From a furrier to a fashionista, or why the business of making bags is profitable in Russia. How to tell a real Louis Vuitton bag from a fake one Learn how to sew leather bags

30.09.2019

Decide how you want to deal with bags - as a hobby or as a profession. You can do both: for example, sew bags in your spare time and then sell them to earn some money.

Hone your sewing skills. .

Start sewing bags according to patterns

Try to sew an unusual bag. Recycled materials, or materials that are used in a way that they aren't used to, can make a bag truly unique. What can be turned into a bag?

Move on to more complex elements. Learn how to sew on zippers, buttons, Velcro and other fasteners. Learn how to create a lining, bag bottom, and 3D shapes. Learn how to sew different types of pockets and handles.

Learn how bags of all kinds are made. Consider suitcases, backpacks, shoulder bags, small evening bags, lunch boxes, diaper bags, coin purses, knitting bags and all other types of bags.
- How are they tailored?
- What styles do they represent?
- What function do they perform?
- What do they lack and why are they uncomfortable?
Learn to create custom shapes. Take a scrap piece of fabric and try folding and sewing it in different ways to see which combinations look best. Don't forget to give seam leave. Buy any simple bag from a second-hand store and rip it apart to get an idea of what it looked like as a pattern.

Analyze how you use the bags you have. Consider which bags you prefer and why. Ask your friends to show you their bags (this might be too personal, so don't be too pushy). Pay attention to what people carry in their bags. Should you add a cell phone pocket? What about an inside pocket for personal items? Should I make a large compartment for a book or laptop?
Explore the different types of bag models, jewelry, details. Most bags have a similar cut, and only fashionable details distinguish them from each other. Analyze how different materials and colors change the style, look and feel of a bag. What makes a bag unique? Compare different bags and experiment with the following elements.
- Form. Bags are completely different: from narrow elongated to short and wide. How does the shape of a bag affect its comfort and appearance?
- Color. Fabric, leather and other materials come in a wide variety of colors. The material can be dyed, can be left in its natural form, combined with different colors and emphasize their shape.
- Drawing. There are no restrictions here. The pattern can be geometric, floral, catchy, soft. The pattern can also be created by cutting and processing the material of the bag.
- Material. The material is the most important component of the bag, as it affects its appearance, handling comfort, weight and texture.
Start selling the bags you make. Try putting them up for sale online or at trade fairs. This is how you make money, find out what people think about your products, and get noticed. Listen to your customers and think about what you hear, especially if you hear something more than once and from different clients.
- If you're looking at bags in a store, look out for the people who do the same in front of you. What bags did they come with? What bags do they like? What bags do they pick up to look at and then put back in their place? What do they say about these bags to whoever they came with?
- Go get a new bag with any of your friends who agrees to take you along, and watch which bags this person will pay attention to and why.
- Do not forget to consider how well the bag will wear if it is designed for daily use. What will it look like if it gets dirty? Can the material last for several years and wear out in a beautiful way? Wear adds charm to some materials (such as leather and canvas), while other materials simply crack, scratch, and take on a frayed look.
- Start using your own bags. Analyze what you like and don't like about them. This will also allow you to promote your bags if you plan on selling them.
Warnings
- There are far more unknown designers than famous ones. Before you start bagging professionally, consider having a backup source of income.
- Don't be surprised if people start comparing the price of your bags with the mass-produced bags you can buy at any major store. People may not say it explicitly, but you will always understand it. Gently remind them that when they buy a bag from you, they leave money in their country, while bulk bags are made in countries with cheap labor, and in addition, your bags are a unique design solution. Point out what makes your bags stand out from the rest - it can be design, construction, special materials, and so on. At the same time, don't give away your professional secrets - a competitor hiding behind the mask of an ordinary buyer is usually difficult to identify.

The basic rule of any fashionista is that there are never enough bags. From a small clutch to a shopping bag. There should be a lot. A bag - the color of shoes, under a dress, under a coat, of which there are 10 pieces, for an event, for something else - I haven’t thought of it yet. In general, if a girl has a wardrobe for clothes, then the second one is for bags. Fashion bags will always be in demand. Where there is demand, there is business. Profitable business in the production of bags. And not only women.

Do you know how many types of bags humanity uses? Stop. Before we know that there are more than 20 main types for women only, we should know the main advantages of bags as a business object of production.

