To have this exclusive Gucci wallet, you will have to save money that is not in small budget to buy it. But if you get it, you won’t be disappointed because Gucci wallet designs are so good with the best materials from the best leather quality in the world. And imagine you will have one of the best wallets in the world. How does it feel? Exciting right?” The Nation Shopping stumbled on this caption of a promo on the sale of a Gucci branded wallet.
For this particular brand of wallet, some would not hesitate to buy it no matter the price. Why would anyone spend so much? It is the brand and quality of the product. For some designer freaks, the brand name of an item determines its quality.
Many social events always begin with the red carpet and people endeavour to look their best to walk the red carpet, knowing that it puts them on the spotlight.
There, designer labels reign supreme. Many are proud to state that they are wearing a Gucci pair of glasses, a Prada bag, a Dolce and Gabbana shirt, Luis Vuitton shoes, and the list goes on. Some go to any length to obtain these famous designer items. Many online stores, such as Dress for Less and Amazon, always ensure they have them in stock.
If you open such sites, they will not delay in showing you that they have suitable designer clothes for men, women and children. They will not just stop there. They go on to list some of the designers in question. Some highly rated brands include: Armani, Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, Nike, DKNY, Versace, Hawks and Curtis, Calvin Klein, Luis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Burberry, Chloe, Christian Dior, Thierry Hermes, Hugo Boss, Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Dior, among others.
Several malls such as the Ikeja City Mall, The Palms, Mega Plaza and City Mall, Onikan stock designer label clothes and accessories for everyone. Some shops on Allen Avenue and Opebi, Ikeja also have them. You can also ask your favourite store to help you get them while sourcing for their goods.
At various shopping malls, some stores are proud to sell clothes with these designer labels.
Many of those who spoke to The Nation Shopping acknowledged that a designer label on one’s outfit boosts the person’s image. However, some would not be bothered. For this group, what matters is for the attire to fit perfectly.
Ms Tonia Osagie, a business woman, said: “Designer wears are good. They give you prestige. To tell you the truth, if I have to go without food to save up for a designer outfit, I will certainly do so.”
Donning a Prada skirt and a Marks and Spencer blouse, she said: “When I was an undergraduate at the University of Calabar, I did not have much money to purchase them because they were more expensive than a student of my calibre could afford. But do you know what my friends and I used to do? We would come all the way to Yaba to buy them at the second hand clothing section. Though Yaba Market has disintegrated now, it used to be a great place to shop for such items. We had customers who always prepared for our coming. So, they would select the good designer clothes and bags in their stock and we would choose from them.
“Besides, the truth about designer labels is that people know they are worth a great deal so they rate you high and respect you. I actually went into the business of importing clothes, especially those from famous designers, because, like me, those who know their worth will always buy.”
The Nation Shopping met Mr Raymond Ugoeze at the Nike shop at The Palms Mall, Lekki during a discount sale. He said: “I always look out for sales like this because it means the price will come down. Actually, I had always been indifferent to labels but a friend of mine, Paul, convinced me on how good it feels to wear them. I, particularly, observed that if you are with those people you could call ‘society people’, it matters. In fact, my eyes opened to the importance people attach to them when I was privileged to attend the Hip-hop-World Awards in 2008 at Planet One. It was amazing how people flaunted designer outfits on the red carpet. There, people took pride in stating the various designers whose wears they wore. I also noticed many took delight in the fact that they were imported.”
A public relations practitioner, Mrs Silo Bankole, declared: “I love designer bags. I cannot carry a bag that has no name.”
And some brands have a way with their style. For instance, the promoters of Rolex would rather have you simply call it Rolex and not Rolex wristwatch. For them, the brand is synonymous with style and quality. Among their slogan is ‘we do not build watches, we make history’.
On why people go for items by international brands, a designer wristwatch collector, Mr Adamson Dike, noted: “Generally, the old adage, you get what you pay for is true. You pay for the brand name, but you also pay for the quality that particular company has worked so hard to attain, to earn writing that amount on the price tag.”
The brand names have stood the test of time, distinguished themselves and outlived even their founders. They did not only carve a niche for themselves, but they continue imputing different flavours that keep them fresh and constantly endear them to shoppers.
House of Gucci, a luxury Italian fashion and leather goods house, was founded in 1921 and has gone through various phases after the death of its founder, Guccio Gucci. It is the biggest-selling Italian brand with about 278 directly operated stores worldwide and it wholesales its products through franchisees and upscale department stores. Gucci distinguished itself as one of the world’s most successful manufacturers of high-end leather goods, clothing, and other fashion products. As an immigrant in Paris and London, working in exclusive hotels, young Guccio Gucci (1881–1953) was impressed with the luxury luggage he saw sophisticated guests bring with them. He created works with perfect finishing that would suit such sophisticated people. The Gucci brand may be found in luggage, handbags, sunglasses, as well as in perfumes.
Gabrielle Coco Chanel (1883-1971) created feminine fashion that provided the feeling of luxury and combined traditional women’s clothing with styles, fabrics, and articles of clothing used by men. She felt comfortable wearing sports jackets and men’s ties in casual settings. Her fashion revolution liberated women to express their femininity with elegance and grace. Chanel’s logo is seen on perfumes, purses, shoes and jewellery.
Prada was founded by Mario Prada and his brother in 1913 when they opened a luxurious boutique in Milan. The shop included imported silver, Austrian crystal, and exquisite leather handbags and luggage. Its tradition of high-quality distinctive goods continues today.
Gianni Versace (1946-1997) became interested in fashion working in his mother’s small dress shop. His first commercial success was the design of a line of clothes for Florentine Flowers in 1972. Versace continued a successful clothing design career in Milan. By 1978, he had become a design leader of women’s and men’s fashions.
Jean-Paul Gaultier (1952) is a French fashion designer who never received formal design training. He started sending sketches to famous couture stylists, and Pierre Cardin hired him as an assistant in 1970. His first individual collection was released in 1976. By 1981, he was known for irreverent, provocative designs, and for using unconventional models in his exhibitions, such as old and fat women, or tattooed and pierced models.
Born in 1939, Ralph Lauren is a designer of affordable casual dress. In 1967, he purchased the Polo label and launched a world-wide fashion empire that includes clothing lines for men and women. His business ventures have also diversified to include home decor.
Giorgio Armani gained fame and success with his streamlined tailoring, imaginative designs and sophisticated choice of materials for many Hollywood personalities. Some of his alluring couture creations use animal prints, satin, velvet, and sparkling Swarovski crystals which shimmer with every movement of the body.
Tommy Hilfiger (1951- ) struggled when he started his business selling jeans and sportswear. The Hilfiger brand now is licensed for an extensive collection of men’s and women’s wear, children’s wear, footwears, eyeglasses, fragrances, and home furnishings.
Domenico Dolce (1958- ) and Stefano Gabbana (1962- ) met while working as assistants in a studio in Milan. In 1985, they took part in a fashion show featuring “New Talent”, and the following year, they presented their first independent women’s ready-to-wear show. Dolce and Gabbana have expanded their line to include menswear and fragrances in shops across the world. D&G designs feature richly coloured fabrics, outrageous Mediterranean style, extravagantly embroidered coats, gangster boss pinstripe suits, and underwear-as-outerwear.
Yves Saint Laurent (1936-2008) became notable for introducing trousers as business attire for women. He opened his Paris fashion house in 1961, featuring knitted turtlenecks, thigh-length boots and women’s broad-shouldered trouser suits. The Yves St. Laurent logo is synonymous with high fashion and it is featured on eyeglasses, purses, perfumes, shoes, and cosmetics.
