On December 31st 2019, many were excited to celebrate the end of one decade and celebrate a fresh start to the next decade. On that very day, China alerted WHO to several unusual cases of pneumonia that broke out in Wuhan. On January 7th, that virus was identified and named Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. From there, the virus spread, affecting China and today, as I sit here and write this from the desk in my bedroom, majority of the world. Almost every single country and every single person is affected by this virus and there is a sense of anxiety and fear over what is to come and how this will continue to impact us all.
And that’s just it, this is impacting all of us. Countries are on lockdown, cities under quarantine, and officials continue to implore us to heed warnings to help flatten the curve of this virus. You’re hearing a lot about washing your hands, social distancing, not gathering in groups, and staying home. I am not an expert in this field and won’t pretend to be, so I suggest you follow reliable local news sources as well as WHO and CDC for updates.
I know a lot of information is being shared online in every avenue, and while I did share an image and a few thoughts on Instagram, this is a time that has us in uncharted territory. How and what we share as a brand feels murky, in the way that I do not want to minimize what is happening, but I also know at a time like this people crave stability and an escape. Our site has always been as escape of sorts, a place for like minded individuals who love designer bags and accessories to come together with others who share the same passion. It’s the reason I fell in love with designer bags in the first place, it brought me joy and as this community has grown, I’ve felt such happiness in sharing this mutual love together.
What does that mean for PurseBlog? Myself and the rest of the PurseBlog team are very lucky, we can work from home and we can continue to share content with you. We are going to brainstorm additional ideas and features that we think you would love to read during this time (some are longer pieces, so there may be less daily posts some days). One major thing that will be lacking is our in-house photo production: you won’t see as many of our own photos, as nearly every fashion brand we pull product from have their teams working from home and will not be able to send samples. However, I’d love to hear if there is something specific you would like to see from us and please do feel free to leave a comment or drop me an email if there is any question, comment, or concern at any time. I find continuing to work brings a feeling of normalcy and stability in an otherwise very frightening time.
And speaking of that, I would be remiss to not truly touch on how much of an impact this is having on so many people across the world. I’ve been disappointed to see so many social media messages being shared that surround how this is a time at home to relax along with other various ideas that involve a lot of downtime and self-care. Of course, that would be ideal, if it were only that easy.
Millions of people will be facing lost wages, small businesses will be struggling to stay afloat, and many will be worried about affording food, rent, and how to care for their children during this time and in the months after. We are in a subset that is incredibly lucky to be able to stay home and continue to work, but many are not. I don’t know the exact answer for that, but I do want to say if any of you have ideas how to help the small businesses in your areas, please drop thoughts below. When stores are back up and running, do shop local, eat local, and try to stop and listen to what the people in your area are saying. I am sure many of you are facing an unstable time as well, and I wish there was something I could do to help each of you personally. It pains me to think of how many people will be out of work because of this. So before you repost how easy it can be right now to sing, dance, read books, and sit on the couch, keep in mind that many are not only not able to do that, but facing serious financial uncertainty. To those that have to still go in to your job in order to provide for yourself and your family, thank you and stay safe. And a very big thank you to those in the healthcare industry fighting this on the frontlines. You are helping save the world, we are so lucky to have you all.
We will be here (home, that is) and we will be working. As always, PurseForum is open as well and it’s a great community that you can chat with about everything from your favorite designers to TV shows you’re watching, to the royals!
Stay healthy and safe everyone!
❤ Megs
I would say , “DONATE!” If you r not in the service industry, take a portion of that money you may have been saving for a new handbag and donate to a local family owned restaurant (if they have been ordered to close). See if they have a legit go fund me site set up if you’re still wary of ordering take out. We have to think about others at this time and not about ourselves, and all of this “panic buying/hording” needs to STOP! Its disgusting, in a country that has SO much and people are still hording.smh.
Couldn’t agree with you more. Hoarders need to think about the food pantries lacking supplies and food for people who cannot afford to go food shopping. Shelters are in need of cleaning supplies and bathroom tissue. People are on grocery lines with bulk size packages of toilet tissue (who needs 54 rolls?!), paper towels and food that they for sure will not be able to completely consume even after all of this subsides. I hope they have the good heart of donating what they don’t need to those that need it the most.
