iOffer Bags, Lushfashions.com, etc. #7 (Posting Requires Reading Rules in Post #1)

[lovelovemode]

LoveLovemode Sorry for the bad quality of the bags the PS1 is realy bad but the Alexa looks nice in the group shot Up close it doesn't look that good! Did you ask Jacky for a exchange? And is the Alexa from the new batch bc he told me it will be ready tomorrow?

Hi Tigerlily, my Alexa is from the previous batch, i think. I should have gotten them last week but i've been out of town so i only had the opportunity to snatch them from the post office recently. I don't think i'll return it, it does looked cute lol. And as for the PS1, well, i considered it a dud. I might return it when i'm not busy (read: lazy)

 

[bagalicious]

Xooey- YIKES...my stomach flipped while i read your post...I'm so sorry..Oh well you're here to tell the tale right!
Muffintopp- good call on the moldy autumn

Lovelymode-There was a post a long time ago about the Jacky mulberry leather on a bag called a clipper not being right, i remember it as the member was buying it for her husband as a gift...I remember her saying that the leather was shiny and nothing like Mulberry leather

I think all GGH bag owners you should defintley not worry if YOURE NOT WORRIED, My point is I AM/WAS..
so I did something about it.
Carrying lemony GH in a group of ladies with rich GGH was a bit to nerve wracking for my blood easier to say that my HW had dulled or chipped (after enhancing) then to feel uncomfortable about it standing out like the undercooked child.
I PERSONALLY am in a circle where friends and clients have authentics and have said to me "oh look we have the same bag" while reaching for mine for whatever reason...I may be in the minority in an industry where this happens, as i said before i work with wardrobe stylists who buy and loan authentic designer clothes and handbags and shoes for TV and appearances and videos.(they are the best in the biz...they know there stuff)
I don't think the average person would know these nuances..although Xooey's incident may proove me wrong...who knows maybe she was also a fashion insider
Please mods feel free to move this to the authentic Vs replica thread, But i wanted Xooey and others to read the post as this is something that does come in to play when carrying a replica from time to time.

I say carry your GGH bags the way they are if you are not worried about bumping into someone with the same authentic bag who is a Bal expert if there a NORMAL person they will probably not know there is any difference at all.

I remember the thread that babybluestar is refering to, so how did they know that the NBF bag was a rep in the end then? i forget how the scenario played out, I remember some bal officinado do a comparasion of all the differences.

I personally carry my GH NBF'S on the streets and have no worries, No one is going to stop me and question my bags authenticity, right? HOWEVER i will not personally carry any GGH bag in a situation where I feel uncomfortable...It's all about my comfort level, not any body else's, If I am not comfotable i will not be confident..simple as that. kudos to anyone who does and is 100% confident..bravo i applaud you.
Same goes for marching into Jimmy choo with a pair of fake shoes or cartier with CZ'S on..i have some sense of pride
I much prefer carrying my rh works as a rule, no hardware and o rings and all that stuff to care about..my personal fave.B)

 

[razz]

Thats beautiful Razz

Thank you Carly

@ Razz: No problem, chica! I LOVE my raisin - but something had to give. Note: the bag will get darker. But heck, it's RAISIN. So the purple will deepen which I was okay with. It doesn't feel oily, but I'm letting it sit, stuffed with about five pairs of sweatpants!

I hear ya about Raisin! NO problem about Raisin getting darker. I actually love the deep dark shade it turns when it's wet with leather care products. I like you idea about stuffing it with sweatpants.

Vitamin E and lanolin are also used for softening baseball gloves, BUT does not have any scent like neatsfootoil nor darken it whatsoever. i applied it twice on my raisin work and it did wonders. you can find it at your local drugstore

Thanks for the tip chicadee! Adding that my grocery list.