Bag manufacturing has the following advantages:

The product has no expiration date and does not deteriorate.
Bags have a wide geography of demand, that is, in the language of the layman, they buy bags anywhere in the world.
They are worn at any time of the year, regardless of the season.
They are made from various materials - from fabric to leather. Therefore, even a small production, constrained in funds, can quickly launch the production of fashionable bags from affordable materials.
Having a constant flow of customers. The product is in demand not only among the female; it is also used by a strong half of humanity under a laptop; and youth - as a backpack.

And, as you will learn below, the production of bags does not require large capital investments. Any sewing and furrier association can easily master the production of all types of bags - from women's to men's.

The most popular types of women's bags for profitable production

Of course, there are a lot of men's bags, but, let's be honest, women are the main target audience of this product. And any enterprise that wants to be profitable first of all masters the production of these types. And then expands its range.

If this is the first time you see the name of certain types of bags, go up to any girl and ask her about it. You are provided with an hour lecture about the type, its pros, cons, differences and applicability. It will be interesting.

Classic clutch (ladies' purse, Wristlet);
Women's backpack (Backpack)- one of the most fashionable women's accessories today;
Dome Bag (Home)- a bag that looks like fluffy white bread with a rounded top. The rigid framework provides high reliability of a bag;
Cover bag (Envelope)- one of the types of large clutches, similar to an envelope for letters;
Sling- women's backpack with one wide strap;
Minaudière— a clutch with a rigid body of the correct form, decorated with sequins, gold embroidery or rhinestones;
Belt bags (Fanny pack);
Bucket bag;
Messenger bag;
Round women's bag (Circle);
Travel case (Train case)- despite the name, it is used as a cosmetic bag;
Shopper bag- one of the most capacious and comfortable women's bags;
Folding clutch (Foldover clutch)- a flat clutch folded in half;
Drawstring bag (Drawstring)- a canvas, less often leather, bag, pulled together from above by a drawstring. Very convenient for visiting gyms. The main advantage is cheap and practical.
Rigid bag (Structured)- a business women's bag, in profile it represents the shape of a triangle;
Bag on a chain (Chain strap)— instead of a strap, a stylish chain is used;
"Baguette" (Baguette)- a small women's handbag elongated along the length;
Pill bag (Medicine)- bag-pouch, hung around the neck. They put keys, money, medicines or a phone in it;
Crescent bag- a baggy small handbag in the form of a crescent;
Hobo- baggy large shapeless bag. A kind of shopper;

It is typical that one enterprise can master the production of all types of bags. A well-established sales will allow him to quickly sell the finished product.

In addition to the difference in types, as you already know, the material of manufacture also differs. By choosing one or another material, you can master various areas of production.

Leather bags: the most sought-after product at any time of the year

According to statistics, bags made of leather material are most often sold. And it does not matter: artificial or genuine leather.

To reduce costs, it is advisable to rent a small room, hire people, and supply the necessary equipment. And sell the finished batch of handbags through any points of sale, having previously agreed with the management.

Eco bags: a new business and fashion trend

Probably, many have already heard about eco-bags. As you know, polyethylene does not decompose and spoils the environment. Therefore, they have become a trend in European and American countries. This has also gradually become fashionable in Russian business.

These are canvas bags made of a material containing polyester. These are such durable “string bags” that can be washed and worn again. They are not torn, and long handles are thrown over the shoulder. It is not only fashionable, but also cheap.

You just need to find a similar material, hire seamstresses and stamp bags. Yes, and the implementation of such bags is a very profitable business. Since in some stores instead of a plastic bag they began to offer eco-bags. It is necessary to find such outlets, negotiate with management and sell batch after batch on an ongoing basis.

Exclusive: bags are always in price

If financial opportunities allow, some people have a need to distinguish themselves with the uniqueness of accessories. This also applies to bags. That is, connoisseurs of quality and fashion want to wear something exclusive, original. To create truly chic bags, it takes experienced craftsmen who have dealt with designer tailoring. However, the procedure is not so cheap.

Individual tailoring for a particular person requires certain skills. But still, there are many clients in this area. They are willing to buy goods at a high cost. This segment is completely focused on the quality of tailoring. But taking into account the wishes of customers, you can create similar bags for mass sale, if the budget allows.

If the product is in demand, then there are competitors!

