In today’s 230th installment of Closet Confessionals, were checking in with an entertainment publicist from LaLa Land who has been collecting bags for over a decade. In the time since he got that first bag, an Alexander McQueen Demanta Tote, he’s built an enviable collection of bags spanning a variety of brands.
Clearly a fan of Alexander McQueen, CC 230’s collection also includes a bit of Celine, Louis Vuitton, Loewe and more. Though he’s only ever sold one bag, he’s not afraid to do so if it means getting something he’ll love more.
Like many of us, this collector’s bags hold a special place in his heart, and he states that he feels a sentimental pull towards all of them in some way or another. A smart shopper who thinks through his purchases, this CC is a relatable look into a seasoned collector’s buying process.
Read the full CC below and don’t forget to share your own with us!
Basic Bio
Your Age? 30
Your Gender Identity? Male
Where do you live? Los Angeles
What is your occupation? Publicist
What industry do you work in? Entertainment
Your annual salary? $85,000
Total Household Income? $85,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
Onto The Bags
How many bags do you own? 10
What bags are in your collection?
- Alexander McQueen Demanta Tote
- Alexander McQueen Demanta Clutch
- Alexander McQueen Studded Messenger Bag
- Alexander McQueen Heroine Tote
- Balenciaga Cagole Cylinder Bag
- Céline Classic Bag in Stingray
- Céline Seau Sangle
- Loewe Classic Puzzle in Large
- Louis Vuitton Saumur 43
- Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandoulière 55
How much is your collection worth? ~$25,000
What is your most expensive bag? Céline Classic Bag in Stingray
Do you ever regret any of your bag purchases? If so, which ones and why? Not a major regret, but I wouldn’t buy my Alexander McQueen Heroine tote again.
It’s beautiful bag and looking at it brings me joy, but it’s a shelf-candy/Olivia Pope-cosplay fantasy bag that doesn’t translate into my regular life. It’s way too formal/stuffy and clashes with my more casual style. I need a crossbody strap and it only has handles that are handheld.
I got it for a deal at the McQueen outlet, but it doesn’t have a lot of resale value to make what I paid back.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 19 and it was the Alexander McQueen Demanta Tote.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I’ve been loving the Mugler Spiral Curve 001 bag, but I’m not in a rush to buy it.
Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Yes and I already have it, I fell in love with the Celine Classic Box Bag in Stingray in 2012 and got it second-hand ten years later!
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? I feel like all of my bags hold some form of sentimental value. I remember the whole journey of how I fell in love with the bag and where/when I acquired it. Most of them are also tied to some personal/career milestone because buying them was how I chose to reward myself.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Not really, I get compliments on them but that’s about it. I live in LA where luxury bags are everywhere so I don’t think I get any sort of special treatment.
How do you take care of your bags? I try to avoid getting them wet or dirty but I also try not to baby them too much. Every couple of months I spend a night in, put on a podcast, and sit there cleaning/conditioning all of them with Cadillac leather lotion.
On Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? Not too often, I buy a bag every few years.
Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I would say I lean more in-store just because I would prefer to see a bag in person before buying them. My bag purchases are about half-and-half in-store and online however.
Which stores do you frequent the most? For new, I definitely check out all the major US department stores (Nordstrom, Saks, Neimans) often to see the bags, but I don’t usually buy from them.
I often buy new from European boutiques/eCommerce that carry multiple brands like LN-CC, Collage The Shop or Yoox.
Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? I haven’t ever returned a bag, hopefully I never have to!
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? I do, I would love to buy second-hand if possible. My favorite spots for second hand are Fashionphile and 2nd Street. I would also say The RealReal for selection and because I got my holy grail bag there. But they are known for their QC issues and I only felt comfortable buying there if I spent a LONG time analyzing the bag and I can tell it’s authentic. (I also go to a third party authenticator just for safe measure with TRR.)
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? I’ve only ever sold one bag, a small Chloé Marcie and it was to partially finance my Celine Classic!
Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? I’m not opposed but I haven’t donated or gifted one yet.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? Nope, I’ve always been anti-It bags (the marketing machine, not the bags themselves). I only buy and use bags that I love so I move on my own time.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Not in the financial sense. Anything that depreciates in value once you buy it isn’t a financial investment in my mind.
Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? I prefer classic styles because I often look at function first. I do follow fashion trends but I don’t let them be the deciding factor in my purchase. I often take so long to pull the trigger on a bag that I’ve had enough time to see if it makes it from trendy to classic (i.e. LOEWE Puzzle).
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Yes, ironically enough I don’t have any SAs that I work with closely at the moment. However I’ve had some in the past and have seen other relationships that are instrumental in getting sneak peeks at early releases and sales.
Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Yes, just as a way to get my steps in and getting inspired. LA has so many designer flagships with cool installations so walking into boutiques on Melrose or Rodeo always feels like going into mini museums.
Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not really, I often like being left alone and I’ve never had the sense I was being followed around a store. I often try to be friendly with them so they’re nice in return.
What are some factors that may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? I often steer clear of bags with leathers/materials that mark easily or light colors that will trap color transfer.
I also think a bag should fit seamlessly into your life depending on what you need it for. You shouldn’t have to change your life to fit the bag. I.e. an every day bag shouldn’t be so small you need to carry a second bag or so big you need to carry things you wouldn’t normally carry to fill it.
Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Dolce & Gabbana. Their problematic reputation runs the GAMUT of things that go against my values and also their designs are just way too gaudy.
On Budgeting & Perceptions
Who pays for your bags? Me!
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? I have a general “fun” budget that I pull from, but nothing bag-specific.
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Nope, no “lewk” is major enough for me to financially contribute to any illegal/unethical operations those counterfeits fund.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? No significant other here so nope!
Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? Nope, I’m lucky that my friends and family don’t care that much about my habits. They know that I know, no bag is ever worth going fully broke for.
Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? Nope, if I can’t pay something fully off in 2-3 credit card billing cycles max than it’s a no-go.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Not really, I maybe was more frivolous with my shopping in my 20s but at 30, I’ve made a conscious decision to buy less and put more toward savings and experiences. If I do buy clothes/bags/shoes, it better be things that I will wear/use often.
Let’s get personal…
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? Traveling, I try to go on one vacation a year. (domestic one year and international the next)
What is your greatest fear? Heights, specifically while looking down over a railing.
Which living person do you most admire? Kim Cattrall, as an impulsive people-pleaser, I’m learning to put myself first and say “No” more often.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family and friends.
What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? My Scandinavia trip in 2023. It’s a region I’ve wanted to go for a long time and I was just in love with the people, art, architecture and seafood. I also got to see Beyoncé open the Renaissance tour in Stockholm and that was my first time seeing her live!
Any parting words you would like to share with our readers?
-“Please, fashion has changed!”
-“No, it hasn’t.” (smack)
Serial Mom (1994) dir. John Waters
I like his style! Also, his vision is very straightforward and to the point. No BS. 😊
Agree! Loved this read also!
Love this! and the Céline Classic Bag in Stingray is such a rare find!
I enjoyed reading this CC. I missed reading this too. I like how he does not follow trends and has his own style.
Great, upbeat confessional! I love the picture of the Puzzle bag.
He is very much his (old soul) person. He seems wise and grounded for such a young (in my eyes) person.
And he has an enviable collection.
wowza, his Celine bag is absolutely stunning!! the best iteration I think I’ve seen in the classic box!