I've been taking a lot of pics of my Raisin Work in various stages of leather conditioning and will post when it's finally ready to come out of the shop

 

[razz]

razz - I can totally understand your love for your Sang GSH baby . I have one too and every time I pass *her* by my eyes get catched by such a beauty . She's like a platinum ruby/pigeon's blood ring...or a sterling silver spoon in a cup of black cherry sorbet...didn't have a sorbet by hand (nor a ruby ring ) so...

very useless pic by me ...

Oh Giulia that pic is INCREDIBLE!!! What a great shot. You're so right about the color description.

Speaking of black cherry, I sure wish T&D would do another run of that or some sort of maroon or burgundy.

razz - I really love your Sang GSH baby...the color is TDF wooooooow.....i want one
enjoy it hun

Thank you totah! I didn't realize how much I'd love this color until this bag arrived. You NEED a Sang bag in your life too!

 

[razz]

I don't think enhancing it makes it look more authentic because I think the shine is what's lacking in T&D's GGH (on some bags, not all) rather than it being a color difference. If anything, I'd say finding a way to clear coat it with something purely for shine would have the best outcome!

razz: LOVE your black PT! The leather indeed looks wonderful and so silky and smooshy!

Thank you BBS

I definitely have to agree about the whole shine thing. I don't have any GGH, but comparing my NBF GSH to auth Bal GSH, the auth palladium plated hardware being shiner does make the tone appear a bit darker. So I imagine the shine issue would hold true for gold as well of course.

I plan to experiment with some different things for shine and will of course post back any findings. This isn't an attempt to make the bag look more authentic, I just like shiny hardware. I use polish, a Dremel and a buffer bit on the hardware of my auth bags when the hardware looks dull or needs a cleaning. Same goes for jewelry of course.

Easy Electroplating kits anyone lol?http://www.caswellplating.mobi/kits/plugnplate.htm

 

[socaligurl80]

BBS I totally agree with you. Also, posting your face, facebook, blog, website all over this thread will not help. After all, this is a fashion forum, NOT a replica forum and we are a tiny minority in this huge community.


I'm sure a lot of stylists frequent this place. Maybe not necessarily THIS thread but who knows?

 

[bagalicious]

BBS I totally agree with you. Also, posting your face, facebook, blog, website all over this thread will not help. After all, this is a fashion forum, NOT a replica forum and we are a tiny minority in this huge community.


I'm sure a lot of stylists frequent this place. Maybe not necessarily THIS thread but who knows?

excellent point...i wish i had of thought of that a year ago
But you're absolutely right

RAZZ- you found an electroplating kit!!!! are you going to try it? wow you mean business try it on a spare first (do you have any?) I have 2 GSH + GGH if you want i can send them to you for practise run...pm me if you're seriously going to try it.

 

[razz]

I do not know how the lady could tell my NBF Black GGH City's a fake, but I like to think that it was due to the (poor) leather quality of that batch. I bought it in late 2008.

As much as we like to think no one can tell an NBF apart from the real deal, that is not true, as I've found out first-hand.

I think the bags have improved tremendously over the years in terms of quality and detailing. In 2008 were the bales still squared off? That's what got Nicole Richie busted for carrying a rep lol. Back then, the O-rings were larger too right? I've read though almost all of the past ioffer threads and recall a few inaccurate details that could have been the givewaway which have since been corrected.

Even with the improvements there are still little details that are off, but someone would have to be very close and staring quite a bit. That's why in the authentication threads they always say, "can you ask the seller for a clear, close up picture of the bales and rivets?" because an overall shot of the bag won't suffice.

 

[babybluestar]

I remember the thread that babybluestar is refering to, so how did they know that the NBF bag was a rep in the end then? i forget how the scenario played out, I remember some bal officinado do a comparasion of all the differences.

Actually, that's not the case. I referred to more than one thread and in each, it was a member who owned NBFs that "outed" the bag. With the VD GGH Day it was the owner herself because she had bought the NBF off ebay thinking it was auth. Since she knew NBF AND had an authentic GGH Day to compare it to, she could tell it was fake. SHE NEVER MENTIONED THE GGH BEING OFF. She determined it was an NBF by other details (already mentioned by ame_sparkle).

