The Long Haul: Youtube Handbag Reviews and Reveals

My latest addiction online is watching Youtube haul videos.  I've explained in a previous article all about haul videos.  If you didn't read it, a haul video is basically where a consumer talks about what they recently bought.  Many of these videos give you an insiders view into products such as handbags and makeup.  Most of these videos give you a close up look of the products and you can see details that often websites do not show.  For example, the vlogger will show an extreme close-up of a handbag's interior and small things such as pockets and the leather.  Vloggers often review their new products giving both positive and negative thoughts.  For instance if a sales clerk was rude to them during their shopping spree, vloggers will let you know.  Hopefully boutiques and department stores watch these videos to gain better knowledge of their products and how to treat customers.  Not only are these videos fun to watch, but they provide a wealth of insider information.  Usually vloggers review popular brands and products that everyone is dying to get their hands on.  Beauty and fashion vloggers are especially popular and their videos are often watched hundreds of thousands of times.

Why have these Youtube videos become so popular?  My theory is that consumers relate better to an honest review from someone they identify with.  For example if an editor at a famous fashion magazine talks about a product, chances are they receive a kick back.  However, that is changing in the online world as well.  Popular vloggers now receive a hefty payment for "reviewing" a product.  They receive the product and they also accept payment to discuss it with their followers.  But if you click around enough, you can still find vloggers that are honest in their reveals and reviews and many of them our normal consumers like ourselves and they do not receive payment for making their videos.  These are the Youtubers I prefer, the ones that do not receive any sort of compensation from companies.  They give really honest reviews and I thoroughly enjoy watching what they bought.  And I think other consumers are like me as well, they want to hear honestly what someone thinks of a product, because let's face it, who gives a negative review when they receive payment for said product?

Some of my favorite haul videos include handbags.  I'm a handbag addict and I love watching all of the many videos related to them.  The haul reveals really give you an insiders view about a new handbag on your wish list.  I've had one of the most amazing designer handbags on my radar for a while and yesterday I watched a handbag reveal video on Youtube.  It looked even better than I'd imagined.  The vlogger showed several close ups of the exterior, bottom, and interior.  I sort of wish I hadn't watched it as I now want this handbag even more.  In fact, I now want more than one of this brands designer handbags.  I can think this vlogger for fueling my handbag addiction.  Do you like to watch Youtube reviews?  Which ones are your favorites?

Moderate Luxury

The term luxury is thrown around quite a bit. Open any fashion glossy or business magazine and you can spot ‘luxury’ literally hundreds of times.  And not to take away the importance of the word, but it’s been used so much that it’s very watered down.  What does luxury even mean anymore?  Is it tangible or intangible?  For the sake of my industry and this particular article, we relate luxury to fashion in terms of tangible, lust worthy products.  Over the past few years especially, luxury has changed in the world of fashion.  But it still means something different to different people.

Many consumers believe luxury is all about a price tag.  The higher the price, then the product must be more luxurious.  However, that is not necessarily the case.  We have seen several examples of expensive handbags that cost over $2,000 are not well made and have shoddy craftsmanship.  Consumers from all generations are increasingly starting examine to see if a product is well made or if it’s cheap.  Not all shoppers are fooled by a high price tag.  They know that just because it’s expensive, doesn’t mean it’s necessarily worth it.  Because we live in the digital age, people can buy nearly anything they want from the comfort of their own home.  This equals the playing field for many so-called luxury brands.  It used to be that the shopper had to go to the brands boutique to buy the product, now they can simply view it with the click of a mouse.  The Internet in some ways is a great equalizer.   Products in every price range are available to purchase online.  You no longer have to worry about looking as if you fit in when you go to a store or boutique to buy something.

I believe luxury is a well crafted product that will last for many years to come.  I also believe that not all luxury products need to be priced astronomical amounts.  There is a term I do approve of called ‘moderate luxury.’  What is moderate luxury?  Moderate luxury are products that are very high quality, but don’t cost an arm and a leg.  It’s not budget luxury by any means; rather it’s fairly priced products that are luxurious.  One of the best brands that does moderate luxury is PLIA Designs.  PLIA Designs creates a range of luxury designer handbags and carryalls.  Their handbags are absolutely amazing and there is great craftsmanship that backs them up.  What’s best about a PLIA Designs handbag is that they are well priced below the $1,000 mark.  Also, not everyone is carrying them because they are constantly sold out.  It’s an exclusive range, but moderately priced for a luxury design firm.  When I carry one of my PLIA Designs handbags, I’m often stopped and asked its origins.  I love pointing them to their website.  These are luxury handbags that are beautifully created and will be a part of my wardrobe for a very long time.  I can get behind moderate luxury if its products look like this.

