (vs. their competitors' at 11-12x cost), you know some of that is getting made in China.

Not to poopoo the Chinese manufacturers, because let me tell ya, the "run off" from these factories--that is to say, slightly imperfect or over-produced goods--are pretty damn sweet! My dad gave me this flawless North Face bag for my upcoming backpacking trip that he got and used while he was in China for 120RMB. Compare that with $200+ USD! Also, you can find some great deals on Marc by MJ, Burberry, and so forth on Ebay all from the excesses at the manufacturers'. Be warned though: some of that stuff is legitimately illegitimate (total fakes). Let your eye for quality be the judge.

The only big name that hasn't, it seems, sinned in the eyes of Ms. Thomas is Hermes. Everything at Hermes is still individually handcrafted by trained "artisans". Of course, everything at Hermes is also depressingly expensive.

This was a long post. Anyway, read the book! A lot of its accusations you probably already knew, but its [fashion's] history is rich and fascinating.



(I admit... despite all the accusations against LV, I do want an Epi leather Alma bag... and a monogram bucket bag.... and a Damier check speedy.......... teehee; oh like you'd refuse one as a gift! Pssh)