FITS AND STARTS: GENEROUS DAYANARA ON-A-LOCKDOWN VERSATILE CLUTCH BAG (022020) IN PHILIPPINES T'BOLI TRIBAL PRINT

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Sometime before March this year (2020), there was an alarming report of a disease outbreak which occurred in the central province of China. People in the United Kingdom were becoming more aware of the outbreak and exceedingly, when it started to disperse out of Wuhan, China. That is why, international news on the television and over the radio apprised and forewarned the world population of its trajectory and threat. Apart from the compiled news, there was numerous raw footage originated, in and out, of Wuhan containing leaked stories of distressed people. 

When the outbreak morphed as an epidemic then later magnified itself as an unprecedented pandemic, people around the world increasingly became agitated and mindful of its petrifying course. That is why, when it reached the domain of European countries there was a surged in the number of people being sent to hospitals as well as the mournful increased in the death toll. 

This formidable danger of Covid-19 echoed across the world. As a result, the U.K government gradually announced its lockdown guidelines for the benefit of its people, the visitors and more importantly, its NHS & all key workers. In effect, commercial establishments ceased to operate; tourist attractions were prohibited; offices/factories were dead-bolted and schools were suspended. In connection to this, residents and visitors were asked to stay-at-home at their respective residences/addresses. If and when they go out, they must abide with and practice the 2-metre social distancing rule and avoid congregating in parks etc. On an encouraging note, just last week (10 May 2020) the U.K. Government announced a strategic roadmap for Corona virus lockdown recovery; that is by organising a "stay alert" step-by-step easing/lifting of restrictions. 

In the early days of stay-at-home ordinance, the people in the U.K. either found it as a challenge or a beneficial diversion. There were individuals who unselfishly registered themselves for voluntary roles and who unconditionally assist the frail/vulnerable around their neighbourhood. Moreover, most people handled their time by tidying up hoarded stuff and by rediscovering neglected interests and passions in life. 

More than a month ago, your Quidnunc Queen Victoria completely revamped a souvenir gift from her dearest sister, Dayanara Mesmeize. The improvisation allotted by her was a combined conceptualisation, dedication and fiddle. She performed it using the convenience of stitches made from a sewing machine and the laborious needle & thimble of hand sewing. During her attempt at giving it a new appearance, she hastily made a few stitching errors that compelled her to almost give up finishing it. She even thought that she had ruined a lovely souvenir because of a radical idea. Fortunately, she didn't tear it apart but instead, learn from her mistakes. That is why, with pride and joy, here is another handcrafted pieces of Fits and Starts that is associated to the Queen of Birmingham, Dayanara Mesmeize. It has been named as the “Generous Dayanara On-A-Lockdown Versatile Clutch Bag (022020) in Philippines T'boli Tribal Print”. The T'boli (Tagabili to lowlanders) are an animist ethnic group inhabiting highland areas in southwestern Mindanao, centring on Lake Sebu (TauSebu is another of the people's names). (Source: https://www.encyclopedia.com)

The Generous Dayanara On-A-Lockdown Versatile Clutch Bag (022020) in Philippines T'boli Tribal Print is fully padded and structured in an irregular geometrical shape. It has a sheated top grab/carry handle with a pair of grommets out of remnants; a recycled metal push-lock clasp and reclaimed metal triangle flat studs feet. Additionally, it has a customised accoutrement, dust bag, with elastic opening. The reinforced contrasting fabrics utilised were from an an antiquated wool scarf and most of the scarf around the original designed bag. 

This Dayanara clutch bag has two different layers of linings: a red cotton cloth for the main interior compartment and a colourful gradient fabric for its opening flap. In order to make this “cross crawl” piece of hers more functional, she embellished it with a couple of extra details. A clashing colour interior slip in pocket and an unplanned hand sewn back exterior motley slip in pocket. 

Her handcrafted piece may not go up against and match the sartorial status of highway robbery designer bags. In particular, this may not become a desirable obsession for the wealthy societal classes and nouveau rich collectors. However, this Generous Dayanara On-A-Lockdown Versatile Clutch Bag (022020) in Philippines T'boli Tribal Print has unparalleled gilt-edge calibres as a fully functional generous piece with A1 character.

LARGE LADY DIOR CANNAGE QUILTED BAG IN FUSHIA PINK

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

About three weeks ago, I decided to purchase another handbag as a post-Christmas present for myself. Beforehand, I was still ruling-out what brand I would choose; which one I would prefer most to be the penultimate piece of my collection. In particular, there were three brand names that came into my mind and I was even thinking of settling for the most foothold one. Despite the fact that my budget allocation could afford the highly priced double flap bag, I still resisted buying it for the simple reason that there are too many counterfeit versions out there. Realistically speaking, I just love the thought of sticking around waiting for the best time to buy for a good deal; choosing wisely with my acquisition and more importantly, making sure that my finances are no over my threshold limit. Don't you agree? 