In the other thread I was referring to, members on THIS thread were talking about the bag (that was on tpf being gushed over) and said "That's an NBF!!" and only AFTER this were their "experts" aware that it was a rep. Again, the GGH WAS NOT MENTIONED. There are still 4 pages of gushing over how beautiful the bag is (it was "outed" in a different area of tpf).

Both times it was people who owned NBF bags who caught it...not anyone who only knows authentics.

To me, the crazy handles on B&S' WE are a much bigger giveaway of a fake than the imaigned or real color difference in GGH so I guess everyone has things that bother them on reps and maybe they're oblivious to the rest of the flaws.

All I know is that the people on this thread who know the most about Bal and carry them in ALL sorts of settings (including places with more celebrities than NYC) are pretty much cool with GGH and don't see a big difference. Because of that, and that I PERSONALLY don't see a big difference, I'm not worried. And my closest friends know I carry reps and would never judge me for it... I'm certainly not going to waste energy and time trying to impress them with my fake bags...life's too short and I have too many things to do.



xooey: I remember back when you first posted about that rude woman and what she said. I remember you were a woman on a mission after that and conditioned the bag till there was no more shine! When I tell people not to worry about their bag being spotted as fake, I'm picturing them carrying an NBF with luscious leather... If my bags are shiny, I condition them before I take them out..I hate the shine anyway. I'm NOT saying "You should have known" or anything like that! I just think there are probably some NBFs that aren't as good as others (like some older batches where colors were off, etc). The majority of NBFs aren't going to be called out... But your story is a cautionary tale now and you are a saint for not using the bag as a weapon.

socali: Exactly!!! Nothing here is private!! Not even PMs really... Putting your whole life out there will definitely up your chances of being called out...
I think if I'm ever "outed" with my NBF, it will most certainly be by another NBF lover who recognizes T&D's work!! And that would actually be kind of fun!!

 

[razz]

I think if I'm ever "outed" with my NBF, it will most certainly be by another NBF lover who recognizes T&D's work!! And that would actually be kind of fun!!

I would be thrilled if this ever happened! We'd probably end up talking as long as possible and have a great time.

 

[xooey]

I believe T&D made improvements to their Giant HW bags starting late last year. There was an excellent list of differences between the auth Bals vs NBFs, compiled by a fellow TFS member. I think it's somewhere in one of the old threads.

I'm alright with the minor details being off. Leather quality is of utmost importance to me and though my Argent GSH City has the wrong sized O-rings, I still received compliments that it's a beautiful bag. And that's because it really is. ;p

---------------------------------------------------------------

babybluestar, your post made me smile. You do remember my post, eh? The bag is no longer as shiny as before but sadly, no amount of conditioning can compensate for the thin, flimsy leather. Actually, you were right that I should have conditioned the bag *before* bringing it out. I didn't know any better, as it was my first ever rep bag and I thought I could get away with it. Now I know better!

To all ladies who've bought black bags recently from T&D, pls don't get all paranoid about your bags. From what I can see, the leather quality has improved A LOT and looks nothing like my GGH bag.

 

[bagalicious]

babybluestar- thanks for claryfying.
And i also remember (only to well) how a lot of the so called members/experts on the other forum were gushing and commenting and complimenting about NBF bags....only until a outing..I assume form someone who knew it was a NBF bag did the S**T hit the fan.
And i agree with you, we all have our own pet peaves..some are handles, some are front panels, some are zippers and some is HW.
I actually sold that weekender, and i thank you for pointing out the flaw to me. My friend who bought it knew it was a rep and had no interest in hearing about the differences between auth and reps.
I love the quality of the NBF bags, and I love the boys (even tho i have no idea who they are) There bags are the best as far as reps go...totally agree. I carry mine and love them all...Please don't think i don't love them I just do not carry them in certain situations that's all.

