CC 243: The Canadian Collector Who Keeps It Real

In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we meet a Canadian collector whose attitude towards luxury bags is incredibly realistic and down to earth. CC 243 purchased her first bag, a Chanel Jumbo Flap, at 16 and has since developed an extensive collection of truly beautiful bags. Her collection includes Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and more.

While these days, CC 243 enjoys the entire experience of shopping in-store, her first attempt to snag her Holy Grail on eBay back in the day went south, but it actually led to her getting her first Kelly Bag, which is a sentimental piece she still uses to this day.

Speaking of sentimental, this collector doesn’t believe that anyone should judge another on their bags alone. After all, every nice item usually has a beautiful story behind it! Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!

Basic Bio

Your Age? 53
Your Gender Identity? Female
Where do you live? London, Ontario, Canada
What is your occupation? Medical Aesthetician / Spa Owner
What industry do you work in? Medical Aesthetics
What is your annual salary range? Total household income? $85,000/$300,000
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes

Onto The Bags

How many bags do you own? 34 bags not including clutches, overnight bags and luggage

What bags are in your collection?

• Bottega Veneta Calfskin The Pouch Chain in Almond and Racing Green
• Bottega Veneta Cassette Chain Bag in Mallard
• Gucci Calfskin Matelasse Large GG Marmont Shoulder Bag Hibiscus Red
• Stella McCartney Shaggy Deer Small Falabella Tote Ice Blue
• Hermès Taurillon Clemence Evelyne III GM Gold
• Hermès Bleu Nuit with gold hardware
• Hermès Togo Kelly Retourne 35 Geranium
• Hermès Black Togo with gold hardware
• Valentino Garavani Rockstud Spike Large Lamb Leather Shoulder Bag
• 3 Escada Eluna Bags in Black, Neon Yellow and Pink Love these fun Y2K bags so much!
• Chanel Calfskin Stitched Large Button Up Hobo Dark Blue
• Chanel Black Patent Leather 2.55 with Black hardware
• Chanel Large Boy Black with aged silver hardware
• Chanel Mermaid Medium Boy
• Louis Vuitton Black Eye Love You
• Louis Vuitton White Multi Color Trouville
• Louis Vuitton Cherry Blossom Retro
• Louis Vuitton Damier Azure Riviera MM
• Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Neverful GM
• 4 Rebecca Minkoff Large Affair bags in lilac, coral, emerald green and beige all with gold hardware
• Yves Saint Laurent Sheepskin Matelasse Chevron Monogram Monochrome Large College Satchel Black on Black
• 5 Balenciaga City Bags Black Metallic gold Edge, cobalt, Rose Thulian, Amethyst and Anthracite I still love these and most were from the treasured Nicolas Ghesquiere era, before the scandal and I wear them proudly
• 2 Jimmy Choo Rosalie bags in Coral and Burgundy such amazing quality!

How much is your collection worth? $120,000

What is your most expensive bag? My Hermès Black Togo 35 Kelly.

Do you ever experience buyer’s remorse after purchasing a bag? If so, how do you deal with it? Never! I work long hours and days and I don’t travel much. I usually only have a true 2 week vacation every 4-7 years so my handbags are what I would have spent on a vacation if I was traveling once or twice a year.

Do you feel a desire to downsize your collection? If so, what factors are driving that decision? No, I actually still use all of these beauties. I love to switch them up with each daily outfit I wear.

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? I was 16 years old when I purchased my first Chanel Jumbo Double Flap in Black Lambskin with Gold Hardware. I only just sold it in 2019 and it went for more than I paid for it.

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? I haven’t seen anything that catches my eye recently.

Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Absolutely! The Black Multicolored EYE LOVE YOU bag from Louis Vuitton! When I first saw that bag, I was over the moon obsessed and loved it so much more when my husband surprised me with it for our first Christmas together married! It’s so colorful and goes with everything! This bag reminds me of a dream of happy eyes but the structured shape and the bow with the lock and the gold rock-studs were just so detailed for me to not be able to stop looking at it constantly when I first received it!

Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? My first Hermès Black Togo 35 gold hardware Kelly bag, was a fabulous unboxing experience in Toronto with my husband and my SA. I had originally wanted a Gold Togo 35 gold hardware Birkin Bag and bid on one on eBay but I was scammed and went through a grueling several months of dealing with eBay high claims, police reports and vowed I would never buy any bags on eBay after that!