Every business has competitors. However, everyone knows that customers are usually lured by the low cost of products. This is especially true for deliveries from China. But, as a rule, their price is cheap, and the quality corresponds to the cost.

Many buyers know this, but they are forced to buy Chinese goods, since exclusive ones are many times more expensive. Their prices literally "bite". But there is a variant of the "golden mean". Customers would be happy to buy domestic goods, at an average price category, albeit not so cheap, but more reliable and of better quality. This applies to everything; and bag quality society; and the quality of the hardware used.

Technique: the minimum set of equipment required for production

Before starting the process, you need to take care of the availability of equipment. It includes the following details:

sewing machine;
ironing installation (board, iron);
cutting table;
equipment for inserting accessories into bags.

And, of course, scissors, needles, punches. Plus, you may also need equipment designed for embossing, gluing devices, trimming and edge processing equipment. To reduce costs, you can later automate production.

It is clear that machines for home use are not even worth buying. Only factory equipment can cope with such loads. In order to avoid questions about how to fix the breakdowns, it is recommended to immediately agree with the supplier of the machines about the service. To reduce costs, you should pay attention to used machines.

Stages of bag production technology

Despite the variety of types of bags and handbags, the manufacturing process differs little. Therefore, it can be expressed in generalized stages of production:

Preparation of preliminary sketches, handbag design;
Making patterns with maximum precision. Special attention should be paid to this point;
Make cutting material according to patterns;
Sew or connect individual components;
Sew on the lining of the bag, if provided;
Insert fittings - buttons, locks and other necessary accessories;
Quality control of finished products, elimination of defects.

It's all about the staff: good employees - good bags

Of course, it is not possible for one seamstress to observe all the above stages of production. Need to hire a few employees. The number of people depends on the volume of the conceived business idea. You can do it yourself, by completing a series of steps. That will be much more profitable. Then, as production grows, recruit craftsmen, expand the range and open a sales department for products.

To whom to sell the finished product?

This is the most important question that needs to be answered before the start of production. Sewing beautiful handbags is not the main task. It is important to realize them in order to make a profit. There are 2 options for the implementation of the finished product.

1. Through the website and plus open a point in any shopping center. At the same time, two more employees need to be hired. One will be promoting online via the Internet, and the second will be the seller. Suitable for small industries that can meet demand within the same region.

2. Find customers who will help sell the product. As a rule, these are handbag stores, boutiques. And there is no need to hire additional new employees. Enough time to expand production. Suitable for those factories ready to meet the demand within the whole country.

As can be seen from the article, the production of bags is a quite profitable type of business that does not require large investments. There are many types of bags, each has its own demand. And such enterprises, in addition to bags, can always master the production of a similar assortment - wallets, belts, suitcases, covers, and so on. To do this, you don’t even have to change the equipment, just change the set of patterns.

Fashionistas dearly love the American brand Michael Kors for its democratic style and recognizable style. Compared to other brands, Michael Kors pursues a sparing pricing policy, releasing three lines of accessories (bags of the budget line are sewn in Asian factories), so that every fashionista can afford a quality bag.

But the democratic approach did not save branded American accessories from forgery. Moreover, cunning sellers sell masterfully executed replicas at the prices of the originals.

Agree, it's a shame to pay $ 500 and become a victim of fraud. We will tell you what you should pay attention to in order to buy the original.

Instructions on the differences between the original and fake Michael Kors:

1. Label color

The label hanging on the handles of the bag can only be light brown. The rest of the colors are definitely fake.

Read the text on the price tag. Correct option: the material and color of the bag, article number, size, code, price in US dollars are indicated.

In products of the first line, information about the bag is contained in a booklet enclosed in a box in the form of an envelope, which lies in the bag.

2. Metal logo

Sewn on or tied to a drawstring, it hangs on most Michael Kors bags. Fakes can be supplied with it, but from low-quality metal, inaccurately cast, with fuzzy letters MK or not matching in color with the rest of the fittings.

3. "Oak" skin

The hallmark of Michael Kors bags is hard "corrugated" leather, which gives the bag extra weight (consider the weight of the brand's bags before buying), but makes it indestructible.

Models can be made from soft Italian leather, but the material still holds its shape reliably (if an authentic bag is bent and held for some time, it will take its original shape).

