As our ‘Get the Look‘ posts become increasingly popular, BagServant has begun to wonder which designer brand actually created the original ‘IT’ bag. These days it feels as though almost every brand is simply copying one another, and the market is chock-a-block of copycat handbags that all look a like. What happened to handbag originality? And more importantly, with so many similar shaped handbags out there, who actually created the original design?
In our ‘Get the Look‘ pages we have compared high-street budget bags with top end designer handbags. The Marc By Marc Jacobs Transparent Handbag With Leather Detail, for example, is surprisingly similar to the Cynthia Transparent Satchel Bag from Boohoo. Of course in this case there is an obvious difference in quality, price and durability between the bags, but if a fashion conscious lady is looking for the perfect festival handbag for one summer only, why pay more when they can get the same look for less?
However, theses handbags are targeting different markets, it is when we discover similar priced designer brands all bringing out the same style of handbag, that we are confused. We are all now familiar with the ‘Celine’ style winged/trapeze shaped handbags that have taken over the shops in the past 12 months. But what’s the difference between the 3.1 Phillip Lim, Reek Krakoff and Valentino versions? Do consumers buy their favourite brand, the one that looks most like the real thing or opt for the best price? We find it hard to believe there is room in the market for so many copycat handbags.
The Mulberry Bayswater is another popular shape of handbag that has been copied countless times by rival brands. We recently compared it to the Salvatore Ferragamo Sookie handbag as there are undeniable similarities between the two bags. However, the Salvatore tote is actually more expensive than the Mulberry. So who is to say that just because the Bayswater is a renowned handbag that this was actually the original shaped bag? Did it in fact copy another brand to start with?
Finally, all this leaves us wondering, are any handbags original anymore? And out of all the samey shapes out there, how do we ever decide which one to pick?
We want to hear your views on the matter – tweet us @bagservant! bagservantdebate
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