Our following interview is with a lovely lady called Jinath. As well as being an avid lover and collector of authentic Louis Vuitton - (which is fairly necessary if she is going to be interviewed on this site really!) she is also a popular member of the forums.

"Hi Jinath, thank you for agreeing to put yourself through this!"

"It's my pleasure Rufus, thanks for the opportunity to say hello to all LV lovers out there!"

"Could you perhaps start with telling us a little bit about yourself please? Who you are, where you're from and what you do."

" Oh sure. I'm Jinath from Toronto. I currently work as an Export Manager at a trading firm – we export various foodstuffs from North America to other parts of the world. I graduated two and a half-year ago with Bachelors in Computer Information System. I am currently engaged to my wonderful boyfriend of 5 years and busy planning our wedding in September."

" In September? And you still found time to take part in this interview? Thank you very much, I'm sure you must have a lot on your plate at the moment in that case.?"

"Lol - just quite a lot, yes!"

"Can you remember your first ever sight of a Louis Vuitton? Which piece was it and what was it about it that caught your interest?"

"I guess I must have noticed people carrying LV’s for a long time but I never paid much attention to it till they did their ads with Karolina Korkova. She was carrying the Papillon 30 – and I fell in love with that bag! Of course for the longest time I was scared to even go into the LV boutique here as I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to afford anything (LOL) - and with the prices increasing so often that still seems to be the case."

"Yes, they do seem to like to sneak them in here and there! What was the first authentic Louis Vuitton piece you ever bought Jinath?"

"Well, when I finally walked into Vuitton last year (after working for a year) I found out that they had a 9 month waiting list for the Papillon 30 and the price was also scary. The SA quickly pulled out the Papillon 19 (the smallest size Papillon) and I whipped out my CC faster than you can say Marc Jacobs and it was MINEEEE!!!! Hahaha."

"Lol - Thank goodness for credit cards - they let us get away with so much! Do you still have that Papillon 19 today?"

"Actually no - I wanted something different and got a Recital and sold the Papillon to someone about 3-4 months ago."

"And have you ever been unlucky enough to end up with a fake piece?"

"No, knock on wood; I haven’t so far. I try to really know the seller, their history, the availability of the piece, going market price etc before I part with my hard-earned money. I am quite happy to say I actually bought some pieces for really great prices so far – Thank God! Lets hope my luck holds!"

"I know what you mean Jinath - it does feel like luck sometimes, however much research you do! Now I also know that you are a huge fan of authentic items, as shown in your posts on the LVAddicts forum and your About Me page. What is it you hate about fakes the most?"

"Hmmm, that they are FAKE? LOL!"

"Lol."

"I can go on about the ethics behind not buying fakes, but that’s not the real reason I don’t buy fakes.

For me personally, the main thing is knowing that they are REAL. I am not concerned about what other people think – I want the satisfaction of knowing my bag is AUTHENTIC. Doesn’t it make sense to have a real Van Gogh or a Monet than a poster of one? You really can’t appreciate the work, the creativity that goes into a piece from a cheap plastic knock-off. An authentic bag is an homage to the artist who created it.

Another reason (and every LV fan will tell you this) – its really the craftsmanship and the quality. I hope that my authentic pieces will last me the next ten years whereas the bad fakes will probably fall apart in 10 days. I don’t think that the replicas are worth the money at all."

"Yes, I know whatyou mean - we've had a couple of ladies from the earlier interviews mentioning their hope that their bags will become heirlooms for passing down in the family. So what would be the biggest tip your could give someone on how to avoid buying a fake piece anywhere?"

"One word – RESEARCH. Knowledge is power! Don’t take anyone’s word about an item being authentic – KNOW yourself if it is or not. Research the item, the going market price, availability etc. Join a discussion group like: Authentic Louis Vuitton Addicts Forum Or Yahoo Louis Vuitton Group

These groups are wonderful as there are lots of avid collectors there who can help you with authenticity questions.

Or if you are too lazy to do so pay Angie at www.mypoupette.com a mere $5 bucks and have her authenticate the item for you. It’s worth it!"

"You are a member of one of the better LV forums on the net today. Are you a member of any others, do you find them useful, do you still learn from them at all and would you recommend them to new addicts?"

"Oh I think my last answer hinted at how useful they are - LOL. I am a very happy member on the EZBoard and I highly recommend new and old addicts to join discussion boards. They will not be disappointed with the knowledge the other members have on Louis Vuitton. There are many boards on ebay, MSN etc that are dedicated to LV, Chanel, Dior etc that are not only educational but a fun place to hang out online."

"What other resources on the internet would you recommend to new addicts for authentic LV information or purchases?"

"Oh dear, I think I have already mentioned them LOL. I also should recommend your wonderful site!

There are some very nice people who have some “about me” pages on ebay that are useful:

• BabyClouds• OM*Goddess• Caannie• Bag Lady 2003

 

One thing I will mention is to avoid sites that promote wholesale lists, discounted LV etc as there are no such things!"

 

"Now that is a very good and important point - the sudden increase in the number of eBay auctions for a Louis Vuitton Wholesalers list - promising you sources for cheap LV. But as we all know and new lovers of LV should be warned of - there are NO CHEAP SOURCES OF NEW, AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON - NONE!"

"Exactly. If thats what they sell - then it's fakes!"

"That is a really important point to make, thank you Jinath. Now onto your collection if I may - how long have you been collecting Louis Vuitton?"

