Ashley Olsen was out on Rodeo yesterday doing a little shopping at Hermes.

But ya know- you don’t have to live in Beverly Hills- or even near a boutique to shop for fabulous authentic Hermes pieces!  We’re here whether you are or not!  We have many local clients, but many of our consignors are from all over the world.

Always check FASHIONPHILE first for Hermes or any of your favorite brands of authentic pre-owned luxury handbags!

Photo Credit:  Gossip Girls

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We all remember the special order monogram guitar case that Louis Vuitton came up with for their Core Values spot with Keith Richards.

Well it looks like Hermès one-uped them!  Check out the bespoke Crocodile case that they created for Eric Clapton!   The case was specially designed to carry his Martin 00028 EC acoustic guitar.  (Yep- the guitar that Eric Clapton helped design- and was named for him “EC”).

Poplar wood from Nazareth, Pennsylvania and matte crocodile skin make up the shell of the case.   Blue silk velvet lines the interior.  Just another reason for me to wish I could play the guitar.

Luxist

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**READ ON FOR INFO ABOUT OUR HUGE SALE THIS WEEK**

Christmas is around the corner, and the economy is down the tubes!  But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get that fabulous authentic Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Marc Jacobs (etc. etc.) handbag you’ve had your eye on!

This week only, we have posted ALL of our eBay auctions this week as 99¢ NO reserve auctions.  We start them out and then just let them go.  We got a few of our regular consignors to agree to the sale- and the rest are things that we’ve purchased outright.  I’m feeling a little nostalgic, because those of you who have been with me for years, know that we only started using reserves a few years ago.  We were ALL no reserves for years before that!

Like the authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton Richard Prince Graduate jokes bag pictured above?  It’s currently up only up to $721 on eBay- no reserve.  Naturally, we hope it goes higher- but we’re letting it go for what YOU think it’s worth!

Reuter’s announced yesterday that Recycled (pre-owned) is the way to go in a down economy… and we couldn’t agree more!   Don’t miss our auctions this week.

Click on any of the images below for a sneak preview.  All listed at huge bargains, with no reserve!

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I was just perusing the pages of October’s Marie Claire, when I came upon this article listing MC Fashion Director and Project Runway alum, Nina Garcia’s “necessities”.

She’d recently had her apartment remodeled, and so she didn’t have easy access to her closet.  She’d sneak back in for bits and pieces that she just couldn’t live without.  The whole experience ended up as material for her book “The One Hundred:  A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own.“  (Just ordered it from Amazon!)

But I noticed, that she calls the Louis Vuitton Speedy an “investment bag”.  In MC it says of the LV Speedy, “Snag icon status for yourself and future grand-daughter.”

I thought this was particularly interesting, since it reminded me of something she said in an interview with Fashion Tribes, almost a year ago.

When mixing and matching your wardrobe I tend to invest in classic pieces, like trench coat, handbag-Chanel 2.5, Hermes Birkin or Louis Vuitton Speedy, Little Black Dress and more decorative accessories. When it comes to trendier pieces, I go to places like Zara and H&M and also incorporate vintage finds like colorful dresses and bohemian-esque embellished belts.  Shopping at different price points gives your wardrobe texture and personality.  You do not need to be in head to toe designer to look great.

This is just great fashion advice.  And am so with her on the look of iconic bags- classics paired up with trendier pieces.  But the reality is that, while it’s clearly worth the “investment”, you don’t have to pay the full $675-$750 for an authentic Louis Vuitton monogram Speedy!

We almost alwasy have authentic, pre-owned LV Speedys for sale- often for hundreds below retail.  Be sure to check out our www.fashionphile.com website, and our weekly eBay auctions!

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Famed “luxury still life” photographer- Mitchell Feinberg has a cool spot in Muse Magazine- of some pretty amazing handbags or at least their imprints in sand.  Love the one above of the new Louis Vuitton Mini Speedy Cube (a fab leather $2420 bag.)

Check out more pictures over the jump… (more…)

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Totally interesting article on the “slowing” luxury market in Japan:  Losing its Shine, from the Economist.  Notable quotes?

“Having been stagnant for half a decade, sales have fallen dramatically this year for many brands. Hermès, Gucci, Tiffany, Chanel and Cartier have all felt the pinch.  LVMH’s sales in Japan slid by 6% in the first six months. This year may be the first since the company’s arrival in Japan in 1978 in which its sales in the country go down.”

“The Japanese market for imported luxury products—clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories—was worth ¥1.2 trillion ($10.2 billion) in 2007, a drop of 39% since 1996. As sales have fallen, the big labels’ market shares have increased: Louis Vuitton’s sales have almost tripled over the period, to ¥165 billion.”