The Cult Favorite Handbag Label

Every so often I get wind of a favorite cult fashion label.  It's not that I always need to purchase what is popular or what fashion insiders love, but I do like to know these sorts of things.  As a buyer for a well known boutique in Paris, it's important for me keep my ear to the ground and my eyes wide open.  After all, my customers depend on me not only for the latest and greatest, but for new labels that truly deliver an amazing fashion punch.  Our customers, many of whom have become great friends over the years, don't want to look like fashion victims.  Their lives demand a wardrobe that is wearable, but creative at the same time.  They are women with their hands in many amazing endeavers;  several are lawyers, a few work in fashion, and others work with tech startups.  It's in their best interest to look put together without wearing a label from head to toe.  Many of our customers have stated they need looks that are easy to put together, but have an element of personalized fashion as well.  Translate:  They don't want a boring corporate look, but they can't look like Lady GaGa either.

Our boutique is more of a mini department store.  It takes up half a block and is well stocked over 4 floors.  The below ground level houses a cafe, small wine bar, and a newsstand with magazines from all over the globe.  This is the heart of the boutique and is packed daily with people stopping in before work for coffee and customers grabbing a wine at the end of the day after shopping the floors above.  The first floor houses one of the most beautiful beauty spaces I've ever seen.  And I'm not stating that because I'm biased.  The combination of marbled floors and walls with chrome and steel trim is jaw dropping.  It's not overpowering, but it's slick and gorgeous providing the best backdrop for shoppers to explore some of their favorite beauty brands.  I'm fairly certain in my past life I was a beauty editor.  This is one of my favorite floors.  I'm always searching for the perfect eye cream and treatments on a nearly weekly basis.  Most of my paycheck goes here.  These aren't normal beauty labels.  They are some of the most sought after in the world and extremely hard to find.  

The second floor is probably our most popular.  It's the accessories and shoe salons.  In fact, it was rated the number one accessories assortment in Paris.  That's a major honor as we beat many well known and famous department stores.  We have customers fly to Paris just so they can shop our boutique.  It's amazing actually what loyal and devoted customers we are able to serve.  I am lucky that I get to see many of our devoted customers on the accessory floor as this is my buying department.  My main goal is to always stock the floor with beautiful accessories.  From those brands that are well known to those that are coveted in tight knit fashion circles.  I have been with this department for over ten years and I love it.  It doesn't even feel like work and I've made so many incredible friends.  I've also been lucky to make friends with some of the designers behind the labels we cary.  The accessories floor is always buzzing with activity and it's my job to make sure it's well stocked with the best and brightest in the industry.

One of my best friends is a fashion editor and we agreed to meet for dinner one night after work.  Not only did I want to catch up with her, but she wanted to introduce me to the new handbag label that already had a cult following.  Finally Friday evening came around and we met at a nearby café.  It's a world famous eatery and great for celeb and famous faces spotting.  I found her back in the corner.  Our favorite table and perfect for people watching.  She carried the most amazing designer handbags and it looked vaguely familiar.  As we sat down, chatter took us directly to fashion.  No surprise there.  We are best friends, but we also love fashion and love to talk about it.  She told me this is what she wanted to discuss-  the new handbag label with the cult status.

Her handbag is by PLIA Designs and they make a dreamy line of designer handbags.  I immediately knew this was a line the boutique needed and the bags would instantly sell out.  Their satchels were spot on and incredibly fashion forward while still being classic.  My friend said all of the editors were carrying designer handbags by PLIA Designs and they loved their satchel bag.  The boutique would be packed with customers once they got wind of PLIA Designs and their marvelous designer handbags.

Our Favorite Designer Handbag Label is Coming to London

This morning I read some of the most exciting news in a while:  PLIA Designs is coming to London.  In my in-box this morning was a fresh press release from PLIA Designs head of PR, Dante.  He was reaching out to all of his fashion colleagues and magazine editors informing us that a new PLIA Designs shop-in-shop would debut on the accessories floor in Harrods at the first of March.  I was so excited that I couldn’t finish reading the rest of my emails.  That gave me plenty of time to plan my trip across the pond.  PLIA Designs is renowned for their aesthetic and quality.  And compared to other designer labels, they are ultra affordable and always stalwart classical style with a twist.  You will never have to pay two thousand dollars for one of their handbags nor does the label aspire to those sort of exuberant prices.  It’s a democratic designer label that is available to everyone.  With PLIA Designs, nothing is in or its out; rather it’s all about how you carry their handbags.  You can team up one of their satchel handbags with your favorite moto jacket.  Their sleek lambskin Milton clutches carry you from day to evening.  These beautiful clutch bags are large, but not overly so.  The square shape fits perfectly under your arm and with the detachable shoulder chain, you can also wear it cross body.  There have been many occasions where I carry my Milton clutch to work and then go straight from the office to a cocktail party.  It’s the best clutch I’ve carried that transitions so seamlessly from day to night.  Londoners are going to be in for a huge surprise with PLIA Designs hits Harrods.  Many British fashionistas may already own one of their handbags, but there is nothing like seeing them close up in a department store.  Attached to the press release was an invite to the new shop-in-shop.  (As an aside, I’m so glad they didn’t use the term ‘pop-up.’  That term is so overplayed it needs to be put to rest.  I think many of you reading this will agree.)  I immediately emailed Dante back and told him I would make the grand opening and that I was already planning my outfits in my head.  Seriously, who doesn’t plan their outfits far in advance?  