4. Heavy square fittings

Michael Kors bags are heavy not only due to the leather, but also due to high-quality fittings. Details of products of a fashion house (clasps, buckles) usually have a square shape - a trademark chip. They are laser engraved with the brand name.

5. Lining

In the bags of the first line, it is velvet or leather, in the rest it is made of soft but durable fabric, which is easy to clean from dirt with a cloth dipped in soapy water.

Inside the bag, look for a tag with the lot number and manufacturer. Do not rush to be indignant if China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Turkey are indicated - an inexpensive line is sewn in factories there. The luxury first line is produced in the USA and Italy. On fakes, they often forget to attach an internal tag.

7. Packing bag

The tidy soft dust bag comes in two proper colors: milky cream and dark brown. It can be machine washed.

Handles and hardware can be wrapped in thin bamboo paper, which is acceptable, unlike many other brands.

Brand lines differ in different prices:

The first line of Michael Kors bags (premium class from catwalk collections) made of calf, snake, python skin costs several thousand dollars.
The MICHAEL Michael Kors line (affordable luxury, as the designer himself says) produces accessories for $300-400 (there are standard miniature clutches for $90).

Think carefully under what sauce and for what price the seller is trying to hand you a bag.

The information was provided by the Michael Kors Neva Time company store selling accessories, where you can buy original Michael Kors bags at the best price.

A Louis Vuitton bag is the ultimate dream for many fashion fans. This accessory is considered ideal for almost any outfit and is appropriate in any situation. The owner of the LV bag is at the same time aware of the latest trends and fashion history, has good taste and respects high quality. But, unfortunately, Louis Vuitton is too famous and popular: The history of counterfeits of brand accessories begins in the 19th century and passes into the 20th and then into the 21st with almost no changes in quantity. According to Forbes, LV bags are one of the 8 most counterfeited things in the world, along with Ugg boots, Rolex watches and even 50 euro bills. But if in the early years of the brand’s existence it was difficult to distinguish the so-called “fakes” from genuine products, now this problem can be solved in many ways, common in which are knowledge of the nuances of production and the history of the most forged fashion brand in the world.

1. There are NO discounts on Louis Vuitton.

The cost of a genuine Louis Vuitton bag is from 300 euros. Prices for wallets and other accessories start at 150 euros. Louis Vuitton is a brand that never sells or has discounts. Also, brand products cannot be sold in bulk.

ADVICE: the official website louisvuitton.com contains a list of boutiques where you will be offered genuine brand products without discounts, but with registration in the brand database, a lifetime warranty and other documents.

2. Louis Vuitton is NOT sold in multi-brand boutiques.

Louis Vuitton bags are sold only in LV branded boutiques. Fakes are offered in multi-brand boutiques and online stores. At online auctions, it is also almost impossible to purchase the original.

ADVICE: genuine Louis Vuitton bags should be purchased only in branded boutiques of the brand, and it is better abroad. In this case, you get a product that will last for many years, and if any defects occur, the specialists will properly eliminate them. Also in the Louis Vuitton boutique, your initials can be put on the bag using the “hot stamping” technology.

3. Louis Vuitton releases each bag series NOT in all colors and materials of the brand.

Each series of the Louis Vuitton brand has certain shapes, colors and is sewn from specific materials. For example, in the Multicolor series, which has been produced since 2003, the Backpack, Ellipse and Papillon models are not represented. The Cherry Blossom series, developed in 2004, does not include the Alma, Speedy, Pegase and Cabas models. Most Louis Vuitton handbags are made from a unique canvas material that cannot be replicated in a fake. The monogrammed models are predominantly made of calfskin, the Suhali line uses goat leather, while the Lockit and Alma bags are made of alligator leather. In 2009, models with elements of python skin were released, and Galliera bags can be made both from this skin and from canvas. Leather elements on classic Louis Vuitton models should have a light caramel hue when purchased, which becomes darker, honey when worn. A fake can also impersonate the color and material of the lining. The original Speedy and Batignolles with the classic LV monogram are always lined in brown cotton canvas. The Speedy Damier Azur has a beige lining and the Speedy Damier Ebony has a red lining. The lining in the white bags of the Multicolor line is red, in the black bags it is grey-beige.

ADVICE: to buy an original Louis Vuitton, you need to know the history of the brand. Therefore, before choosing a bag, study the site Louis Vuitton.com. Look at the model you are interested in, study its shape, color and details. In the boutique, pay attention to the fact that real bags go on sale with handles wrapped in cellophane, but on the trading floor they are displayed without it.