 

[Valkyrie]

I don't think enhancing it makes it look more authentic because I think the shine is what's lacking in T&D's GGH (on some bags, not all) rather than it being a color difference. If anything, I'd say finding a way to clear coat it with something purely for shine would have the best outcome! Also, PM me for links to two TPF threads where NBF GGH bags passed as auth. I don't know when NBF's GGH started getting knocked so much but I promise you it's not that bad!!

razz: LOVE your black PT! The leather indeed looks wonderful and so silky and smooshy!



GiuliaVP: Your sang GSH is SO lovely! Your silver HW looks really shiny and bright! I love the cherry red color of the bag too!


In case anyone else was wondering what the new anthracite looks like and didn't know where to find it (bc I didn't at first ), it's back on the page where NBF's ipad covers are posted and it's the one that looks almost black! I already put in my order!!

wow you're quick, did they say anything about when they expect anthracite? and when do they expect galet?

I agree with you that it shows lot of similarity to argent

 

[uiggu]

amethyst and babybluestar: 100% agreed with everything you both said on the GGH fandangle. Worrrrd! <3

shelleybean: Omg, that's so sweet of you to have remembered my quest for Chanel for school XD! I'll definitely check out the bag you mentioned. I currently have an order from Catty including an LV Neverfull with the wonderful status 'Handed Over to Customs'... ; So once (if?) that clears (it'll be my first Catty order to Japan), I'll think about my next order from Jacky!

All the lovely Sang bags are lovely The leather really is gorgeous, isn't it? I stroke it while reading when sitting on the train! I'll post pics of my nicely broken-in Sang GGH Midday.

Coley: VERT D' EAU PICS S'IL VOUS PLAIT!! <3

 

[lovelovemode]

uiggu, please i want to see some modeling pics!

i just emailed Jacky about the yellow PS1, will update again tomorrow.

 

[uiggu]

Sorry, missed the edit window >_<

shelleybean: Was this the messenger you were talking about? This one's called the Large Black Nature Flap, apparently. It's a beaut! I just don't know if I could pull off that much Chanel. I am only 160cm and on a scholarship, after all What do you think?!

Pic courtesy of TPF

 

[razz]

RAZZ- you found an electroplating kit!!!! are you going to try it? wow you mean business try it on a spare first (do you have any?) I have 2 GSH + GGH if you want i can send them to you for practise run...pm me if you're seriously going to try it.

I really might look into these! I do lots of my own DIY jewelry, earrings, pendants, bracelets, etc. and have always been interested in plating my "creations" lol. I have a great little local jeweler down the street who plates stuff for me for $5-$10 in white gold when I really want a piece to look super finished, so I've never seriously considered getting my own machine. I also thought they were much, much more expensive...and of course the industrial grade ones are. The one on the site where I order some of my jewelry settings is around $500 and that's not including the solutions. For $40-$50 though I'd get one of those machines for personal jewelry use...and of course for NBFs too

Anyway, after watching that video and him using the fine tip brush/pen, it seems like maybe you wouldn't have to remove the hardware? Eh then again it looks like you have to ground the pen to what your plating in some way. I think I'll just run one of my NBF's down to the jewelry store and ask the guys if the hardware can be plated without removal. I will report back!

Thank you for volunteering one of your bags for the experiment. I might take you up on it!