Three weeks later I booked my flight to London.  It just so happened I needed to be there a few days later to interview two new designers debuting at London Fashion Week.  I’m a huge fan and advocate of British design and talent.  There is a freshness and a stronger will to take risks compared to New York and Paris.  I like seeing designers take risks in the fashion world.  It’s so stagnate when everything stays the same.  After all, the beauty of fashion is that so many different styles exist and people gravitate towards different ways of dressing.  It would be boring if everyone wore the same outfit and hate the same taste and style.  Fashion is about exploration and discovering.  No doubt Londoners will love discovering PLIA Designs.  Their edited collections of designer handbags are appropriate with colorful, over the top creations and also with paired down business basics.  

That same afternoon after booking my flight, my boss asked if I’d like to also cover the opening party for PLIA Designs.  Of course I jumped on the chance.  I work for an entertainment television network and I knew my viewers would love seeing this handbag label that is carried and adored by celebrities like Charlize Theron and Kim Kardashian.  I knew Dante would love the publicity and let me bring my camera crew to the festivities.  It looked like I was gearing up to be rather busy whilst in London.  But that is fine.  I love mixing work with travel and a side dish of fun.  Because I’d mentally laid out my wardrobe, I already knew what I was going to pack and I laid many of those outfits aside.  That’s how I like to back for work and vacation.  I like to lay out everything I will wear and that way the hard part is over.  Except for putting the items in a suitcase, the packing is nearly complete.

Over the weekend I prepped and studied up on PLIA Designs.  Actually, there wasn’t much studying as I know a lot about the brand.  PLIA Designs makes some of the worlds most beautiful and coveted designer handbags.  These designer handbags have a waiting list in many department stores and boutiques.  I knew there would be a long line snaking its way through Harrods for PLIA’s new shop-in-shop.  The world of PLIA Designs designer handbags is made up of craftsmanship, beautiful leathers and fabrics and most of all ultra-amazing leather goods and bags that are simply irresistible.  I could not wait for the grand opening party.  Keep reading for my reporting from London.  I may even be able to post video.

The New 'It' Bags

Normally I don't pay attention to the popular handbags everyone is carrying.  Not because I don't like fashion, but I find it boring when every fashionista carries the same bag.  Don't you like variety in your wardrobe?  Do you really want to carry the exact handbag as three of your BFF's?  Some people do and that is their choice.  I don't begrudge them.  I see the allure of an 'It' bag and why fashionables are drawn to them.  Often I am even drawn to them.  Not often, but sometimes.  The world of fashion often evolves at a very fast pace while still maintaining a sense of the past and craftsmanship.

I love PLIA Designs.  They are a line that makes a beautiful range of designer handbags, leather goods, satchels, and purses.  Also they design some of the cutest designer iPhone cases I have ever seen.  Their range of satchels has reached an almost cult-like status.  Style stars are captured with their PLIA Designs satchels.  So are bloggers, editors, and Instagrammers.  Editors especially love their PLIA satchels.  They carry them to work, use as travel bags, and even carry them for travel.  I have been to many fashion shows where  all of the editors are carrying PLIA Designs designer handbags.  After seeing these satchels over and over, I caved and purchased one.

Let me tell you, I now see why this bag has turned into such an 'It' bag.  PLIA Designs courier satchels have a timeless allure.  They are individually handcrafted by their full time leather craftsman.  When I took my new PLIA Designs handbag from the box, I was totally blown away.  I couldn't believe the quality.  The leather is beyond beautiful.  I could tell that it was handcrafted.  I had gone down the 'It' bag road and there was no going back.  Not with a new handbag like this.  

PLIA Designs courier satchels come in three sizes.  Their original size is their largest.  It is the size I ordered.  It's an amazing handbag that is incredibly roomy.  Yet even when you stuff nearly all of your life inside, it's still not heavy.  And what I love is it fits my laptop.  Not only does it fit my laptop inside, but it also protects it.  It's one of those gorgeous designer handbags that will never go out of style.  The second size is called the small Reid satchel and finally the third size is called the Pixie.  The Pixie has yet to be released, but I will be purchasing one once it is.  I can't believe I've fallen for an 'It' bag, but I have!

