Fashion Friday: Louie Baby....

For as long as I can remember I have always loved the finer things in life, from cloth napkins to handbags. And buying the finer things began for me with an Easter dress when I was 13 years old. It’s never been so much about the price tag but more about quality. I can identify the best made and the finest fabric from a mile away.

I was introduced to fine handbags when I was 20 by Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson, the wife of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. From the first moment I saw her Louis Vuitton luggage I knew I was hooked. I remember during Rev. Jackson's first presidential campaign after I received my first pay checked, I informed Mrs. J as I call her, that I was headed to Louis Vuitton on Wisconsin Ave in one of Washington DC's upscale shopping areas “to put my bag in layaway.” She laughed. “Really now? Well, you just go right ahead,” she chuckled. I came back to the office defeated. “Ha!” I declared. “The nerve of them!” I lamented, “Everyone has layaway!” She explained that she was going to tell me that they didn't have layaway, “But you already know everything," she said shaking her head, “I decided to let you discover on your own.”

But layaway was only a minor infraction to owning my first quality handbag. I took money out of every pay check until I had saved enough to march right back up there and walk out with my first Louie. I carried that Speedy until it met its maker. In fact, out of sentimental reasons, I still own it, all beat up at the top of my closet. That was the first of many and many more. But lately I have not been buying. I've told you all the story. My finances hit rock bottom. I even explained it in the April 2010 issue of Ebony. I found myself a year or so ago selling off my fine handbags, Louie included. I kept a few, but I sold more than I kept.

I hadn't even thought about buying a new one until I saw my friend Trey with one that I simply loved. So yesterday I made a trip to the Michigan Ave. Louis Vuitton store to take a closer look. Once I arrived, I saw one that I loved even better.

It's a perfect tote! The strap is large enough to go over your shoulder even when wearing a coat. And it is spacious! It has all the space you will ever need. Everything can fit in this bag, my knitting, a bottle of water, even my mini computer. I want it!! No harm in wanting, huh? I'm putting it on my wish list. Who knows how the tide will turn. Someone even suggested I should start a Louie Fund. *SMH*

The Delightful handbag is delightful indeed. I love the zipper details in the front. It gives a modern twist to the traditional tote. It also gives me a place to put small items like my keys that I need to quickly locate. At $1100 it is moderately priced for Louis Vuitton. That's another thing I love about their handbags, they have something for everyone.

The Artsy handbag that Trey has is still a close second. I love the size and shape. But the strap on the Delightful is more user friendly. Also this bag is $1630 for the equivalent size to the Delightful, a much better deal.

Over the years I've owned some beautiful Louis Vuitton handbags. Some of my collector's items I had to sell. I figure that it was better to sell my handbags at a fraction of the cost over being homeless or living in the dark. I'm grateful that I have had the chance to experience this luxury in my lifetime. I believe every women should.  Some women choose a fake handbag just so they can sport the LV logo. But for me it's not about the logo, it's about quality. The logo represents the quality. Honestly, I'll take a good quality leather handbag over a fake any day. Fake is a waste of money. We must move beyond the "logo syndrome." Owing a Louis Vuitton should be so much more than about the show. 

Louis Vuitton has a rich heritage. He opened his doors in 1854 in Paris. No one has been able to dethrone him as the handbag king. It is a timeless bag that is known worldwide for its craftsmanship... Yeah, Louie Baby!!