In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re checking in with a coffee shop owner in her mid-thirties coming to us all the way from Romania. Back in the early stages of building her collection, this confessor fell in love with a Balenciaga City Bag, which she was determined to make hers, saving everyone penny and living off of fast food for 3 months to be able to purchase it. This confessor loves bags, but admits that she doesn’t get overly attached to them, which allows her to keep her collection rotating, selling off bags she falls out of love with and acquiring new ones as she sees fit. She’s amassed a collection of over 20 bags and cites Chanel and Hermès as the most important brands in her collection. A lover of exotics, this business owner’s next purchase will be a croc Birkin. Read the full CC now and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 34
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Occupation: Coffee Shop Owner
Industry: Coffee
Salary: $150,000
Household Income: $300,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? No
How many bags do you own? 21
What bags are in your collection? Gucci, Hermes, Dior, YSL, Givenchy, Prada, Chanel, LV, Dolce&Gabbana, Valentino
How much is your collection worth? $60,000
What is your most expensive bag? Chanel 2.55 in Crocodile blue leather
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? Hermes Birkin, Chanel 2.55 in blue Crocodile leather, Chanel 2.55 in python leather, Lady Dior, Gucci Dyonisus in orange python leather
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I got my first designer bag at 18, it was a Balenciaga City in black leather.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I am planning to buy a Hermes Birkin 25 in red crocodile leather. For this summer, I will buy a LV Onthego or a Dior Booktote.
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? I don’t get attached to bags, usually I sell them when I get bored of them. This way I always have new bags in my collection. I also don’t tend to wear a bag for too long, so they look like new when I sell them.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Definitely a bag is a status statement. For me, bags have the same value as jewelry, they help create a memorable first impression the moment I walk into a room.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Whenever I see one that I like.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I check the online stores on a daily basis, but nothing compares to the experience of shopping in a luxury store. Becuse in my country there aren’t many high-end stores, I visit Chanel, Miu Miu, Hermes and Dior every time I go abroad.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I like to check the Vestiaire Colective site on a regular basis, because there is a high chance to find there a pre-loved collectible handbag.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I sell the old bags when I get bored of them, as I don’t like to keep seeing them in my dressing room, after I stop wearing them. I use the money I get for them to buy new ones, but I don’t depend on selling them in order to make a new purchase.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Yes, not only once I bought a bag due to social pressure. I tend to buy a new bag whenever I have to attend a social event, whenever I travel to an exotic destination. Sometimes, even a casual chat with my friends regarding a bag can make me decide on a purchase.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Absolutely not. They get out of trend or I end up getting bored on them in one or two years. Still there are a few models that last the test of time but I wouldn’t consider them investments. The only bag that might be an investment in my opinion is the Hermes Birkin. If well kept, its price will only go up, even when sold as pre-loved.
Who influences your buying decisions? Me, the media, Instagram, my friends.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Sometimes they are. I tend to do some shopping after receiving a call from a sales associate, edpecially if it’s one that has a friendly approach on inviting me to check out the new collection in a store.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? It relaxes me most of the times.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Sometimes I did, but I wouldn’t say it happened often. Of course everybody in boutiques treated me better when I was wearing a designer outfit and diamond jewelry.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? My husband.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Never, I buy what I like. The bags are my only obsession in terms of fashion, so I don’t restrict myself.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? No.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No, I always show them to him, so he can share the excitement with me.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? When I was 18, I ate only McDonalds for 3 months, saving my lunch money for a Balenciaga City, which I finally bought.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Absolutely not.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Traveling is my only expensive hobby.