The whole experience was time consuming and exhausting so my husband marched me into the Hermès store on Bloor Street in Toronto and put me on a wait list for a Birkin. I then was in a terrible accident and ended up with damage in my left hand with arthritis setting in, I realized a Birkin would be uncomfortable and that a Kelly made more sense since it’s a 2 way bag. I called my SA and changed my request from a Birkin to a Kelly and she had one for me right away! I was so overwhelmed when I opened the box in the private room with her and my husband! I carry it everywhere!

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Perhaps but I feel no-one should ever judge anyone who carries a beautiful bag as everyone has a story that goes along with each special item they own.

How do you take care of your bags? They’re always stored in their dust bags and inside a very large case. I don’t have them displayed in my dressing room.

On Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? 1-2 x each year or every 2 years

How has your bag collection changed during the past few years, and why? I used to own more Jimmy Choo bags and I loved the classic Ramona bags when they first came out! Such incredible quality and they held everything. I had them in every color but the mini bag trend had taken over these past several years and Jimmy Choo makes more smaller bags with more silver hardware and I don’t wear small bags or silver.

Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I prefer in store because I feel I get the whole experience with my SAs and it’s an outing so it usually becomes a weekend getaway.

Which stores do you frequent the most?

• Holt Renfrew Toronto
• Hermes Toronto
• Louis Vuitton Toronto
• Chanel Toronto

Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? Never! I am passionate about what I love and want.

Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Yes, I have and I love and trust Fashionphile.

Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Yes, we have an amazing charity here in London called Hand Bags For Hospice and I have donated up to 4 bags each year! It’s such an incredible cause and you never know when you might need a wonderful place such as this to spend your last days.

Do you feel that social media or influencer culture pressures you to buy more bags or certain brands? Never, I know what I love when I see it and I don’t follow any influencers.

Do you consider your bag purchases financial or emotional investments? I would have to agree to both but I usually feel they are more emotional investments.

Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Definitely a combination of both.

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Sometimes but I know what I want usually without being swayed.

Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? Absolutely, I love looking at classics and vintage.

Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Never!

What factors may dissuade you from buying a bag, even if you like it? Quality is key, if a handbag looks amazing but it looks like it could scuff easily or the hardware could tarnish then I don’t care what brand it is, I won’t buy it.

Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? No, I understand there are a lot of wonderful brands out there waiting to be recognized.

Balenciaga has had some terrible press in the past but they apologized for their marketing company’s ill campaign and they are an excellent brand that I have loved since the early 2000s and they need forgiveness.

Do you ever rent designer bags? If so, from where? No.

How do you feel about the concept of “quiet luxury” vs. “loud luxury”? I love both and as you can see, I love color with logos or without. I just love whatever works for me and my style.

On Budgeting & Perceptions

Who pays for your bags? I do and so does my wonderful husband.

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No, I just consider how many years it’s been since my last vacation and realize it’s time to treat myself to something new!

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Back in my youth but I wouldn’t do that with all the fabulous bags out there that are affordable and excellent quality from Kate Spade, Coach, Telfer, Rebecca Minkoff etc…

Do you use financing or payment plans (like Afterpay or Klarna) for bag purchases? No.

Do you think owning luxury bags helps you in professional or social situations? How so? No.

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? Have you ever lied about the cost of a bag to avoid judgment? Never.

Do you ever resell bags on platforms like The RealReal, Fashionphile, or Vestiaire Collective? I resell my bags at my favorite consignment shops L’Elegante on Cumberland Street, Toronto, Style 360 and Boutique Top Floor in London, Ontario

Have your friends or family ever criticized your bag-buying habits? If so, how did you respond? No, they always compliment my bags. I couldn’t bear that kind of negative energy coming from friends or family.

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? No, I don’t buy often and I donate or consign regularly.

Let’s get personal…

What is your greatest extravagance? Our trip through Florence and Tuscany with a private driver who also had a degree in art history and was a sommelier. We ended up at the Terme di Saturnia Spa and those 8 days will forever be our most extravagant experience!

What is your greatest fear? Heights and spiders

What is the trait you most admire in others? Laid back elegance without judgement

Which living person do you most admire? Sophia Loren

What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband

What is your favorite journey you have taken so far? The full Amalfi Coast including the Island of Capri, Ischia, Positano and Sorrento.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Just having a day to myself to sleep in and do whatever I want.

Any parting words you would like to share with our readers? I feel blessed and am grateful for all I have. In these uncertain days of wars and storms, I just feel we need to enjoy all we can while we have the opportunity. You never know when the road will turn.