PLIA Designs French Toast

Put a Spring in Your Step with the PLIA Designs French Toast Tote Collection

Spring is a time for renewal and new beginnings. Every year in preparation for the arrival of Spring I treat myself to two new designer bags. Top of my list this year will be a tote from the PLIA designs French Toast Tote collection. I have seen it on the shoulders of some of my fellow fashion editors, and there is no doubt that I have had a ‘coup de foudre.’

All of the totes in the collection are hand stitched and handcrafted. I have already purchased several designer handbags in the past from this bespoke designer and I know that all of the bags are of superior quality. What’s great about these designer bags is that as with the best wines they only get better with age! All of the totes have leather handles and leather trim pockets. Of course in my line of work its essential that I stay connected to the cat walk and that I have a tech friendly carryall with me. The French Toast Collection fits the bill perfectly!

All of the totes have an interior smart phone pocket as well as a sleek iPad pocket which means that I can whip out my iPad whenever I need to. I often have to fit a million things into one day and can be seen hopping in and out of cabs, as well as running to meetings. This means that whatever is in my bag gets subjected to a lot of bumps and mishaps, as running in heels is a recipe for disaster! However, one thing that is great about these totes is that the quilted interior of high performance nylon keeps the contents of the tote, reassuringly safe.

There are five totes to choose from in the French Toast Tote Collection. There is no doubt however that my choice for this Spring will be the Capri Tote as I have fallen in love with its simple elegance. The black and white stripes on linen jute on this designer bag tote epitomizes the freshness that Spring is all about. PLIA designs always knows how to get the balance just right, and the Capri Tote is no exception. It is wonderfully practical yet at the same time has that luxurious feel to it, which is of course a ‘must have,’ for the most sought after, best designer handbags.

Just to show how we all have different tastes, my delightful friend Beatrice who works in fashion, fell in love with the Cadiz French Toast Tote. She loves the fact that as with all of the totes in the collection it fits her 15 “MacBook Pro. She says that the vibrant colors on the custom print linen/ jute canvas, remind her of fiesta time in Seville where she is from, In fact she says  that just carrying it puts a smile on her face. We saw each other over the holidays and she ‘confessed,’ that she has added another PLIA designs tote to her collection, the Pewter Tote, which is ideal for the evening. It seems she is getting addicted to them!

So my fashion tip for this month is that if you want some renewed energy for this Spring, forget the carrot, ginger and beetroot juice, a PLIA designs tote is just as effective! These totes are destined to be one of the 2014 designer handbags successes.

Want it: PLIA Designs New Small Handbag

I’ve been on a PLIA Designs kick for quite some time, and just as I thought my obsession begins to subside, I found a bag that makes it flare back up. I’ve gone back and forth trying to decide if I like the PLIA Designs small Reid satchel in Jester, which is the most recent hit from the brand, and I have finally decided I want it.

With the shape of the bag matching the original Reid Satchel that we all know, the small Reid is just like its name.  It’s a smaller design of the original silhouette that is now beloved by many.  It’s the sort of design and shape that becomes a classic over time much like Hermes famous Birkin.  Even though less in size, it has the same roomy interior with the bottom sewn down and lots of pockets that we have come to expect.  When you close the bag up, the shape remains the same.  The front straps are snugger than the original size and I really like that.

This exact version of the bag is the one I find myself wanting this Monday. The supple calf hot pink leather is offset with black leather on the front flap, handles, and piping.  We all know PLIA Designs bags have their trim take center stage. The black keeps this bag fashionable and wearable while the bright pink body helps this bag jump out and grab attention. I am all for attention-grabbing accessories, and this bag will do just that. Price is around $310. I shop for my PLIA Designs bags with the lovely folks at PLIA Designs (ask for Sophie and tell her Lauren

sent you!)

And now that I have introduced the colors of the bag, let’s specifically talk about the PINK body.  It’s bold.  It’s audacious.  And it possibly may be an annoying shade of pink to many.  But I do know there are many fashionistas who would take the risk with this bag and I can see why.  Though it may be incredibly bright, it has a fun and whimsical energy to it.  It’s not everyday a designer goes outside the confines of muted colors to craft a designer handbag like this.  If you are still a little scared of the brightness yet find yourself loving it at the same time, remember you can pair it with a very laid back color palette so that the bag is the main show.  It’s not the sort of handbag that needs to compete with many colors.  If you wear this designer handbag with too many colors, it will come across like a crazy carnival exploded.

I adore the sleekness and glazed finish of the leather, and while the bag is a smaller update of the first Reid satchel, it remains close to the original. I continue to lean towards satchels new go-to.  Both of the Reid satchels have detachable cross body straps.

This bag speaks to me on many levels and I want nothing more than to add it to my collection and make a special place for PLIA Designs in my closet.  Between the structure, the different combinations of materials and the shape, I really think this PLIA Designs handbag is a great staple for fall and winter.http://www.pliadesigns.com