Ralph Lauren woman's bag that gives me goosebumps

[MADMAX22]

Hey Ed what is barenia leather, I looked it up and have scene several different types (atleast looked that way to me) of leather that was called that but nothing to describe what it actually was.

[awharnessshop]

To my best of knowledge, Hermes makes the Birken bag right in Paris and it is hand crafted and HAND STITCHED, Louis Viutton is actually not leather... and I am not just talking about the knock offs!

I guess you can make what you want and call it what you want, just dont call it someone elses!

[Kustom]

I have a lot of respect for Ralph Lauren after I heard he donated $13 million to have "old glory" restored. That's a cool use of money.

The designer, who has been rhapsodizing about all things distressed and crackled since well before it became fashionable. "I believe in long-term things that last": broken-in saddles, split-rail fences, patched sweaters, frayed shirts — and a certain frayed flag, the Star-Spangled Banner.

Lauren believes so much in the 195-year-old icon that inspired the national anthem that 10 years ago his company, Polo Ralph Lauren, donated $13 million toward its preservation.

The flag was painstakingly cleaned by technicians by pressing 1-inch square sponges against the broad stripes and dirt-dulled stars, which stretch as wide as a highway billboard. It will be dedicated Wednesday in its newly refurbished home, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. (The total Star-Spangled Banner project, including its reconstructed gallery, cost close to $30 million.)

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/fas...uren-flag_N.htm

Steve

[esantoro]

"Barenia" is probably a term used by Hermes when they were using this leather. The RL bag referenced earlier would be considered of "Barenia" leather, which to me looks like a supple veg tanned calf or cow leather. I think this leather was more common in the 70's and is similar to a type of leather I've been looking for for a long time. It probably requires a costly tanning process.

Here is another bag of "Barenia" leather.

ed

Hey Ed what is barenia leather, I looked it up and have scene several different types (atleast looked that way to me) of leather that was called that but nothing to describe what it actually was.

Edited July 5, 2009 by esantoro

[broncobuster]

unfortunately I have to agree that people buy this stuff due to the name to brag they own one. Im sure at one time these companies in the beginning of there existance was a quality bag. unfortunately the quality goes away when quantity kicks in. Ive fixed many of the so called name brand bags n its poor quality materials. Ive fixed them shortly after purchase because its one of those bag parties n they dont want the hassle of returning it. its funny how someone will pay 100.00 n to the 1000s for a name when us lowly struggling leatherworkers can make a better quality item that will last past the credit card clearing. Id be shocked if someone actually paid me 500 to build a purse for them actually id faint. I know theres some on here that get big bucks for there stuff but unfortunately I have the bad luck curse and I have to nearly plead to get the prices i do get(cheap a** people). I keep saying someday Ill have a name-- other than zipper queen lol.

[esantoro]

The RL bag sold for $1500.

[Suze]

I have a friend who bought a "coach" bag at one of those parties

She hasn't had the reall chance to carry it becase she is on the THIRD return

The first two just about fell apart in her hands when she got it.

Quality is not in a "name"

[celticleather]

We have a 'designer' bag shop just around the corner from us, and it has proved to be a good source of repair work! We are forever replacing rivets, studs and buckles, and re-stitching seams.

I think the owner of the shop has given up on sending the bags back to the manufacturers . . . she either sends the customers to us, or brings the bags in herself.

I was in Rome recently, and took this picture on the Spanish Steps. The place was littered with 'designer' goods shops which disappeared like morning mist when the polizia walked by!

[JohnBarton]

unfortunately I have to agree that people buy this stuff due to the name to brag they own one. Im sure at one time these companies in the beginning of there existance was a quality bag. unfortunately the quality goes away when quantity kicks in. Ive fixed many of the so called name brand bags n its poor quality materials. Ive fixed them shortly after purchase because its one of those bag parties n they dont want the hassle of returning it. its funny how someone will pay 100.00 n to the 1000s for a name when us lowly struggling leatherworkers can make a better quality item that will last past the credit card clearing. Id be shocked if someone actually paid me 500 to build a purse for them actually id faint. I know theres some on here that get big bucks for there stuff but unfortunately I have the bad luck curse and I have to nearly plead to get the prices i do get(cheap a** people). I keep saying someday Ill have a name-- other than zipper queen lol.

I think that anyone that buys their "name brand" bag at a bag party is probably getting a fake bag and that would explain the lack of quality in it.