Oh my
I guess Lanvin has its QC issues just like Chanel or Hermes
I've heard way too many horror stories about QC issues about Chanel bags in particular(the round grommet where chain is connected through the bag falling off the bag after 2 days of use was the worst I heard!), but luckily nothing has ever happened to mine.
Actually, one of my Lanvin bags(Small Partage Sac from SS08, the one that looks like two bags in one)is my workhorse, so I have been using it everyday for the past year, carrying heavy books, documents, my lunchbox on top of everything else I carry in my bag. Consequently, my work bag weighs a ton, but the bag is in immactulately good condiiton....the only difference from the day I bought it was that the leather is softer and smooshier.
And my Happy Partage MM Sac in embossed leather had been used everyday during my 2-week vacation in Canada and still looks brand-new....
So I think you and the ladies who ended up with defective bags were unlucky...for the lack of better word
I think I might have what you were considering at Barneys.....the envelope shaped Amalia bag, no? It's gorgeous and I love that I can wear it messenger style
But if I had QC issues with Lanvin, I'm not sure if I had ventured out to yet another one.....at the very least you get a refund from Barney's!
Good luck deciding, and let us know if you decided to get it