 

[amethyst_sparkle]

xooey - omg! you poor thing! i can only imagine how that made you feel! so so so sorry you had to experience that! i am happy, though, that you didn't go bat**** crazy and immediately sell off all your gorgeous nbfs or let it prevent you from enjoying new ones! if it's any consolation to you, that woman has absolutely no life. in fact, not only does she not have a life (and needs a hobby), she is boring, vapid, and indescribably shallow to have spent her entire dining experience staring at and making a mental checklist/comparison of, your bag. cue Kathy Griffin: ♪♫ D-List!!!! ♫♪ that's certifiable d-list behaviour. a-listers certainly don't stare at other people's belongings, and definitely not while they're eating
so this woman, you know she was waffling back and forth in her mind, hemming and hawing, trying to convince herself one way or another that she knew without a shadow of a doubt that what she was staring at was 'fake'. and because of this, you know that she must be insufferably materialistic, has zero personality or conversation skills, is certainly not interesting on her own merits, and definitely has no charm or charisma...because if she had, she would have been so enthralled and into what she and her dinner partner were discussing and eating that everything and everyone around her would simply fade into the background!

and you know what? i'd rather be accused of carrying a fake bag than be caught having no life anyday

i agree with you and bbs about the shiny leather being the giveaway but there is certainly no blame or shame for that here girly yes, bbags are known for looking like leather. really yummy leather. and sheen is definitely different from shine. shine is usually associate with plastic...vinyl...pvc, etc. i know i don't want my black rh city looking like a fresh-out-the-box hefty trash bag. i like my leather bags to look like leather. veins, distressing, chewy puffy pillowy goodness--yum!! if i wanted a smooth and shiny bag, i'd sport one of those plastic totes all the tweens wear

anyway, as a model/actress and writer, my workplace environments are greatly varied. i can assure you that the photographer, director, camera operator, grip, gaffer, assistant, hair and make up artists, other models/talent, etc would never be so unprofessional or uncouth as to stare at, talk about, or question the authenticity of your belongings. same goes for when i meet with my editor in her office. no copywriters, editors, managers, agents, assistants, etc are stopping what they're doing (i.e. working) to scope out some bag's hardware placement. whether on set or in an office setting, it's a place of business. people are busy working, doing their job, focused on what they're being paid to do and doing it like a professional. like most work environments, it's fast-paced, productive, and driven by deadlines. time is money and they certainly don't have any to waste on mindless crazy hardware thimble color talk


so really, truly, seriously girls...there is no need to worry about the gold hardware or the silver hardware. don't let someone else's real or imagined fears of tone or shine dictate your life...or you'll go crazy too! remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires! enjoy YOUR bag, gh or not!

 

[bagalicious]

I really might look into these! I do lots of my own DIY jewelry, earrings, pendants, bracelets, etc. and have always been interested in plating my "creations" lol. I have a great little local jeweler down the street who plates stuff for me for $5-$10 in white gold when I really want a piece to look super finished, so I've never seriously considered getting my own machine. I also thought they were much, much more expensive...and of course the industrial grade ones are. The one on the site where I order some of my jewelry settings is around $500 and that's not including the solutions. For $40-$50 though I'd get one of those machines for personal jewelry use...and of course for NBFs too

Anyway, after watching that video and him using the fine tip brush/pen, it seems like maybe you wouldn't have to remove the hardware? Eh then again it looks like you have to ground the pen to what your plating in some way. I think I'll just run one of my NBF's down to the jewelry store and ask the guys if the hardware can be plated without removal. I will report back!

Thank you for volunteering one of your bags for the experiment. I might take you up on it!

haha I didn't volunteer one of my bags razz..just a spare thimble in both colors.
Amethyst-- good for you...I like your confidence I'm still gonna use my authentics and slip in a NBF when the time is right...for sure. I don't think any of my colleagues or clients will ever acuse my bags of not being real, as NBFS are amazing reps, Not like that lady who whispered loud enough for Xooey to hear, i would have turned green!

 

[razz]

remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires!

Oh my gosh That whole post was great and this totally caught me off guard. I literally have tears rolling down my face right now from laughing so hard. I so wasn't ready.

Xooey I am SO sorry you had to experience that. Amethyst made so many great points. Thanks for taking the time to make a post like that. No many are even capable of expressing all those thoughts, but who really take the time these days?