A SYMBOL OF HOPE, RENEWAL AND NEW LIFE

Happy Easter holiday everyone. Thinking about making a post about the famous Faberge egg and its history during this weekend. Although I am not ardor believer, and do not usually comment religious issues – this quote seems valid no matter what the day, holiday or decision – just related to Easter this time. Enjoy these resting days my friends, and eat lots of chocolate eggs!

Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.

 Janine di Giovanni

GIRL WITH LV BAG & NO PERSONALITY; WHY TO BUY LUXURY GOODS

Image from Pinterest.com

#OPINION I need to write this open. And just hope, that people would not be so arrogant and wrong about things they don't know.

LUXURY GOODS, LV PLASTIC BAGS AND WE WHO HAVE NO PERSONALITY

I came a cross an comment, from my friend on Facebook where he questioned “why people want to buy an expensive plastic bag that everyone has”. This conversations was lit up by an article about the current state of the hierarchy of luxury brands (Business Insider, March 2015). As the text pointed out, luxury items and labels are the most efficient “way to show off wealth, and there is a flood of new millionaires around the world who like showing off”. The wide spreading of the luxury goods and their trend value has caused an expected reaction among the superrich. As the luxury brands become easily accessible for everyone, their popularity decreases in these elite circles. Article gives us an harsh example: Louis Vuitton “is considered a brand for secretaries by many wealthy Chinese”. You can find the article here.

As the commenting to why people put money on expensive bags that everyone has continued, naive accusations like “most people don't have personality” was thrown in the air and that is usually when my blood gets boiling.

To return to the original article about the pyramid of luxury brands, for everyone who has taken interest in luxury industry during the last five or ten years – Business Insiders article wasn't news. Here is a chart used in the article also, which illustrates the pyramid of luxury brands (photo from The Bling Dynasty). 

We all have our own different reasons why some of us are so devoted to consuming luxury goods and prefer the expensive Louis Vuitton plastic bag over some cheaper version of it from H&M etc. But what I tried to do here for you, was to gather some reasons and wise quotes why luxury items would actually be a better investment in many cases. Now, I'm not trying to start a war or say that high-end goods are for everyone or the one and only right answer – I'm only giving some reason behind our choices to favor luxury brands and free those naive minds who claim that having a over popular Neverfull or Alma* means we lack personality. 

*Neverfull and Alma are popular Louis Vuitton bags with classical design and huge demand.

PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL CONNECTED, PART OF SOMETHING

Our human nature drive us to reform groups and unions – so we have sport clubs, political views that separate or brings different people together, we have book clubs and cooking courses: for spending time around things we love and bring us pleasure. If luxury goods do the same for some people, why is it so hard to see as one way to feel part of some group, style and community?

For some, enjoying a beautiful and well made bag it's a dear hobby: some have golf, expensive watches, art or cars, why collecting luxury fashion or accessories is not seen the same way? Some collect butterflies – somebody explain how set of gorgeous designer bags for example is in any way different?

Saskia de Brauw for Louis Vuitton, Celebrating Monogram 2014 / Saint Laurent Spring 2013, photographed by Mikael Jansson for Interview – March issue

"BECAUSE FAST FASHION HAS SKEWED MOST PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES ARE WORTH IN THE FIRST PLACE"

Amanda Mull from Purseblog.com: Fine materials cost money, as does employing skilled workers and paying them a fair wage. In a world filled with Forever 21s and H&Ms, it's easy to forget that those sorts of things still have value to some companies, and it warps shoppers' conceptions of how much it costs to make high-quality products. Don't let other people's opinions of how much things should cost make you feel guilty - they likely have no idea what they're talking about (blog post: 8 Reasons Spending $1,000 or More on a Bag is Totally Worth It).

"WHY I CAN'T AFFORD CHEAP"

Andy Budd: Too poor to buy cheap. That simple phase really resonated with me and has stuck with me ever since. Cheap is quick. Cheap is dirty. Cheap is disposable. Cheap breaks. Cheap costs money. It costs money to fix, it costs money to replace. Cheap seems like a good idea at the time but cheap fails when you most need it. Cheap is flimsy and unsatisfying. Cheap is inefficient. Cheap gets in your way. Cheap costs you time and it costs you customers. Cheap always cost you more in the end. That’s why I can’t afford to buy cheap. Can you? (Blog post by Andy Budd, 2009. Find the post here.)

Photograph by Mario Testino, model Raquel Zimmermann and styled by Carine Roitfeld herself for the August 2008 issue of Vogue Paris / The Spirit of Travel-campaign from Louis Vuitton

HIGH-END GOODS ARE NOT USUALLY IMPULSIVE BUYS FOR MOST OF US

Perrie Samotin: Like social media, today’s world is also jam-packed with online promotions, flash sales, and deals. While these can be a fantastic if you’re legitimately in the market for something, they can be pretty dangerous for the casual shopper who—when she woke up this morning—had no idea she needed or wanted.. After all, most impulse buys end up causing serious cases of buyer’s remorse. (StyleCaster, 2014. Find the post here.)

LUXURY ITEMS (ESPECIALLY ACCESSORIES AND FASHION) USUALLY ARE MORE THAN ONE-SEASON WONDERS
My point exactly.

Photo from Pinterest.com / Henry Clarke, 1950's traveling in style (photo from Pinterest.com)

PERSONALITY: ALL FASHION IS COPYING

I'm not going to even go there with the comment that noted having a popular LV bag would be the thing for people who do not have personality – you think you have personality when you wear low-budget, no-label clothes mixed and matched. Like no one else has that same t-shirt, or sneakers? Really? If copying or mass trends means no personality, then the only way is to start making our own clothes then. But wait, you would still probably use same fabrics as someone else. This ain't working.

