What clothes brands does Ayu use?

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by devilayu

The Japanese seem particularly taken in by brand names. Because of this, European brands specifically make certain items for the Japanese market because they know someone will buy it. For instance, there are Vuitton toilet paper holders and Vuitton notepapers. It's really quite funny. And I think there are like 10 Vuitton stores in Tokyo alone. Keep in mind, these are the Vuitton-only stores. The department stores that sell Vuitton must boggle the mind. However, it's much cheaper to buy brand names in America, which is why Japanese tourists shop so much when they are in town.

THere's a list of all louis vuitton stores in both tokyo and japan on the official site. The list very very long, and I think the japan list is the only one that contains sub categories within towns. They also have stores in cities that normally woulden't have one if it was in f.ex the US or UK, or even France.

Even in France most of the customers in Louis Vuitton Stores were japanese, so at least one of the assistants had to know the language. It was quite amazing how he managed to swirch between near perfect japanese to perfect english to perfect french in just a wink of the eye.

You can get note paper and some of that stuff out of japan too though, they do have all items in france in their flagship store, and most of it is actually made in france so it will have to be there at some point. I'm pretty sure a big share of special items are shipped to japan too.

I always wondered why the cost was different from country to country especially within the EU, because the merchandise is ONLY sold in brand stores, so the company is in total control of the prices. It seems that instead of evening out the prices across the globe, they add to extra costs for each place, like rent, taxes and etc. THey also have their own currency stndard (I think) that doesen't change like the currency market does. That's why it's cheaper in Paris than in f.ex even UK. =/ And that's only across the channel,

Originally Posted by *Petit*

I always wondered why the cost was different from country to country especially within the EU, because the merchandise is ONLY sold in brand stores, so the company is in total control of the prices. It seems that instead of evening out the prices across the globe, they add to extra costs for each place, like rent, taxes and etc. THey also have their own currency stndard (I think) that doesen't change like the currency market does. That's why it's cheaper in Paris than in f.ex even UK. =/ And that's only across the channel,

The UK is actually more expensive to buy things than in America with today's conversions. I don't think you save that much buying in France compared to American prices either. However, I've heard that prices have gone up on average (for instance, a Dior bag I own was $980 when I got it and is now allegedly over $1,000 to buy from the flagship store). But the price is the same whether or not you buy from a flagship store or from a department store like Saks in America. The only way you can get a deal on genuine merchandise is if you go to the brands' outlet stores.

[*Petit*]

Originally Posted by devilayu

The UK is actually more expensive to buy things than in America with today's conversions. I don't think you save that much buying in France compared to American prices either. However, I've heard that prices have gone up on average (for instance, a Dior bag I own was $980 when I got it and is now allegedly over $1,000 to buy from the flagship store). But the price is the same whether or not you buy from a flagship store or from a department store like Saks in America. The only way you can get a deal on genuine merchandise is if you go to the brands' outlet stores.

You're probably right about America being almost as cheap as euro countries if not even cheaper, the dollar is worth hardly anything these days.

I don't think Louis Vuitton is avaliable in any outlets though, it would probalby be overrun. O.o The sales in the department store is kind of the same as the independent stores.

And yeah, you do always get something extra when shopping "luxury" merchandise. f.ex Louis Vuitton sunglasses are supposed to be made from cotton rather than petrolium. Of course this makes them a bit more expensive, but as sunglasses (like Dior ones) generally cost a lot more than in other countries here, the price doesen't seem too bad at all. =P