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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4.5
TOTAL: 4.21
Brand Website: ysl.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Yves Saint Laurent, also known as Saint Laurent or YSL, is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1961 by designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé. The company specializes in haute couture, ready-to-wear fashion, leather accessories, and footwear. In addition to fashion, it has a cosmetics line known as YSL Beauty. The brand was officially established in 1962.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
CRITERIA | 5 (Very Strong) | 4 (Strong) | 3 (Mixed) | 2 (Limited) | 1 (Not Present) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leather | A perfect balance of art and fashion of leather tanning. Rare and artisanal hides from exceptional tanneries | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries | Average corrected leathers that do NOT require high-quality raw hides. Less info on the source of the leather | Low-quality leather choice with significantly less information about the sourcing practice. | Inferior sketchy leather derivates or non-leather materials. |
Hardware | Top of the line Stainless Steel or Brass Hardware with Highest Caliber Coatings | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. | Alloy hardware with acceptable coating. Lifetime may be impacted due to the coating of the hardware. | Serious flaws in the making and coating of the low-grade alloy hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. | Non-metal, plastic, and non-durable hardware that is harmful to humans and the planet. |
Design | A professional design language that is unique and consistent with the brand | A creative take on a classical design concept | Minimal changes to common styles | Almost copy of common/famous designs. Dysfunctional elements. | Problematic design elements affect the functionality, durability, and aesthetics of the product. |
Engineering | Highly organized, sophisticated shape and form engineering with high-quality materials inside the craft. | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure | Acceptable cleanliness of inner work with medium-quality support materials | Messy inside with low-grade support elements | Complete lack of inner structure and craftsmanship. |
Craftsmanship | Expert craftsmanship with flawless, hand or machine stitching, demonstrating advanced skills. No visible errors; edge paint is avoided using superior techniques. | Perfect machine stitching with excellent edge finishing. Immaculate inside and out, with no visible flaws, showing a commitment to quality. | Good overall stitching and alignment with minor flaws. Acceptable edge finishing, with fairly clean interior and exterior. | Noticeable misalignment and sloppy workmanship. Multiple errors affect visual appeal, with untidy interior work. | Poor craftsmanship with missed stitches, visible errors, and uncleaned residues. Major issues that may affect durability. |
Overall Score | An incredible value for money that I have no problem recommending to anyone | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try | A considerable offer with a relatively high price. Make your choice at your own discretion | Consider it well within your own criterion as the quality/price is not a decision point I can recommend here | Stay away! |
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
SCORE | NAME | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
5 | Strong Yes | ⭐ This grade is given to brands that present great value for the price they charge you for their product. I have no problem confidently recommending you check their products. These are the brands I reach out to ask if they can give me an affiliate link so your purchases using my link can support my content efforts. |
4 | Yes | 👍 This indicates that the brand meets all my expectations from the perspective of price and information they have about their products. I would happily buy their products at this level of quality/value score. This is the only other category of brands I request an affiliate link to support this channel to improve my Leathertainment content. |
3 | Mixed | ➖ There are areas that I found less than desirable for the quality/price performance I appreciate personally. Some high-end luxury brands may fall under this category given I am looking for tangible value in the products, ignoring the intangible brand prestige they may offer as a value to their customers. I am not a customer of these brands and I wouldn’t recommend them to my audience if they do NOT value brand logos. |
2 | No | 👎 This indicates that the product and the brand failed my expectations in significant ways and I won’t recommend them to anyone. |
1 | Strong No | ❌ This is the lowest assessment and indicates fundamental issues in the product and/or the brand. I would say look somewhere else. |
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis: Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Yves Saint Laurent (YS)L as a brand?
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Unlocking the Truth Behind Luxury - YSL Loulou Bag
Yves Saint Laurent's Loulou Bag
Watch the videos here:
In today's saturated market of leather luxury goods, the allure of a recognizable logo paired with a hefty price tag often tricks consumers into believing they're investing in true luxury. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that not all products live up to their prestigious branding.
Take, for instance, the iconic Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Loulou bag. In a quest to unravel the mystique surrounding this accessory, I embarked on a journey to the YSL flagship store in Paris to dissect every element of its design and construction. As I delve into the examination of this bag, I intend to uphold a guiding principle, ensuring a thorough assessment of the five vital components that constitute its essence: design, leather quality, hardware, craftsmanship, and structural integrity. What I uncovered challenges the notion of luxury in the modern fashion landscape.
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I purchased all of these products myself and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned in any way. All statements and expressions made about the products are solely the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein and are not meant to be conclusive or definitive. The purpose of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research on the products before adopting the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein.
Design and Hardware: Peeling Back the Layers
Luxury, by its essence, should exude rarity, exclusivity, or sophistication. Yet, as I scrutinized the YSL Loulou bag, its design revealed nothing extraordinary. While boasting a classical crossbody shape with a refined quilt element, it lacks the innovation or uniqueness expected from a true luxury item.
