[Quality Control] The Highs and Lows of Givenchy

Thursday, October 17, 2013



Givenchy Suede Shark Tooth Boots, the "Shark Tooth," Boxcalf Ankle Boot with Cuffed Trim, Antigona, Nightingale, and Antigona clutch. 

Looks heavenly, doesn't it? Unfortunately, a few of those items have been quite the contrary. 

I am a huge fan of Givenchy for accessories. The pieces are interesting because they accentuate the classics. Instead of, for example, a basic envelope clutch, the Antigona has been kicked up a notch with a croc-emboss. Or instead of your commonplace leather ankle boot, the Boxcalf has a suede cuffed trim. Every season, there are always a few pieces that I am dying to own. 

It's a shame the quality is so poor (at least for the footwear).

The Lows: Last week, I went to dinner at Balthazar to celebrate a good friend's birthday. I was ever excited to wear my Suede Shark Tooth Boots for the occasion. After a lovely meal, I stood up from the table to exit the restaurant. To my surprise (and that of my friends) about two feet of leather was dragging along the ground from my right boot. The strap had come undone. Upon closer inspection, the "Shark Tooth" lock had broken off while I was seated, with my legs uncrossed, at the dinner table. 

I had only worn the boots a handful of times. 

At current, the broken "Shark Tooth" lock remains, well, broken. I must say that I am gravely disappointed although, not surprised, as this is my second run-in with Givenchy's poor footwear quality. 

You might recall the Boxcalf Ankle Boot with Cuffed Trim from last fall season. The tall sheath version was all of the rage and completely sold out in my size. I was very thankful to receive the ankle version as a Christmas gift. I wore them almost exclusively for special occasions, so as to preserve them for many fall seasons to come. On one such occasion, the interior leather footbed slid down to the toe. Imagine having to walk around a New York Fashion Week event, with your leather Givenchy insert pressed up underneath your toes. And why didn't I remove it, you ask? Apparently, the leather footbed insert has a strong adhesive, only at the toe! Along with my Suede Shark Tooth Boots, the Boxcalf will also be taking a most expensive trip to New York's famed Leather Spa, land of the luxury shoe second chance. 

What's a few more hundred dollars, right Givenchy? Right.

The Highs: Where Givenchy excels in the accessories department, handbags and clutches. I remember an old friend mine who tried to get me interested in Givenchy's handbags. I just wasn't having any of it as I was deep into my Marc Jacobs obsession. I have since come to see the light. 
The shapes are ideal: roomy, without carrying luggage and structured where appropriate. The Nightingale is a brilliant bag for everyday use and transitions perfectly for travel. The Antigona, I think, is a bit more of a "lady who lunches" bag, too bulky for constant wear but maintains its shape well. And of course, let us not forget the Antigona clutch! The stuff of dreams. Croc-emboss, a nice in-between shade for yearly wear and a hardy envelope body -- the Antigona is quite possibly my favorite clutch to-date. 

Thus, it is possible for Givenchy to have on-par quality with all of their accessories. The footwear can be just as expensive as the handbags, so why not elevate the precison and care that goes into them as well? I'd love to hear from a Givenchy representative. In the meantime, what do you think? Any personal stories that you'd like to share? I'm all ears (or eyes, rather). 

9 comments:

Elle @ (Eat.Style.Play) said...

I feel like you are paying for shit like that not to happen when you pay for high end items like that. I would be pissed off! The boots are just so cute though, and all those bags! I'd die.

Violet said...

awww so sad that they turned out to be bag quality. I would have died after getting up from that table. Thanks for the honest review. Definitely refreshing among the crowd of ohs and ahs for the sake of designer tags

-Violet
RosesareRedblog.com

Unknown said...

I feel like for such an investment piece, you should be able to just bring it to a store and have it fixed for free.

xo
Maggie A
LOVE MAVIN

FASHION SNAG said...

I am so sorry this happened! I have one pair of the shark lock booties, but they are a higher heel ankle boot. I haven't had any problems with them yet.

www.FashionSnag.com

village of peace said...

aah it is because these companies are so focused on earning that they outsource in countries where the manifacture skills are still in development. Maybe i think this because i am italian and i see the difference in quality when it is not made in Italy ( for shoes or bags for example)

Isabelle said...

I got the suede shark tooth sandals with the metal heel. I have never worn them and they have always remained in their original box but when i removed them to take on a trip, i found out that the shark tooth lock AND the metal heel were discolored and tarnished. There goes $850

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