As the commenting got more heated, it was sarcastically presented that our brain has already made the purchase choice based on purely emotional reasons (like wanting to be cool and feel good) before it could go through rational reasons and maybe pros and cons of investing a high-end goods (bare in mind here, that we are talking about making the decision to buy expensive, quality item versus low-budget good). Now, we can totally assume that the brain functions this way, but it's really important to mention – this comprehends to all purchases that are meant to make us feel good and not just high-end goods.

Photograph by Steve Kraitt / Jeanloup Sieff, Vogue Paris, 1978

Luxury and high-end goods do not always mean the well-known names and fashion houses like Prada, Cartier or Tag Heuer, but also the old, family companies who promote their roots and highly developed craftsmanship which is the luxury – what else?

All in all, we can wrap this topic up now. Luxury goods are not for everyones taste and that's the beauty of expressing yourself (note: personality?). Trends have always been the physical reflection of our culture at that state. Monogram patter or Chanel knitting can be viewed as our generations logo, statament and attitude. Hippy style and rock'n'roll eras have all been same kind of cultural mirrors – and people tend to forget that we are dealing with the same idea here! I am pretty sure I'm gonna face many more arrogant conversations about why on earth girls like me want to spend a lot of money for a plastic bag, that everyone has and with that reveal my lack of personality. Next time, I'm just gonna be like I can't even. 

Both photos from Pinterest.com

DEAR ESTONIA

Today Estonia celebrates Independence Day by having a solemn and prestige parade (followed by Independence Day reception and banquet) in Narva city, which is located in the eastern extreme point of Estonia. Today we honor Estonia's never giving up spirit and are amazed how small yet plucky country has developed itself and held it together while bigger parties fail and loose their shit. 

Introducing the beautiful and breathtaking Estonia; here you have gorgeous places accompanied with estonian supermodels.

# Germany attacked Estonia during the WW1 in 1918, so taking advantage of these actions, Estonia declared its independence in 24th February 1918. 

Lighthouse (photo above, left): In 1646 Livonian governor general Gabriel Oxenstierna had a primitive lighthouse – a beacon – built on a little island located at the tip of Sõrve Peninsula. Autumn storms showed that the small island selected for the beacon was unsuitable and the beacon was relocated to the tip of Sõrve Peninsula. A stone tower was established there in 1770, but it was destroyed in the Second World War. The present cone-shaped lighthouse of monolithic concrete was built in 1960. The height of Sõrve Lighthouse from its foot is 52 metres and it is 53 metres above sea level (text Visit Estonia, photo Xltphoto).

Carmen Kass (right): The Shoot: Carmen Kass Interview – spring summer 2015. Photo by Rory Payne.

# The Treaty of Tartu in 1920 Soviet Russia recognized the independence of Estonia. It became parliamentary democracy – however, there were no president (the prime minister of state covered this position) until 1938 (Konstantin Päts). 

Karmen Pedaru (photo above, left): ELLE France "Strasser Sa Route" by Miguel Reveriego, March 2014. 

SEB Bank building, Tallinn (right): The architectural style of this high-rise building is modernism and construction started in 1997. It has 24 floors above the ground and it's 94.40 meters high (Architect bureau Raivo Puusepp OÜ). 

# The Soviet Union began to take an interest in the Baltic States and in March 1939 it announced that Estonia and Latvia belong to its sphere of interest. By the summer 1941 Estonia was integrated with the rest of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). 

Building in Tartu city (photo above, left): Photograph taken by Matthias Krüttgen, August 2012. 

Karmen Pedaru (right): Vogue Germany "High Glam" by Alexi Lubomirski, June 2013. 

# By the end of 1944 the Soviet Union had conquered Estonia. As the integrating continued so did the transportations to Siberia; over 30 000 estonians during years 1944–45 and over 60 000 people in 1949.

Tiiu Kuik (photo above, left): Photography by Vincent Peters, 2004. 

Old Town, Tallinn (right): Mündi street by Hannes Runelöf. 

# In 20th August in 1991 Estonia declares itself to be independent (again) but like other Baltic countries had the problem of russian troops still remain in the country.

Kadriorg Palace (photo above, left): Located in Tallinn. Photo Visit Estonia.  

Carmen Kass (right): Givenchy spring summer 2002 campaign. 

# Not until in August 1994 Russia pulled out its forces from Estonia.

Tiiu Kuik (photo above, left): Elle Norway by Åsa Tällgård. 

Old Town, Tallinn (right): Photo by Maison 9/2

# Estonia joined European Union and NATO in 1997. 

Keava (photo above, left): Keava, Estonia. Photo from Pinterest. 

Carmen Kass (right): Photo by Patrick Demarchelier, 1999. 

# So we hail to the dear, cute and yet magnificent country that keeps surprising us once again. Little Paris they use to say before the soviet times, and thankfully we can still sense that same feeling when we walk around old town, daydreaming.

Tiiu Kuik (photo above, left): Photo from Pinterest. 

Old Town, Tallinn (right): Photo by Stanley Chen Xi. 

BEST CHAMPAGNE BAR IN TOWN – MATTOLAITURI

The place in Helsinki for afterwork, Saturday and Sunday drinks, tanning and showing off is Mattolaituri (champagne bar/cafe/terrace) which is fully crowded everyday during the summer time. It's located near the center of Helsinki and although it is definitely not the cheapest place in town, it is the coolest and most beautiful one for sure when it comes to location, design and atmosphere. Here you can enjoy Moët Ice Imperial, take a bath in the sun and observe other really well dressed people. So put on your favorite white dress, sunnies, some LV and stay for drinks! Mattolaituri (www, open hours, address)

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