Coup de Coeur for Coo de Luxe

Let’s face it, finding your style and building a wardrobe that will last you throughout the years takes time. I’ve personally always been a partisan of buying really high quality pieces little by little, over the years, as opposed to trying to do it all at once and end up with sartorial regret (not to mention an anxiety-inducing bank account statement).

For that reason, where I usually splurge is on the more classic items that can pull a look together. You know, the pieces that no matter what, won’t really go out of style even though they may come out in different iterations over the years. As far as I’m concerned, this is even truer when it comes to handbags since they can cost a pretty penny.

Handbags Are My First Love

I can’t pin-point the exact moment in time when handbags became the pillar upon which I build my personal style.

Was it when Carrie said « it’s not a bag, it’s a Baguette » (referring to the Fendi Baguette, which has since become a cult classic)? Or during the early-aughts, when the Olsen twins with their giant sunglasses were seen dangling their beat-up Balenciaga City all over New York, Venti Starbucks latte in-hand?

What about the show The O.C., which was a cultural reset for millennials, and in which Marissa and Summer’s signature outfits were punctuated by Chanel’s latest it-bags?

You Can Now Have Your Cake And Eat It, Too!

I have vivid memories associated with some of my first luxury bag purchases and they take me back each time I wear them. My LV Speedy was bought in Salzburg during a summer vocal internship in 2010, and my Chanel Classic Flap when I was on holiday in the Côte d’Azure with my cousin in 2015. I still keep (and wear) both to this day.

I consider myself to be a pretty financially responsible person, so there hasn’t been many more of those splurges, but there are those times when a girl just wanna have fun with the latest it-bag!

When Chris from Coo de Luxe approached me to try out her luxury bag rental services, I was ecstatic (yes, handbags can do that to some of us). Finally, a chance to spice up my lewks with trendy, luxe pieces without having to remortgage my house!

I was lucky enough try the YSL Toy Loulou Puffer Pouch, as well as the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Cross-Body pouch, and I was NOT disappointed.

My Interview With Chrisanthy

I also had a chance to sit down with Chris to chat all things handbags and, as it turns out, I’m not the only one in town able to wax poetics about designer bags! Without further ado, I give you my one-on-one with her:

The Montrealista: Can you tell me where your passion for all things luxury handbags began?

Chrysanthy Boriamos: That is a very good question. I have always had an interest in fashion, and have always been pulled toward books and shows that weave fashion into their characters. Clueless, Sex and the City and Gossip Girl, to name a few, were iconic and highly influential when I get up. Where would the Fendi baguette be today if it wasn’t for Carrie Bradshaw?

I loved how the luxury bags made a statement and made sometimes a very simple outfit look so stylish. I have been collecting bags a long time, and aside from the appreciation for the heritage and craftsmanship, it’s always been about how they make me feel. Some days you don’t feel like wearing the most fashionable or highly stylish outfit, but you add that designer bag statement bag and voilà.

I mean the truth be told, you can gain weight or lose weight, but your bag will always fit you right, and that realization just makes me feel good even on my not so great days.

M: Who is your biggest purspiration (purse-inspiration, see what I did there, hehe)?

C: So witty. I love it! I have to say Carrie Bradshaw because she was daring. She had her favorites, but then she constantly experimented and took risks. She was the perfect blend of iconic and avant-garde all at the same time. She was constantly changing it up and not taking fashion too seriously.

M: How did the idea of offering a luxury bag rental service come about?

C: I love designer bags, but I also get bored of the trendier bags. A couple of years ago, I had all these events, and I needed bags, and not just the black designer bag or nude, but I was looking for more fun IT bags. They were very expensive for being bags that I didn’t know if I would wear again, but at the same time, I didn’t not want to wear the bag.

I tried to find the best of both worlds, and I realized that designer bag rentals were an actual service in the US, UK, Europe. Obviously, none of them shipped to Canada. I started thinking about doing it here and solve my problem and that of so many women who were looking for the same solution. It is a sustainable, affordable way to rock your bag while still feeling great about yourself and zero guilt.

M: What are your plans for the next couple of years with Coo de luxe?

C: Well, that is the most exciting part. We are working hard at the moment to offer our rental service across Canada, so we will hopefully be able to announce that shortly.

Aside from the rental service, I really want to position Coo de Luxe as a one-stop shop for all things bags. We launched this month our online store that has products that will keep your bags in excellent condition. From cleansing wipes, to stain removers, hardware protectors, and base shapers, we have it all, and we are in the process of expanding our offerings in those categories as well.

We also have our bag spa and bag matching and styling services that are complimentary to our main services. At the end of the day, I have set out to challenge the way we shop luxury and focus on what’s most important, feeling that we deserve to look and feel our best. I am excited for what the future holds.

M: There are many discourses circulating on social media about luxury, specifically luxury handbags. Some say the price gouging from some houses (like Chanel) have rendered luxury bags an obsolete money pit, while others are saying that consumers are tired of spending so much on a bag that will be out of fashion the next season. What is your take on this?

C: The truth is a designer bag means something, there is a feeling that goes along with it. It adds that je ne sais quoi to your outfit, without a doubt. I think consumers are in their I-want-to-have-it-all era.

They want the house, the car, the job, the family, the clothes, the vacations, and obviously the bags. Not to mention being also financially responsible. So they are prioritizing, and they are looking for ways to not have to give up one over the other, nor should they.

That’s where we come in, at least for the bags. The great thing about Coo de Luxe is that it gives women a chance to test run a bag they are thinking of buying before making the investment and avoid those types of fashion pitfalls. It is a win-win!

M: What do you think will be trending in the next few years in terms of luxury bags?

I think a future key trend will be minimalist designs. Clean lines, understated branding, and timeless Quiet luxury aesthetics. Luxury bags that embody simplicity and versatility could continue to be sought after by consumers looking for enduring style rather than fleeting trends.

I also think sustainability will be a key trend, more sustainable, eco-friendly products, and materials being used to produce luxury bags.

The Deets

The step-by-step process for renting Coo de Luxe’s handbags is thoroughly explained d on the website, but essentially, you can rent out handbags for a 3-day period starting at around $85 CAD for that period.

With new drops coming out periodically, Coo de Luxe is sure to become your new ally for any fashion emergency!