DOUBLE SIGH. The icon of luxury. The status symbol of fashion bloggers, celebrities, and stay-at-home moms alike. Parisian fashion and beauty come together in a leather handbag so lovely that knock-off manufactures have been trying to replicate it’s perfection for decades. If you’ve ever been a person on a fixed budget – you may think that a knock-off is the only Louis you’ll ever have….I’m here to TELL YOU – you can have a budget and an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag!
Speedy 35 – my own personal bag
HOW so?
Allow me to introduce, Robin Ebert*. She is the owner of a custom Louis Vuitton rehab and restoration Company called “For the Love of Louis.” I was introduced to her about two years ago by a mutual friend and have since come to lovingly call her my “Luxury Handbag Consultant.” She’s based out of Columbia, South Carolina but is available nationwide. Robin’s passion is not just in handbags; it’s about finding the perfect match of a woman to her purse.
In the words of the incredible Carrie Bradshaw
“I’m thinking balls are to men, what purses are to women. It’s just a little bag but we’d feel naked in public without it.”
A woman’s purse carries her most necessary and personal items. It is not only a statement of her personality, but it combines function with fashion. Alongside a pair of shoes, it’s the most commonly used accessory. For most of us, affording a bag that starts at upwards of $1,000 brand new is out of the question. For Robin, her purpose is pairing a woman’s desire of luxury in a more reasonable and accommodating budget. I was able to sit down and chat with her about her business and what it affords the modern woman.
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B – What was your first Louis Vuitton?
R- Honestly, my first LV was a tote called a Babylone and I hated it. I bought it online and had no clue how narrow the bag was. That’s one of the reasons it is so hard to buy online. I spent $450 on a bag that I didn’t even end up liking.
B- How did you learn so much about this brand of handbag?
R- I really learned because I was young and broke! I wanted a Louis Vuitton so badly, but I didn’t have much money and certainly not enough to buy a new one. I decided that if I could learn enough about authenticity where I could buy authentic bags that either needed refurbishing or repair and learn how to do it, I could have a Louis Vuitton for about the same price as buying a new bag from a mid-priced designer. Fast forward some years, and most of the bags I sell now have needed minimal work, but I still occasionally enjoy taking a bag that is not even in useable condition and giving it new life. Sometimes I get super creative and dye bags, or add things like hardware or fringe to give it a custom look.
B- How do you find such great bags?
R – I find them all over – estate sales, consignment stores, as well as a few trusted sellers that I’ve worked with for years.
B- What are the 3 things you would recommend for a first-time Louis-owner?
R- If you have an unlimited budget, that’s a hard question. However, I find that most of my customers are most comfortable in the $250-$450 price range. So I’ll make my recommendations in that price range:
Speedy. For a purse, you really can’t go wrong with a Speedy of any size. It is THE iconic LV. It is timeless and will last you forever. My Speedy 30 is from the late 1970s. (Price range $350ish)
Dame GM clutch. This clutch is a lot of bang for your buck, and not everyone has one. I’ve literally had people stop me on the street to ask about mine. It’s large enough to hold a small card case, phone, keys and cosmetics. I love the structure and shape, as well as the classic design. I guarantee you people will think you paid twice what you did for this bag. (Price range: $300ish)
Pochette Accessories. This little bag is the most versatile piece in all of Louis Vuitton. It can be used as a small shoulder bag, wristlet, clutch, makeup bag or crossbody (a non-LV crossbody chain will run you about $15 on Amazon). It holds a lot more than you think! I use this as my essentials pouch (ID/debit card, phone, etc) in my big bag on week days, then just grab it out of there and go for evenings or weekends – no purse changing required. (Price range $250ish)
For all of those of you foaming at the mouth at the opportunity to have an Authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy for under $500, let me gently pet you down. Robin works individually with each one of her clients. She likes to build a rapport and find out what kind of handbag would work best for your needs. If you’re an on-the-go mom, you may be more of a Neverfull girl. If you spend a lot of time traveling, you may need a Sac Tote. If you prefer lots of happy hours, you may need a Dame GM. There are many styles, sizes, and leathers that a Louis Vuitton comes in. It takes TIME for her to find the perfect bag for each client – so if you have a little bit of patience, chances are that within a few weeks to a few months you will be united with the Louis of your dreams! And isn’t that what it’s all about
Currently, she deals exclusively with her VIP Facebook Client group, which she will open ONLY for my blog readers and pending admin approval! She provides useful tips, rehab and restoration knowledge, giveaways, and even some LIVE sales for those of us VIP’s. If you would like her direct information, you may contact her:
Email: rme80@hotmail.com
It is with a sincere thank you to Robin Ebert for allowing me the privilege of sharing her business with my readers!*
*While this post is sponsored, all content and opinions are of my own. Please allow 1-3 business days to be approved in the VIP Facebook Group.