There may be people that are hoarding supplies, but there are also others, like myself, that buy as much as the stores allow. Currently, stores in my area limit what ppl can purchase due to previous hoarders. Nonetheless, I purchase a lot because 3 of my family members cannot get out. Also, there are several elderly people that reside in my neighborhood and I purchase for them because they also cannot get out. So please don’t be so quick to pass judgment on everyone you see loading up their carts because they could be shopping for family, friends and neighbors that aren’t able to shop for themselves.
Thanks for this Megs. To you and the purseblog team, stay safe and well.
Same to you and yours!!
Thanks for the thoughtful post! I think the fact that some social media “influencers” who are still doing OOTD and tagging posts are not exactly “reading the room”. I know some people are craving a little escapism and Fun, but it wouldn’t hurt to acknowledge that we are headed to a global recession and a little saving and service to our communities will go along way. I’m not saying we’ll never have fun and shop and love bags again… but the ones who are carrying on like it’s a snow day are really gross.
Maybe you can focus on writing Purseonals or revisiting how certain bags hold up after months or years of use? I’d also love to read the Closet Confessional series again.
Yes to Purseonals as well as closet confessionals!
More Closet Confessionals from your readers!!!!!!
Everyone is afraid and seem to manage stress in different ways. Perhaps this is due to contradictory reports and the lack of efforts and medical equipment to protect everyone. To help combat these fears a FB page was set up in my community where everyone assists one another. There are no strangers…we are all family in this together.
However, with that said I personally enjoy in-depth topics that spark everyone’s interest. A topic that I’ve been interested in for awhile are the differences, pros and cons, about “vanity bags”. I know that Dior, Chanel,
Gucci and LV make them and some ppl even add a strap and carry them like handbags. I’m curious what the differences are, but also interested in other people’s opinions.
Like beauty/makeup bags you mean?
And yes, we are facing shortages on so many levels – including medical supplies and protective wear for those treating patients, which is terrifying!
An example is: LOUIS VUITTON Monogram Nice Mini.
I would love to see some bag reviews on bags your team already has, maybe talks about your collections as a whole, maybe even more reflective pieces about your bags. I loved those bag care articles too. Sending you and your team love, stay safe.
Yes, thinking to do a ‘shop my closet’ sort of series – checking out old bags I have and re-discovering them to share!
from Milan, Italy, thank you for being there. If you have been said not to stay home don’t believe it, stay home as much as you can. Every “heathy carrier” (who knows if we have or not been infected) can infect 10 other persons. No business is more important than one single life. Be responsible. Thanks 🙂
I live in the U.S.A. and there are several people ( a lot of millennials) that aren’t taking Covid-19 seriously. About 3-4 weeks ago the U.S.A wasn’t affected and now it has spread throughout all 50 States. I’ve also read that 36,000 Italians are affected and 3,000 people have, unfortunately, died. Perhaps, you have different numbers, but that’s what is being reported here. Since China was affected I told my family to be careful because this is an “invisible disease” (which is now what the President is calling it), but it troubles me that some people continue to disregard the seriousness of this Virus. I think it’s important to continue to inform people, via this platform, that this is deadly. I have great empathy and sadness for everyone that has been affected. I also know that if the U.S. President took this more seriously and was proactive and learned from other Countries, that many people here wouldn’t be affected; however, he minimized the effect this would have on U.S. citizens and took action too late. Unfortunately, he refused to listen to his experts and there is absolutely no denying the truth of this statement. However, If it’s any consolation we are praying that this ends, for everyone, and soon. Take care of yourself, family, friends and neighbors.
Yes, I implore everyone who is able to stay home, to do so! And if you must go out, to heed every warning, keep distance, to not only protect yourself but others.
How are you holding up? <3
I have been home since February 24 as I am at risk (pulmonary sarcoidosis but I’m fine). I was lucky as our company decided on smart working. We are millions here working from home, our region, Lombardy is the most affected but we are also one of the most productive cities in the country. The only way to stop the spread of this terrible virus is to stay away, home, isolate yourself, so as not to infect others and not be infected. Please, it’s a terrible disease, patients are “alone” in hospitals, nobody (relatives, friends) can be close: they heal or die on their own and it’s not a good death. Now it’s time to be clever and generous, to be kind to humanity as One. To spread your Light as much as you can all over the Globe, but remaining home. Nobody of us is alone if you help this way. Thanks for reading 🙂
Take care of yourself and stay home! Thank you for sharing, and yes, we are all in this together and right now can chose to spread love 🙂
As I have had plenty of alone time to think about how precious life is during this time of crisis. I have also given a lot of thought to priorities. I love my designer bags and always will but right now the thought of buying a Chanel or Hermès is not at all a priority for me. And may never be again. I have not shopped for groceries in over a week because I always have a well stocked pantry. I know people are scared and suffering. I’m not surprised by the hoarding of food and necessities because I see that as a reaction fueled by fear. Perhaps this is our wake-up call to reprioritize what we stand for. I am hoping that sooner than later life will return to normal and we will all be happily shopping again. But I think I will always be changed by this crisis and my heart goes out to those who are sick and those who are fearful and those who have lost loved ones.