I was down to my final two preferences. After some research regarding their pros and cons in the fashion market, I blissfully ended-up choosing the piece which fits well enough with my personality. It has a stunning and youthful structure which differentiates from the rest of my peg away handbags. I singled out the feminine elegance and soft appearance of Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink.

The Lady Dior bag was created in 1994 by at that time its artistic director, Gianfranco Ferré. It attracted and fascinated every fashion journalists and members of the fashion house which paved the way to gaining its original couture name as 'chouchou' (French for favourite). By that time, it had the sole purpose of becoming a classic and iconic bag because of its charismatic design and features. Such as, the leather hallmarks; soft lambskin topstitched; rounded handles and the metal D.I.O.R letters charm.  

The Lady Dior bag became marketably more famous when the People's Princess, Princess Diana, fell in love with it in 1996 and carried it elegantly for years. Historically speaking, Bernadette Chirac (French Politician) offered this bag to the Princess of Wales during a trip to Paris in September 1995. Then, The Princess of Wales was wearing it during the opening of the Cezanne exhibition at the Grand Palais. That is why, Lady Dior is a commercial name given to a handbag by the Christian Dior company in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales. 

Let me now give you my personal insights after having possession of the Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink for a week to date...

 

I am more enticed and settling for captivatingly vibrant shades which in this case helped me to verge on my usual chosen colour wheels. That is why, the vibrancy of its colour has been the wisest decision for me rather than to have favoured the available safest colours. Many of us will choose the shade black but my mind and heart said, “choose the YOU colour!”. By oneself, it shows the true reflection of my colourful personality and compliments my optimistically light hearted behaviour.

 

The dome styled handles are crafted with robust material and sheathed in dyed lambskin leather to give it a smoother appearance. There are two facets of the handles, the front angle was trimly cushioned while the back angle remained firmly flat. These handles are then fixed into the main bag using a solid and strong oval metal in silver. There is also an integrated hanging metal D.I.O.R letters charm in silver but with a bigger letter “O” shadowed by a leather pattern. At the back of the leather pattern there is an embossed “Christian Dior Paris Made in Italy” in centred alignment. Moreover, it also has a fine and slim detachable shoulder leather strap which is secured on both ends with personalised CD lobster claw silver-tone snap hooks.  

 

 

The overall key attributes of the Lady Dior bag are its savoir-faire network of lines stitched vertically and diagonally which create precise quilted leather cushions emerging like scattering shimmering diamonds. The refined topstitching called “cannage” brings forth femininity and elegance in the finesse of the bag. 

 

 

The Lady Dior Bag has been architecturally design to stand alone when place on a flat surface. To be more specific, the entire bottom part of the bag was plainly blanketed in dyed leather and protected more with additional wee silver-tone studs in the shape of cones. In addition to this, it is a top zipped bag with a CD silver pendant like flap (to open/close the zip) which opens entirely to a well crafted interior of jacquard fabric lining. I have to say that the solidity of its interior is the exact opposite of its soft and smooth cannage exterior. Furthermore, the spaciousness of the bag's interior has been conceptualised with a functional zip pocket and underneath its opening mouth there is a trimmed leather panel that has an inscription “Christian Dior Paris Made in Italy” in centred alignment. If you will turn up the stitched trimmed leather panel, you will find the embossed 8-digit serial code (2 digit numbers- 2 upper case letters- 4 digit numbers) which will give an idea of its batch/production year. 

Personally speaking, the Large Lady Dior Cannage Quilted Bag in Fushia Pink itself is commodiously ideal and will always be sophisticatedly stylish. It is indeed a timeless and unique work of art imbued with meticulous craftsmanship which yields the Couture spirit of Dior.

SHE CHOSE THE SMALLEST: CÈLINE NANO LUGGAGE TOTE IN VERMILION

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

She has been thinking as to what will be her next and hopefully, the last pretty penny bag to acquire. She knew there were a few distinctive fashion brand names clouded in her senses but she was realistic enough to know how exorbitant they would be. The highly excessive list prices were indeed outside her authority and could lead her to an overdraft.

Her quixotic wish list deterred and the murkiness in her mind became sensibly clear. Whitherly, it prospected to two middle-of-the-road and prudent choices...

The first preference of hers was, the Yves Saint Laurent's Classic Large College Bag in Dark Red Matellasse Leather. A classic monogram bag which has an interlocking YSL signature buckle closure; top handle metal chain and a leather removable shoulder strap. In truth, she watched a few free videos of this bag on the web in which it was even compared to a very known luxury timeless jumbo handbag. Her attention was transfixed and more so, when the suggested retail price for YSL Bag was less than half of the jumbo handbag price. Plainly, it wasn't the price that made it attractive for her as the commodious space was mostly the substantial wow element.

