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Interview with Larkie: Part Two

I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s post with Larkie…she’s fantastic, no? I don’t want to blather on here as I know you’re all looking for the good stuff…more from Larkie…so I’ll keep it short and sweet. Part two of her interview, below:

What are some of your most treasured items (favorite bag, favorite shoe, dress, coat?)

I have a few Chanel RTW items that are so close to couture quality that I cherish them immensely. But I would venture to say that the most treasured items would be my Chanel alligator flap bags because each bag is unique. Just like the human fingerprints, there are no two identical alligators, so I know each of my bags is essentially one of a kind.

How did you get started collecting Chanel and becoming interested in fashion in general?

I would have to credit Vogue for introducing me to the world of fashion when I was a teenager. My maternal side of the family has roots in the textile business, and my mom taught me how to sew rather early on. And I’ve always sketched things, whether it’s a dress or a piece of jewelry. I am fascinated by fashion for all its endless creative recycling and for the business juggernaut it has become.

I bought my first Chanel RTW item (a boiled wool strapless dress) as a reward for landing my first big client, and the rest is history. Chanel is just like smoking. If you don’t want to get addicted, don’t inhale.

How do you view the recent price hikes in luxury brands such as Chanel and Hermes? Where does that leave you now in terms of how you purchase?

From a business point of view I think it’s genius that they can pull it off so well. From a consumer point of view, however, this makes me less impulsive of a buyer, which I suppose is a good thing. I don’t plan to walk away from the brand. In fact, as long as Chanel continues to churn out wonderful pieces season after season without boring me, I won’t stop collecting. I won’t be able to buy as much as before if the prices keep skyrocketing (I don’t want to adjust my shopping budget to suit their hikes) so I’ll just be more selective. Both Chanel and Hermes have wealthy clients who will sustain them at all price points, but with average clients like me, they may see a decrease in quantity of items sold.

Finally – if you could only have one bag – which do you recommend?

I always tell people they have to buy the bag they will actually use instead of the one they covet. But if I am pressed to make a suggestion, it would be the Chanel black “reissue” 2.55 flap in the large or medium size with matte gold hardware. It goes with everything in my book. But ladies, please don’t abuse your bags. There’s nothing sadder looking than a beat up reissue flap. I know it’s supposed to look distressed, but as someone once advised me a long time ago, no matter what you wear, if your bag and shoes are well cared for, you’ll always look polished.

That concludes our interview series with Larkie (for now!). I wanted to leave you with an image of a classic Larkie outfit- a Chanel cardigan and simple casual tee. To me that is the ultimate symbol of Larkie’s style – fabulous quality and gorgeous tailoring – but ultimately, approachable and forever classic. Thank you Larkie for sharing your closet and thoughts with us. And feel free to check out her blog here. 

24 Comments

  • Reply
    Jane Alisa
    April 14, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Love her Chanel bags. xoxo

  • Reply
    Joanne Hegarty
    April 14, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    I would so love to own a Chanel jacket
    Joanne
    http://www.balletpumpsandroses.com

  • Reply
    EllysMakeupbag
    April 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    The second outfit is pure class.

  • Reply
    Tara @ Haute Lunch
    April 14, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Those bags are fabulous! And I agree, you should always take care of your shoes and bags, no matter how much they cost! Worn out shoes and bags never look classy or fashionable.

  • Reply
    Michelle's Style File
    April 14, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Lovely interview.

    x
    Michelle
    http://www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Orange and Cloves
    April 14, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    I love those shoes in the first photo, AMAZING!

    orangeandcloves.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Rhiannon {Hey Gorg}
    April 14, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Wow that Chanel collection!! Impressive and gorg 🙂

  • Reply
    Lulu B
    April 14, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    OMG what a chanel bag collection :oo xx

  • Reply
    Chic 'n Cheap Living
    April 14, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Larkie's collection is insane! I'm actually thinking of getting a reissue 227. I am concentrating on quality, functional bags these days. Spending too much time stalking Purse Forum doesn't help!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

  • Reply
    DSK Steph
    April 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Thank you for introducing us all to Larkie! I love her taste in fashion. 😀

  • Reply
    Annette
    April 14, 2011 at 3:33 pm

    Ahh that last cardigan speaks to me. Her collection is amazing!

    lefthandedstory.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Trista
    April 14, 2011 at 4:03 pm

    Great interview and I love all the pictures…the bags are amazing!

  • Reply
    travelkate
    April 14, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    The second part was just as fascinating as the first. Once again, great interview!

  • Reply
    Ana
    April 14, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Wow that Chanel handbag collection really is lust-worthy!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog!

  • Reply
    alison*elle
    April 14, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Sigh… the Chanel price hikes really are depressing. But ignoring that, Larkie's collection is so lovely! I especially like her second outfit and all her cardigans.

    xo, alison*elle

  • Reply
    Claire
    April 14, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    so classy, love the outfits.

    ~ xoxo 🙂

  • Reply
    Lisa
    April 14, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Larkie has the most amazing channel collection ever! I'm always drooling over her bags on TPF… My dream is to own a channel python flap!

  • Reply
    Lisa
    April 14, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    Ugh fudge I hate autocorrect on IPad!

  • Reply
    Maryjane
    April 14, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Beautiful bags and outfit! I just love Chanel! I mean, who doesn't?

    Maryjane xoxo

  • Reply
    CoutureJunkie
    April 14, 2011 at 9:18 pm

    Larkie's Chanel collection is amazing and a true defintion of a Chanel girl. She is also so totally right about the 2.55 reissue flap bag. I see so many girls with them nowadays. I myself am on the hunt for a vintage 2.55 medium flap handbag. This was such an amazing interview and I can't wait for your next interview with a new style social.

    -xo
    Bobbie

    Confessions of a Couture Junkie

  • Reply
    Mary @ stylefyles
    April 14, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    That first outfit of Larkie's is sincerely fantastic. Such a huge fan of that blazer and the amazing shoes!

    Smart advice to buy the bag you would use, rather than the one you covet. That's good advice with any purchase. Just because something is insanely aesthetically pleasing, doesn't mean it makes sense in your closet / home / etc.

  • Reply
    Winnie
    April 15, 2011 at 1:11 am

    Wow, that is some Chanel collection! I can't wait to afford one myself in the future, I will, I will!

  • Reply
    Rosy (of Raindrops on Rosy)
    April 15, 2011 at 4:46 am

    wow what an amazing chanel collection. both of the outfits are very chic and classic looks.

  • Reply
    Melissa
    April 15, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    "if you don't want to get addicted, don't inhale"… where did you find her, she's amazing!! Haha! Great choice on the interview. Once again, she is great. And your questions were fantastic. Way to put the interview together, what a success 🙂

    xxMelissa

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