Very well said, all of it. I am not in any way saying now is the time to shop for bags. I think everyone, first and foremost, is concerned for themselves and their families safety and well-being. We are worried and care for ours and yours as well. But we’re here, and going to continue to provide content that might spark a bit of joy in you, even if just for a minute!
Would love to see a return of “the many bags of…” feature.
Already working on it!
Now isn’t the time for luxury handbag shopping.
I think many people will not be shopping for bags at this time. However, our business is about bags so we are working to think of coverage that may resonate with you during this time. It’s not easy for anyone, and we want to find content to share that may be fun to read as an outlet during this scary time. <3
There’s always that topic of “Shopping My Own Closet” to showcase handbags that people haven’t used in a while. There’s plenty of people with handbags that they don’t use that often, perhaps have a topic like that to show appreciation for the bags one already has as well as promoting mindfulness, especially since many people are economically impacted and cannot spare their extra cash to buy a new (or even pre-loved) handbags.
Totally, we will do that!
Thanks for checking in! Hope the team is safe and healthy as well!
How about an article on people who share or loan their bags to family and friends.
Just on why to do it, or what are you thinking?
Just experiences good and bad. Years ago my youngest daughter went to Greece on vacation and asked to borrow one of my bags to take with her. As she’s not really into bags, I unfortunately said “no.” Later I felt guilty and bought her that very same bag. I recently saw the bag in her closet and I still feel badly that I didn’t loan to her.
Since so many of us are quarantined at home, we’re communicating mostly online. With that in mind, please bring back the PurseForum roundup! But don’t base it only on Instagram photos. Many of use don’t do Instagram and were always excluded from the roundups. There are great photos in the forums themselves.
Yes, we will have one tomorrow and it will be based on tPF posts, not instagram!
Stay well my purse loving friends!
Thank you, Megs. You clearly worked hard to strike just the right note (as many of us are striving to to in our various essential communication). You nailed it – this is pitch-perfect and so so very important.
You are right that this community is one we all need as a respite from so much in this uncharted territory. We need you as you and your PB family need us. Socially distanced indefinitely here in Chicago, with the option of privilege that is working-at-home, I also live alone and NEED THE INTERWEBS. Physical distance requires the balance of social and emotional connection.
For many of us, longtime members of this welcoming, non-judgmental community, we need you. Thanks to your family and the PB family you for being here.
Wishing you safety and good health…
RocketGirl
Thank you for this beyond kind message, it honestly came at the right moment as some moments the stress weighs me down more than others.
We will be here, I’ll continue to work to bring you new content that feels appropriate for the time and gives us all something to be part of together.
Hang in there, I’m here, we can all be here together!
Depending on how well connected one actually is to (X), it would be fascinating to learn how various manufacturers select leather for their products;, e.g, weight, grain, etc. Same is true of bling. Make great reads?
When in the ladies shoe manufacturing biz, the design team regularly met with management to debate materials and methods. Spent lots of time making knock-offs. Seemed something solid to sink one’s canine incisors into..(pardon the unintended alliteration..) ?
Hey can you guys post another closet confessional? I miss those.
Can you please post more closet confessionals? I miss those
Excellent Article I have a couple of suggestions, how about featuring bags that are functional and affordable for people want a great bag that fits their lifestyles.. I love Radley London bags and wallets, so I would love to see an article about this wonderful company. I am very particular about my handbags, so what is popular with most people is not my style, so any articles that feature high quality well-made bags that withstand the test of time of daily life would be a HUGE blessing to me. Thanks for the articles that allows me to dream about bags. Be Blessed!!
Thanks for this thoughtful post. The Purseblog team has been doing a great job since you posted it <3