“Japan overflows with “parasite singles”—adults living with their parents—who are flush with money that would otherwise go on rent. As fewer women marry and have children, they have more cash to spend. All of this fuelled Japan’s strong demand for luxury goods. But as the population ages, there are fewer young, wealthy and fashion-mad customers.”

“To support their sales, Louis Vuitton and Gucci have launched less expensive collections made with cheaper materials. Big brands are also opening stores in smaller cities, where the lure of the logo still works. The big question is whether Japan is an isolated example, or signals a broader shift in demand. Perhaps it is a bit of both.”

This is just a really interesting read considering how influential Japan is

Read the whole article.

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So it looks like eBay isn’t taking it’s recent HUGE losses (against LVMH and Hermes) in Europe sitting down.

Tod Cohen, (Deputy General Counsel for eBay) has apparently asked the commissioner of Anti-trust issues in the European Union to look into some of these companies that are using tight (and arguably “anti-competitive” and  “abusive”) distribution agreements to keep their products off of eBay.

Cohen contends that these companies’ policies are “manipulating and controlling the markets beyond EU market rules”.

Interesting quote from Neelie Kroes, European Union Competition Commissioner:

“There are a number of practices that are being used to restrict cross-border sales, which I think require a closer look.

Like I’ve always said, I back any companies’ efforts to protect their good name and reputation.  eBay bears some responsibility in this- mainly in working closely with Trademark owners in keeping the market clean.  (They could do more- in requiring real verification for all users for starters!)  But they’re doing a ton of what they can do.  What they aren’t good at is combing through all of the listings for fakes.  This is where there needs to be coordination and cooperation with the Brand holders themselves.

The idea that a company can restrict my ability to resell any item that I have legitimately purchased, because they don’t want it sold in an particular venue is just craziness.  I mean, so you buy a Mercedes from an authorized Mercedes dealership, and you are never allowed to resell your vehicle?  Come on!

That’s what LVMH has done in France.  Let’s say that I live in France and get J’Adore Dior perfume (Dior is owned by LVMH) for my birthday.  And let’s just say that I’m also allergic to perfumes.  I am not allowed by LVMH or eBay since the decision earlier this year (unless Mr. Cohen’s efforts prove victorious) to sell that perfume on eBay.

Let’s just hope that at the very least that kind of nonsense doesn’t get worse (more limitations… and more lawsuits), and at best that people will be able have full rights of resale to anything that they legally and lawfully buy with their hard earned money.

Can’t these companies see how limiting resale reduces the value of their luxury brands?

Read more from Retail Week.

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Oh shoot!  So, the story is that this business guy staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel (you can see this outside our window- directly across the street from our office!) was seduced by a woman… they went to his room, he poured some drinks, and next thing he knows- he’s waking up in a drugged stuper after sleeping like a baby till 9:30 am!

The woman had taken off with $35,000 worth of stuff:  Louis Vuitton wallet, Hermes watch, Prada shaving kit, Rolex watch, Ray Bans, Dolce & Gabbana shirts, etc. etc.

Detectives are looking for more guys who may have had a similar thing happen, but were too embarrassed to report it.  They’re promising anonymity to victims of similar crimes and are giving out the Beverly Hills detective hotline at (310) 288-2656 for tips.

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Yeah, he is too… but I’m talking Vickie B’s Hermes Pochette Kelly.  Does it get any cuter?  I mean, I love a big bag, but I love a little bitty bag too!

If you don’t have split pea soup green as a staple color in your wardrobe (although, I’m digging it… don’t get me wrong!), we’ve got a fabulous pre-owned brown authentic Hermes Pochette Kelly on eBay right now.

It’s just stunning!  And look how little bitty it is!

Be sure to take a look!  I LOOOOVe it!!!

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 Before:

After:

Look at what a Birkin will do for you!  I mean, honestly, what a lovely picture- it’s a 100% improvement!  (Check out more pics from the spread on the “Royal” Ronson’s from this month’s Harper’s Bazaar.)

Don’t we all need the same boost?  Carrying a Birkin really does make you feel like more than a mere mortal.  It’s such a stunning Iconic piece.

If you’re in the market for a Hermes Birkin- you’ve come to the right place…  We have a GORGEOUS absolutely authentic pre-owned white Hermes Birkin 35 on eBay right now.  You know you can’t just walk in to Hermes and pick one of these up.  If you’re into instant gratification- get this one whTake a look:

Here’s Vickey B carrying the same bag.  It’s just amazing!

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