The second next in order was one of the three (now five) structured sizes iconic luggage tote by the industry heavyweight, Phoebe Philo, when he revitalised Céline in 2010. A company for fashion luxury goods that was acquired for 2.6 billion by a French multinational luxury European company, better know as LVMH (LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE), back in 1996. So much about the volte-face quick facts and more so about her second cup of tea. It's the smallest amongst sizes with an incredibly soft goat leather material named Céline Nano Luggage Tote in Vermilion.

The Céline Nano became her hand-picked choice despite the fact that YSL Classic Large College Bag was in the same price range, too. While she was passionately thinking, the image of her very own Mulberry Medium Lily Scarlet came to mind from time to time. Its because, in her opinion, the dimensions and most of the essential features of Mulberry and YSL weren't end of rainbow different.

She chose the smallest Céline Luggage Tote which has a very rare bicolour combinations...

The leather dual-rolled carry handles are incrust in a chocolate brown shade and the colour continues as embellishment for the bag's entire calfskin trimming. This practical- sized bag has been designed with the perpetual exterior front zipped pocket and a useful leather sunglasses tab at the back. Sadly, the outer front zipped pocket can only accommodate calling cards for clandestine admirers because of its peewee dimensions. What a saucy ink-and-paper “acquaintance card” doodad!

What she appreciates more about Céline Nano is the optional removable vermilion shoulder strap with gold metal trigger swivel hooks. The free will of wearing it as cross body by attaching the gold metal hooks onto the fastened gold D ring connection buckles (both winged sides of the bag) is undeniably framed it to be more than just a hand carry bag! 

 

Unlike her Céline Mini Luggage Tote, Nano has no four protective studs at the bottom; no leather tab and no press button on the left winged side of the bag for the top tape zipper extension. The top zipper closure secures all her essentials when away on a lovely day or a night out affair. Moreover, it opens to an ample interior of chocolate brown lambskin lining with durable panel leather bottom which holds the shape of the bag and a suited flat pocket perfect either for credit/debit cards, cellphone or oyster card.

After purchasing Céline's smallest iconic luggage tote, she thought it would dissatisfy her. Nonetheless, it was just her qualm which was obliterated when she paired it to her Céline Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Leather Tote Mini. It was exactly the miniature version with a sigh in her mind, “Wish it has incrust with the same sensational colour combinations!”.

The Celine's Nano Luggage Tote in Vermilion and Chocolate Brown Dual-Rolled Carry Handles with Gold Heat Stamped Logo was Miss Victoria David's realistic 33rd post-birthday present for herself!

THE MISSING AND EVASIVE DRAWSTRING DUST BAG

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

Know your RIGHTS as a consumer! 

Communicating directly to the seller or a merchandiser is the straightforward and simplest way of disputing and settling an issue/problem. This can be executed verbally, either in person or over the phone, and/or in writing by sending an email or a private message. I always choose the latter as writing with an explanatory statement means you can set out your arguments in a black & white form. So, which one are you when the goods and services you just received are not as described or haven't met your satisfaction? 

Writing is easy but explaining clearly and plainly your thoughts in a statement can be challenging. Am I right, my dear? I have my own adapted method in order to give my formal letter some clarity and that is, by making a draft on scrap papers about the important bits. This will include the main problem(s), the dates and times of exchanged letters and the names of the correspondents. In this way, you will have a reliable guide on what you will just include in your formal complaint in order to build a strong case against the seller or merchandiser. Most of the times, an ad hoc communication to the seller works fairly well and will always favour the customer's solid arguments. Inevitably, there are instances in which the seller wouldn't like to comprehend what has been written in the complaint; that the buyer received unsatisfactory goods and services. Does it mean, the buyer's money will just go down the drain as well as having to put up with the faulty item? If this happens to you as a consumer, you will think of how one-sided, and unreasonable the seller or merchandiser are apart from provoking your annoyance. 

Cheer up buyers as every cloud has a silver lining... 

The Consumer Rights Act of 2015 aims to protect the buyer's confidence from the wrongful actions of (mostly abusive) sellers. If you think you still don't get a favourable response out of an ad hoc communication from the arrogant and adamant sellers, don't lose hope and belief in yourself. Its because, under the Consumer Rights Act of 2015 if there is a problem with the goods and services bought from the seller or didn't match the description of the item that was advertised, you can ask for a full refund or provide you with a replacement. If you think, you have given sufficient time for the seller to resolve your raised issue and yet still they haven't acted evenhandedly, Citizens Advice Bureau team will impartially guide you. The people behind their team will hear your side of argument first including what you have been doing regarding your complaint before they will finally give you reasonable advice to make a fair dispute with the seller. That is why, it is imperative that you will contact or communicate first directly to the seller or where you bought the item before you will ask the assistance of Citizens Advice Bureau's contingent team. 

