Now I have to confess to having been looking forward to this next interview very much indeed. The lady kindly agreeing to be interviewed is Irma who I would describe as one of the most lively and entertaining "posters" on a forum I have had the pleasure to read. A HUGE LV addict with an evident zest for life that comes across in some hilarious comments.

"Welcome Irma"

"Hello."

"I know it's corny and old but could we start with you telling us about yourself please, a bit of background information to set the scene.".

"Certainly, not a problem. I'm 26 years old and married to a wonderful Army major. We're currently in Maryland, but will be moving soon to Alabama. I am a Software Quality Assurance Specialist by trade, but I'm currently unemployed right now. During this "unemployment" period, I was able to cultivate other hobbies such as Web Design and Photography. It's also during this period that I discovered several Louis Vuitton Boards available online. I have a miniature schnauzer named Cooper whom I adore very, very, very much and most of the time I'm busy taking care of my two boys."

"Two boys? A job in itself then! lol. You mentioned that during this period you discovered several LV boards. Can you remember your first ever sight of a Louis Vuitton? Which piece you saw and why it was you noticed it?"

"Yes! I do remember! It was a papillon 30. Last year, around September, I was surfing eBay and not sure what happened, but I guess I just typed "Louis Vuitton" on the search box. This is when I came across the papillon design and just loved it! Actually, I saw it on someone (in real life) and it was just too cute to pass up. So for my birthday, I asked my husband if I could have this bag. And he said, "yes"! "

"And what was the first authentic Lv you ever bought?"

"It was a papillon 26."

"Do you still have it today?"

"Oh yes! I would never, ever part with it just because it has such a sentimental value to me and my husband."

"Does your husband and the rest of the family share your passion in Louis Vuitton?"

[laughing] "They're not too involved really. My husband thinks Louis Vuitton is ugly. Hey, he's entitled to his own opinion. He tolerates it most of the time, but when I ask him that I want $6,000 worth of bags, he gets freaked out."

"Lol, $6,000 worth - I think I might see his side there ever so slightly! So can you tell us which Louis Vuitton items you have in your collection so far please Irma?"

"Let's see. I have the monogram canvas papillon 26, monogram canvas speedy 25, white multicolore speedy 30, black multicolore agenda, and last but not least, the red/cream cherry blossom retro. Oh yes, and a Damier Chelsea that I bought from another member on the Addicts forum just today as well!"

"You just bought it today? Congratulations! I see you have a very specific theme to your collection - unique pieces that are also highly versatile such as the Papillon and Speedys. How much do you use your collection?"

"I switch bags occasionally, but I'm usually a one-bag-woman, meaning I want to use one bag regularly as my every day bag. The only purse I haven't used or taken out yet is the red/cream cherry blossom purse."

"You have a couple of the limited edition multicolore pieces and the cherry blossom retro there - which is your favorite limited edition?"

"I use my white multicolore speedy as my everyday summer bag nowadays. I used to have the black multicolore speedy, but sold it on eBay a few weeks ago so I could get a cherry blossom item. I love my white speedy! Even though it's a bit big on me, it just makes me so happy and cheery whenever I look at her and carry her! As far as favorites go, I don't know. I don't really have a favorite limited edition item right now. I just like them because they're unique and sort of different from the usual monogram canvas. However, they also tend to be copied very often though."

"That's very true - especially the Multicolore range. I don't think a day goes past without some new style of multicolore bag being auctioned that Louis Vuitton hasn't even made! Have you ever been unlucky enough to end up with a fake piece yourself?"

"Yes! I've been a victim of fakies on eBay! Just once though and it was my first purchase. I even told the seller that I wanted this bag for my birthday, and that I wanted to end up with an authentic piece. She e-mailed me back with a "straight face" so to speak telling me that I will enjoy this bag!"

"Oh that's awful, for your birthday too!! Now I know that you are a huge fan of authentic items, as shown in your posts on the LVAddicts forum. What is it that you hate about fakes?"

"Oh many things! I hate that they're ugly and poorly constructed. Any Louis Vuitton enthusiast can tell a fake a mile away!!! The thing I hate most is that I read in an article that profits of some sales of these fake designer goods are used to fund illegal activities such as drugs, sweat shops, and worst of all, terrorist activities!!! Now why the heck will I want to support those?! Any fake lover might as well convert and be an Al-Qaeda operative!!! To me, it's basically no different than selling drugs on the streets."

"And what would be the biggest tip your could give someone on how to avoid buying a fake piece anywhere?"

"Well, I would tell them what I said before and how the profits from the sales of these fakies go to bad, bad causes. I would also direct them to mypoupette.com and om_goddess's "About Me" page in case they want to venture out in eBay waters. I guess the best advice I could give them is that if it's too good to be true, it is!"

"It doesn't seem to matter how many times people hear that - everyone always believes that they've magically found the one time that isn't true! Lol. You are a member of one of the better LV forums on the net today. Are you a member of any others?"

"Yes, I am a member of the EZBoard LV Addicts Board which is a private board. I also just joined the Only Authentic Louis Vuitton MSN Board and the LouisVuittonMore MSN Board."

"And what top resources on the internet would you recommend to new addicts for authentic LV information or purchases?"

"I'd have to say that everyone should definitely go to mypoupette.com and eBay ID om_goddess's "About Me" page."

"Which is the best bag in your collection and why?"

"Oh it will definitely be the red/cream cherry blossom retro! With the cherry blossom items no longer in production, it's good to own a rare Louis Vuitton bag! Good heirloom piece too!"

"Yes, that's something that Adrineh mentioned in her interview as well - the value of being able to pass certain items down within the family! Especially when they should hold their value as well as an authentic Louis Vuitton should. Do you collect any other designer label or is it just LV?"

"As far as collecting it, no. I do have Fendi, Coach, and Dooney & Bourke bags but wouldn't say I was collecting as I am with Louis Vuitton. I love Fendi the most out of my other bags."

"Now I thought I'd throw in a weird and tricky question at this point - If you had to describe yourself to someone as an LV bag - which bag would you be and why?"

"Oh my goodness - LOL. Hmmm. I'd probably say the white speedy. I'm fun and colorful, but inside, a deep, dark hole [laughing]. Seriously though, the white speedy is fun and colorful, but also elegant and sophisticated and can be serious if it needs to be so this is why I picked it."

"Good answer - I can definitely confirm the fun and colorful part as well! A more serious question for you now if we can. If you could pass a request back to LV for them to introduce a new piece or to change something, what would it be?"

"Oh I'd tell them to put brass feet on the Alma!!! I'd also tell them to hurry up with the production of the multicolore papillon before I go broke!"

"LOL - the multicolore range does make you dream of other existing bag styles in that design doesn't it? We had an entry into the fakes competition of a Multicolore Deauville the other day and I caught myself looking at it, thinking "Mm, now if only LV would do that for real it would be unique!" Okay - the final question for you Irma. If your husband actually said yes to your $6,000 worth of LV and surprised you by saying - "Buy whatever you like, no matter the cost!", which Louis Vuitton would you like to own the most and why?"

"Well, once I'd recovered from the shock and made sure he wasn't joking, I'd have to say the Multicolore hard suitcases/luggages (I believe they're around $45,000). I just think it's such an heirloom piece! I'll probably use them sometimes, but I know I won't be checking them in any time soon."

"Irma, thank you so much for agreeing to be interviewed and also for giving us a picture of your collection, it's been a real pleasure."

"Lol - it's been fun, thank you for asking me!"