Similarly, the hardware, though above-average quality, falls short of the top-of-the-line craftsmanship synonymous with luxury brands. This begs the question: can a bag truly be luxurious if its design and hardware fail to captivate with distinction?
Leather and Craftsmanship: Unveiling the Truth
Shifting my focus to the leather component of the bag. At first glance, the grain appears polished, uniform, and standardized, contributing to a pleasing aesthetic and tactile sensation. While the finish is not overly excessive, there are subtle indications of corrective treatment. However, to conduct a more thorough analysis, I must delve deeper into the bag by opening it up.
As I carefully dissect the bag, the adhesive residue inadvertently removes some of the surface finish, revealing its composition as top-grain leather treated with a modern finishing technique known as micro finish. Unlike traditional methods requiring hides and rawhides, this technique imparts a standard yet visually appealing appearance to the leather. Despite its commendable quality, the leather fails to evoke a sense of true luxury in my assessment.
Moving on to craftsmanship, my initial assessment from the exterior reveals meticulous attention to detail, with no apparent flaws. However, my final judgment on craftsmanship is reserved until I inspect the interior of the bag. Upon scrutiny, the interior reveals a commendable level of cleanliness, organization, and attention to detail. This aspect stands out as the highlight of the bag, meeting the expectations one would have for a product of this caliber.
Structure and Pricing: Unraveling the Paradox
Lastly, let's assess the structural integrity of the bag. To maintain its desired shape, engineers must carefully select and position inner support materials. Upon examining the interior, I observe precisely engineered components strategically placed to provide necessary reinforcement and ensure the bag retains its intended form. While this aspect of the bag's construction is commendable, it does not present any remarkable challenges or innovations. Nevertheless, it meets the standards expected of a bag of this caliber.
Considering the comprehensive evaluation of all elements, I estimate the production cost of a bag of similar quality and size to be approximately $190 in Italy. However, the retail price of this bag in the US is a staggering $2,900, resulting in a price multiplier of 15x. Such a significant markup suggests a luxury price tag, yet fails to align with my perception of true luxury. It prompts a critical question: what justifies the luxury premium if not the intrinsic quality of the product itself?
The Illusion of Luxury: Decoding the Logo Effect
At the core of the luxury conundrum lies the influence of branding. The prestige associated with a recognizable logo often eclipses the intrinsic quality of the product, shaping consumer perceptions and fueling demand.
Let's explore this further through a hypothetical scenario. Picture if I were to remove the distinctive logo from this bag and replace it with a generic one, perhaps labeled simply as "A." Now, if we were to price this bag using a standard multiplier of 4, it would amount to approximately $750 to $800. Would you still feel compelled to purchase it? It's likely that many of you wouldn't find the same allure in a bag lacking the iconic logo, underscoring the profound impact branding has on perceived value.
So, what motivates individuals to invest $2,900 in this particular bag? The answer lies in the potent influence of branding. Luxury fashion executives have mastered the art of cultivating an aura around esteemed logos, offering consumers a slice of the coveted luxury lifestyle. However, this democratized luxury often comes at a cost. In order to meet high demand, compromises may be made in production, potentially compromising the integrity of the product.
Embracing Authenticity: A Path to Fulfillment
In an era defined by materialism and consumerism, the pursuit of luxury often leads to disillusionment. The relentless chase for status symbols perpetuates a cycle of dissatisfaction, wherein the attainment of wealth fails to deliver the promised fulfillment. It's a phenomenon aptly captured by the "backwards law," wherein the pursuit of positive experiences yields negative outcomes. True satisfaction, it seems, lies not in the possession of luxury goods, but in the acceptance of one's present circumstances. By transcending the trappings of material desire, we unlock a path to genuine contentment.
A New Perspective: Redefining Luxury
As we reflect on the paradox of luxury, a shift in perspective emerges. True luxury resides not in the possession of branded goods, but in the cultivation of authentic experiences and connections. By reclaiming agency over our desires, we liberate ourselves from the shackles of consumerism and embrace a more meaningful existence. In this light, luxury becomes a state of being rather than a status symbol—a journey of self-discovery rather than an accumulation of possessions.
Conclusion
As I conclude my exploration of the Loulou bag, let us remember that true luxury cannot be bought—it must be lived. By questioning the illusions of branding and embracing authenticity, we embark on a journey towards genuine fulfillment.
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 4.29
Criteria | Score | Results |
|---|---|---|
Leather | 4.5 | Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries |
Hardware | 4 | Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. |
Design | 4 | A creative take on a classical design concept |
Engineering | 4 | Clean and quality inner support materials and structure |
Craftsmanship | 4.5 | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium: 5 to 6 x multiplier pricing. |
OVERALL SCORE | 4.21 | Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try |
PRICE / COST MULTIPLIER | 5x | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium. |
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