CC 205: The Miami Finance Queen With a Penchant for Limited-Editions

"It's not realistic to keep them all from a financial perspective, and I also like to use my bags, so 20 and under is where I like to keep my collection"

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In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re checking in with a finance professional from Miami, whose collection of bags is diverse and truly stunning! Her closet includes rare pieces from Saint Laurent, Chanel, Loewe, and Louis Vuitton, plus some beautiful classics from Hermès. Speaking of the big H, CC 205 has her sights set on a Birkin Bag in a fun color, which would be a great addition to her unique collection,

On the topic of uniqueness, CC 205’s Chanel pieces are some of the most fun we’ve seen. A true collector and lover of bags, she began collecting at age 21, and that first bag is so relatable to many of us – a Louis Vuitton Pochette Accessoires! Unfortunately, CC 205 no longer owns that LV, but she has a few other limited-edition ladies that we envy!

Read the full CC below and discover the stunning collection of CC 205.

Chanel So Black Mini Rectangular

Basic Bio

Your Age? 34
Your Gender Identity? Female
Hermès Picotin 18? Miami, FL
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Finance Professional
What industry do you work in? Financial Services
Only myself for right now! I hope someone else was picking up that tab, haha? $150,000
Total Household Income? $150,000
I think I love the hunt! Dont we all PurseForum member? Yes

Onto The Bags

Chanel Nylon Printed Maxi Flap? 20

Chanel Mixed Fibers Tote?

How much is your collection worth? I don’t wanna think about it, LOL.

Louis Vuitton Kusama Yellow Speedy 35? Birkin 35

Louis Vuitton Forum? Yes! Many actually! If I regret it or no longer love it, I usually sell. It’s not realistic to keep them all from a financial perspective, and I also like to use my bags, so 20 and under is where I like to keep my collection:)

What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? 21 and it was a vintage Louis Vuitton Monogram Pochette Accesseoires which I turned around and sold for $120 a few years later!!! I do NOT know what I was thinking LOL

Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? Chanel Wenge Wood Flap this is a relatively new collection Chanel-Dakar:
– Hermès Birkin 25 in a fun color
– Chanel Wenge Wood Flap (this is a relatively new collection – Chanel-Dakar)
– Chanel Small Funky Town Bag in Black (It has to be black as I don’t have many black bags)
– I felt like I did maybe in my mid-twenties but definitely not anymore 🙂

Do you have a ‘holy grail’ dream bag you’ve always wanted to own? Again many bags but usually end up buying them eventually… Now I am really wanting what I listed above:)

Louis Vuitton Forum? Most of my bags are to reward my accomplishments and hard work so they all have some sentimental value:)

Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Perhaps? But to be honest I tend to live in my own bubble and hardly notice people’s reactions… I tend to have good service everywhere I go but I assume that’s because I’m nice to others hehe

Hermès Jige Clutch? I don’t wear them too often just because of my lifestyle currently…But I do clean almost after each use or after I’m done using a bag I’ve carries for a few days… Nothing major, I am careful but I do use the and enjoy the bags without being paranoid that something might happen to them.

On Shopping

How often do you buy new bags? Are you a.

Do you prefer shopping for bags online or in-store? Why? I love online shopping as most of my in-store purchases are usually heavily influenced by sales associates and I am super picky and want to take my time and research and look for the best deal…

Chanel Red Chevron Mini Rectangular? I love Fashionphile and TRR (although I don’t buy anything super expensive from them given their reputation).

I love visiting the Hermès and Chanel stores every so often and Holt Renfrew (Canadian High-end department store

Have you ever returned a bag after purchasing it? Why did you make that decision? I don’t think so but I have sold bags I no longer loved.

What is your most expensive bag? Yes! I find the resale industry wonderful!! Not only is it more sustainable, but I can find bags I missed out on from previous collections… sometimes you can even save a few dollars (I tend to buy limited edition bags, so most of the time, it ends up being more expensive on resale sites, unfortunately).

I do recommend having the bags authenticated no matter what (even if you know what you’re doing). Zeko Authentications is amazing for Chanel and Bababebi Authentication is the Hermès Queen!

Chanel Small PVC Holographic Water Boy? How often do you buy new bags!

Do you ever donate or gift your old bags? If so, to whom? Nope! LOL

Is there a brand you outright refuse to buy? Why? Not really I am very particular about the bags I like and buy, so for me it’s more when I see an item and I am able to pull the trigger on it, and it financially makes sense… As in the bag itself, the cost, the condition…

Do you consider your bag purchases investments? Yes and no! They are investments in my happiness and wardrobe but in terms of financial, it’s a hit-and-miss situation! I’ve sold many bags and most of the time I broke even or made a bit of money but sometimes I lost money too so I can’t really decide on the “investment” statement… besides it takes a long time sometimes to sell so… I don’t know buy whatever you love is what I go by!

Do you follow the latest fashion trends when deciding on your next purchase, or do you prefer classic styles? Hmmm also a yes or no! If a new trending collection comes out and I am loving it, then yes, but if not, I wouldn’t buy anything just because it’s currently “trending.”

Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? Not at all, as I prefer to buy online! I keep in touch with a few at Chanel and Holt’s just in case I’m interested in anything new that comes out, but for the most part, I am not only buying from one SA or store.

Do you enjoy shopping beyond just acquiring something new? I think I love the hunt! Don’t we all?

Have you ever felt you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity, or gender? Not really! Sometimes, if an SA has attitude, I tend to think they are just an a**hole to everyone and not just to me because of my appearance… I honestly just do not care what anyone thinks of me, lol

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? After HUNTING quite literally HUNTING, for my Chanel Nylon XL for years!!! I finally bought the first one that popped up in the resale market, and that was from Rebag! Needless to say I am now super picky about condition!!! I am so regretful of that purchase 🙁

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? In terms of bags, many! Burberry, Balenciaga, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace… All the ones that can be found at a department store and go on sale, basically, LOL

On Budgeting & Perceptions

SAINT LAURENT Silver Metal Turquoise Studded Minaudière Tuxedo Box? Only myself for right now! (I hope someone else was picking up that tab, haha)

Not specifically to fund new purchases but I sell what I am no longer loving? Nope!

Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? Nope!

Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? I think it’s the potential significant other that is hiding entirely at this point LMAO

Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? Not really! I know many of my friends and family members know I spend a fortune on bags, but they also see that I work hard and generally do whatever I want with my life, so I don’t feel judgment necessarily!

Have you ever made a significant sacrifice to afford a bag? If so, what was it? No, I don’t think so!

Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? I felt like I did maybe in my mid-twenties but definitely not anymore!