4. Modern Louis Vuitton DOES NOT have labels and patches with the brand name, as well as material samples on the outside of the bag.

Modern Louis Vuitton bags have brand name patches on the inside of the bag. On vintage models, the owner's name patch may be located on the outside. Labels on Louis Vuitton bags are located in the pocket or inside the bag. The price tag can also be packed in an envelope. Samples of the material from which they are made cannot be attached to genuine products.

ADVICE: Check for the code on the LV bag. All models released since 1995 have a code consisting of two letters and four numbers. It must be identical on every part of the bag, including the enclosed wallet.

5. The elements of each type of Louis Vuitton monogram can NOT look different.

The classic Monogram Toile canvas bags have been in production since 1966. Since then, the monogram Not has changed. Logos in traditional models, as well as in products of the Multicolore, Cerises, Vernis, etc. series, are horizontally symmetrical with respect to the handles, center and sides of the bag. The monograms can be reversed on one side of the product if it is made from a single piece of leather without a seam on the bottom (like the Keepall, Papillon and Speedy models).

ADVICE: The logo is an iconic element of the Louis Vuitton fashion house, so pay close attention to the placement of the monograms when buying. Each bag is designed with logos and graphics in mind, so the logo cannot be cut, stitched or misaligned. An inverted monogram is allowed only on bags not made in France, because there they are not sewn from a single piece of leather. There are no red symbols in real bags of the Multicolore line , and logos of the same color cannot be placed side by side. A total of 33 colors are used in this series' monogram: 24 for the flowers and 9 for the LV logos.

6. A Louis Vuitton bag can NOT contain manufacturing defects.

Louis Vuitton bags are always sewn symmetrically and neatly. Low-quality fakes are eliminated at the price determination stage, but expensive fakes often have imperfections that cannot be found in the originals. So, all metal parts on the originals are marked Louis Vuitton or LV. On a triangle with a key, the inscription is located at the bottom close to the edge, and the key hole itself should be deep and have a metal pin inside in the middle. Under the hole should be an engraving of Louis Vuitton.

ADVICE: Before buying a Louis Vuitton bag, examine its seams. They should be small and perfectly even. On the same elements of the bag, the line consists of one number of stitches. There should always be 10 on the corner, and 5 on the loop connecting the handles to the base. On the back of the leather triangle of the Speedy bag, the size is indicated - 30, 45 or 55.

Most Louis Vuitton bags are made in France. But originals can also be produced in Spain, Germany, Italy or the USA. Modern "Made in USA" bags can only be sold in the USA.

ADVICE: Read the label on the bag carefully. On the original, the registered trademark icon "R" should be located on top, after it - the brand name "Louis Vuitton", then - the word "Paris". The bottommost inscription is the country of origin in the format "Made in ...". If there is a metal tablet on the outside, the information on it must be indicated in the following form: "Depose En France Et A L'etranger Louis Vuitton - Inventeur - 101, Avenue Des Champs Elysees, Paris".

8. A Louis Vuitton bag can NOT be packed in multiple ways.

The original Louis Vuitton packaging also has a number of features. The metal parts of the new bag are not covered with cloth or cellophane. Upon purchase, the product is wrapped in white paper and sealed with a sticker - rectangular with the Louis Vuitton inscription or round with the LV logo. Next, the product is placed in a branded case of light yellow or mustard color (depending on the country of origin). The bag in a cover is placed in a box of dark brown color with a beige sliding part. The box has a special tongue for easy opening and is tied on top with a rubber rope similar in texture to leather. The package in which the packed bag is placed is made of dense, slightly rough dark brown material and has wicker handles.

ADVICE: check the inscription on the package in which the product you purchased is placed. The original package is marked "LOUIS VUITTON - Maison Fonde'e en 1854 - Paris", and the presence of all the words and their order are crucial. Also, genuine products have two labels, one of which contains the names of the line and the material of the bag, and the other has a barcode, the model name in French and the date number. Labels are not attached to the bag.

Legend

Even the world's celebrities are not immune from Louis Vuitton fakes. At one of the social events, Victoria Beckham was seen with a fake brand. After this embarrassment, Marc Jacobs, creative director of LV, sent the star an original bag with a note. "Darling, keep the brand."

Warnings