A month ago I bought a Celine Multicolour Luggage Calfskin Lather Tote Mini. Actually, I published a written essay about it on here, too, at http://quidnuncqueen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/the-multicolour-in-me-celine.html. The description of the seller on the legitimate website of second-hand top of the range items, VestiareCollective, was exactly as she outlined on the description box and defined on the website's comment section. Personally, the bag was in a foolproof and splendid condition when I took it out of its personalised plastic carrier bag for the very first time. However, I was taken by surprise that the presence of its drawstring dust bag wasn't included in the box. I had paid the bill in full and was anticipating that after a month of waiting, everything would be included in the sealed box, delivered by their courier man. Actually, they have a unique quality control team who had 2-3 days to carry out a “100%” physical inspection of the bag and check that all accessories are included. Subjectively, I was flabbergasted given the fact that the seller on their website confirmed that there is a dust bag when I verified it on their comment section. Can you believe how thorough they are during physical check and inspection? 

On the day I received the sealed box from them, I sent right away an email to VestiareColletive and even a private message on their Facebook page regarding the missing dust bag. There were monotonic replies in which it implied they haven't read well my raised issue. One of their emails was written with arrogance which 'some' thriving companies have been practising to dismay the confidence of their buyers. Sadly, they barked up the wrong tree! 

I took the dispute personally...

I contacted directly on their website's comment box the main seller of the Celine Bag about the missing dust bag. We exchanged comments for some time and on the 07th of March, she verified again that she sent the dust bag together with the bag to the Head Office of VestiareCollective for “100%” quality control check and inspection. Which is why, on the 08th of March I took it up onto the next level and called the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for helpful advice. My side of argument was heard by them and subsequently, they shared useful phrases for me to include in my complaint letter. A written statement formulated by myself using one of their template letters on

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/template-letters/letters/

which beyond any doubt summoned VestiareCollective to take an immediate action. 

On the 08th of March, I finalised my complaint from the Citizens Advice's website and downloaded a copy. I then sent the letter with attachments to VestiareCollective's email address as well as privately messaged them on Facebook. A day after, they replied to my complaint in which they stated in their written statement that their quality control has received the Celine dust bag and even had the bloody cheek to ask me if I would like to have it. What a stupid and ignorant question when the main reason of my complaint was to acquire the dust bag. Which is why when they offered me a voucher gesture of 20 euros on my next order, I DECLINED as all I wanted was the dust bag.

On the 10th of March and after 8 days of battle with VestiareCollective, they finally shipped over from France to the United Kingdom the missing and evasive Celine drawstring dust bag. Which would arrive on Monday as per the shipment's detailed report and a sent text message.

I love writing and that is why I don't feel the apprehension in communicating and explaining to the seller or merchandiser when something fishy has been happening to my purchased item. If I were to brag I would say, it's no longer new to me and winning a dispute objectively makes me ecstatic. Generally speaking, presenting my arguments in a form of letter has been my tenacious weapon, as long as it has the facts and my points of view along with the supplementary proofs and evidence. With this approach, a complaint will have more credence and not just a  vague whim!

*Photo Courtesy of https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/template-letters/letters/

A SEASHELL LIKE LAUNDRY BAG

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

A displayed item that is now in my possession!

We are given a guarantee by most shop managers that their products will be durable enough to last for years and are fit for their purpose. Is it? This is relevant for most items but the guarantee of durability is not applicable to all things. All goods have their lifespans which can be seen after a few usage; changes will occur and then gradually wear-and-tear develops.

One of the household items I had which didn’t last long was a laundry bag with stand. Its steel galvanized rack and the polypropylene plastic foot are still in good condition. However, weeks ago the polyethylene plastic wash bag just gave up. I didn’t have a spare replacement to use when it happened, so I tried my best to repair the lacerated fabric around the edges and luckily I managed to restore its original shape. What a genius... hahahahah!

The polyethylene plastic wash bag gave-up again and it's now in the bin. However, I managed to find a replacement when I was walking down the street. Lucky me!

My newly purchased laundry bag is so much more superior and has a lovely contour. Even though it was from a second hand shop, this seashell like laundry bag has an exquisite appearance. I bet, even you will approve too?

It is a basket made of straw which has been woven by hand, creating a light weight laundry container with strong grips on each side. These makes it easy to lift-up and move, from one place to another. And also, it has a well-fitting lid which covers and secures the contents of the basket. It also has a grip that helps give the lid a tight fit.

I restored its faded beauty and transformed its appearance using a bottle of deep mahogany varnish and more importantly, my magic hands.