" Only since last March 2003"

"So just over a year then. And which Louis Vuitton items do you have in your collection currently?"

"Its easier for me to list them out:• Monogram pieces – Recital and Ludlow wallet• Mini Monogram – Josephine PM in blue• Mini Monogram Cruise Collection 2003/2004 – Katheleen and Mary Kate Case in green• Mini Monogram Satin – Little Alma and Porte Monnaie Plat in black• Cherry Blossom – Papillons both the brown/pink and pink/pink versions, the Pochettes in all 3 colours, Porte Tressor International in cream/red, the Porte Monnaie Plat in brown/pink and the Pochette Cles, again in all 3 colors.• Vernis – Biscayne Bay PM and Pochette Porte Monnaie Cartes in Marshmallow, 2000 Cruise Collection Vernis clutch in Aqua(I am unsure of the full name LOL)• Multicolore – Pochette Accessoriee, Pochette Cles and Porte Monnaie Plats in black and white, Mini HL in white• Winter 2003 – 2004 – Monogram Op Art Pouchy in the black.That's it - for the moment! lol."

"Wow - thats an enviable collection Jinath and some great bags as well. I see you have a few of the limited edition Cherry Blossom and Multicolor pieces in your collection. Which is your favorite limited edition and why?"

"Hmmm being a new addict I have to say I am a fan of the Cherry Blossom collection. I was not a fan of it at first but it just grew on me and I really appreciate the whimsical nature of the design and the blend of the old (monogram) with the new (cherry blossoms)"

"Yes, it's a very clever design for exactly that point I think - showing the old, traditional LV design with a cartoon like top layer of blossoms. You certainly have an addicts view for describing and detailing their bags, I have to say."

"Lol - thank you."

"So, if you had to pick one bag from your whole collection as the best - which would it be and why?"

"Hehehe my CB Papillon in brown/pink. I can not part with this bag – its my baby LOL Its just the perfect girly bag, a wonderful mix of whimsy and maturity."

"And how much use do you get out of your gorgeous collection, are they every day items or stored away for periods?"

"Oh lots!!!!!! My most used LV is the Joshepine – its just such a perfect everyday bag – I can stuff it as much as I like."

"How practical do you find your Monogram Satin Alma? Where do you tend to wear it?"

"Actually, I have used it quite a lot and it holds all my necessary things – cell phone, porte monnaie plat, lipstick, compact, eye drops. It’s the perfect date bag!"

"And how "involved" in your passion is the rest of your family?"

"Ummm well not at all unless its to complain about it, HA HA HA HA HA"

"Lol - yes, I suspect that's a common problem in a few addicts homes! Do you collect any other designer label or is it just LV?"

"Well, after plunking down money for the LV’s there’s never much left for others LOL. But I do like Chanel,Gucci etc. Just don’t devote as much time and money to them though that’s all."

"Now to try and totally throw you here's a weird and tricky question - If you had to describe yourself to someone as an LV bag - which bag would you be and why?"

"hahahah gosh, that’s a funny question. I would again pick the CB Papillon as I see myself as a mixture of some old-fashioned ideas and values with some new independent woman attitudes. Does that make any sense? LOL"

"And 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 they have to change their bags with the leather bottoms!!!! Either put feet on them or put pre-treated leather that wouldn’t stain. And please Mr. Jacobs put in more zipped pockets in them!!! PLEASE???? And how about a Multicolor Speedy 25 and Papillon? "

"Lol. I believe that your favorite Monogram Canvas bag is the Recital - What about it exactly do you like so much, what makes it your favorite?"

"He he he who told you that??? Yes, I love that bag! I wish they made it in a bigger size. It just really appeals to me somehow – its like opening a gift box and finding that gorgeous raspberry coloured lining inside."

"Now if I were to ask you a silly question, it would have to be if you had to describe yourself as an LV bag - which would it be and why?"

"Oh I think I answered this one – CB Papillon in cream/red!"

"Which collections or ranges haven't you got into yet and which would you like to collect from, e.g. Suhali, Damier etc?"

"I would love to spend some serious cash on the Cherry Blossom Retro, Multicolore Satin Abelia, Tweedy ( all discontinued now - WAHHHHHHHHH!!!) Suhali Le’ Talentuex and a matching Monogram luggage set."

"Wow - you certainly know the answer to that one - maybe we should warn your future husband he has some serious anniversay presents to buy each year! Okay, to finish the interview Jinath I'd like to hit you with a tough question, a dilemma question for you - Your best friend gets given a fake LV as a present from her husband or boyfriend and she believes it's authentic. You can tell it's a fake - Would you tell her? Yes or no - why that decision?"

"Yes! I would definitely tell her that she is throwing her money away on a bad fake! I would tell her so she can get her money back from whoever told her it was authentic and maybe help the cops bust a fake ring!"

"Finally, if price was no object, which Louis Vuitton would you like to own the most and why?"

"Oh I dream about the Multicolor Satin Abelia – that’s such a feminine bag *DROOLS* "

"Jinath - it's been a real treat for me to be able to interview you over your passion, not to mention it being a whole lot of fun as well! Thank you so much for giving up your time at what must be an exciting stage to answer my questions and share your passion with everyone.!"

"It's been my pleasure too Rufus, thanks so much for inviting me."

Jinath has her own About Me page on eBay where you can also see some excellent pictures of her gorgeous collection.