Status Symbol: The Handbag

I never understood some women's desire to have the same designer handbag as everyone else.  I know designer purses can be viewed as status symbols, but I never really paid attention to their prices until yesterday during some girl talk.  If women are trying to use their bags to convey their socioeconomic status to other fashionistas, I might as well take a brief glance at their prices to develop a generalized awareness of purse rankings and a greater appreciation for the value of their respective trademarks.  If you want to know how the retail value of your designer bag ranks in comparison to other iconic bags, here's the list.  I looked up the prices on each retailer's website.  We're going to start with the most prestigious:

1. Hermes Birkin: starting at $8,300.  All the A-list celebrities and B-list reality stars seem to own one.

2. Chanel: $3,420

3. Proenza Schouler: $2,350

4. Bottega Veneta: $1,950

5. Balenciaga: $1,795

6. Jimmy Choo: $1,675

7. Marc Jacobs: $1,350

8. Gucci: $765

9. Prada: $695

10. Louis Vuitton: $665

11. Burberry: $575

12. Kate Spade: $245

13. Dooney & Burke: $175

14. Coach: $148

15. Longchamp: $125

My favorites in this list are the Chanel and the Balenciaga.  But I would not buy such expensive bags until after I have purchased my first house or condo.  Luckily I am not tempted at all by Longchamp, Coach, D&B, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci bags.  I find their designs to be staid and increasingly bourgeois.  

Also, I would never purchase counterfeit products.  If I cannot afford the luxury good, then I simply will not buy it or any cheap imitation of it.  When I buy luxury products, I view them as high-quality investments that I can use for years, even decades.  

Essential Shoes for Women

A well-balanced shoe collection should have each of the above shoe types.

1. flip flops - for use in the shower, by the pool, and at the beach.
2. sneakers - for exercise.  (Above: Converse Chuck Taylor)
3. flats - for everyday.  (Above: Alexander McQueen)
4. galoshes - for dryness and mobility on rainy or snowy days.  (Above: Sperry Top-Sider)
5. black pumps with a closed toe and closed heel - for interviews, the office, and parties.  (Above: Nine West)
6. peep toe stilettos - for parties, a less conservative office, and church.  (Above: Christian Louboutin)
7. wedges - for events taking place on grass.  (Above: Giuseppe Zanotti)
8. strappy stiletto sandals - for ultimate sex appeal.  (Above: Jimmy Choo)

Note:  The shoes shown above epitomize their respective shoe types.  You can easily find less expensive versions at your local malls.

Trade Dress Infringement: Jimmy Choo v. Forever 21

Dear Jimmy Choo,

Forever 21 recently infringed your trade dress by copying the product configuration of your black studded fishnet Karina booties.  The statutory test for trade dress infringement under Lanham Act §43 is satisfied, because the trade dress of the two products are confusingly similar (I was actually confused); the features of the trade dress - the studs, fishnet, and pattern - are primarily nonfunctional (because exclusive use of the features would not put competitors at a significant non-reputation related disadvantage, considering that the studs and fishnet pattern is not essential to the use or purpose of the shoe, and that the studs and fishnet pattern does not affect the cost or quality of the shoe); and the product configuration of the Karina booties have acquired distinctiveness through secondary meaning (because fashionistas including myself have come to associate the shape of the Karina design with the Jimmy Choo brand as the source of the product).  The use of this particular product configuration by Forever 21 confuses and misleads consumers familiar with high-end designer shoes such as Jimmy Choo, and it creates a substantial likelihood of confusion.  Below I have posted images comparing the $1095 Jimmy Choo black studded fishnet Karina booties and the $32.80 Forever 21 Glitterati pump.

Best wishes, if you choose to file a lawsuit against "forever-sued" Forever 21.

Sincerely,

Laura Ng
Editor-in-chief, Sartorial Editorial
2L (seeking summer law associate position), Georgia State University College of Law

  

Jimmy Choo for H&M hotness

It's no wonder I'm such a fan of the Jimmy Choo for H&M ad campaign.  Spotted: a fellow piggie!

I love the ad campaign.  Photographer, Terry Richardson, makes the entire collection look fabulous.  Below are some more photos from H&M.

Jimmy Choo for H&M

Photographer: Magnus Magnusson/H&M

Photographer: Magnus Magnusson/H&M

I know I banned myself from shopping for shoes and clothes until November 14, but I cannot wait for these stunning shoes to arrive in H&M stores in November 2009!  I am so glad the Anna Sui for Target collection does not tempt me at all.