Written Nov 10, 2014 / Updated: Aug 28, 2019
Are Louis Vuitton bags worth their steep prices?
As l was writing my recent post about the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, l thought back to the attached bazaar at the back of the mosque. It differs from the world famous Grand Bazaar in that it is much, much smaller. If you find yourself in Istanbul and want to find awesome fake designer accessories, definitely make this stop as part of your Istanbul itinerary.
***Updated***
I have since found the name of this bazaar through a relative who had a long layover in Istanbul. It is called the Arasta Bazaar Istanbul. As previously said, it is located right behind the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmet. Smaller in size compared to the Grand Bazaar, there are only about 70 stores offering everything from spices to turkish delights to “brand name” items.
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Louis Vuitton Turkey:
Where to find it:
The Grand Bazaar Istanbul Louis Vuitton bags we found to be quite cheaply made. The smaller bazaar at the Blue Mosque, has a fewer selection of stores, but better quality fakes so to speak. The Louis Vuitton bags that are “Made in Turkey”. Before before you pooh pooh the whole fake thing, take a look at your expensive piece of clothing and check out where it is made. Turkey is most likely one of the places.
Anyway, the shops here look just like regular boutiques. Only difference would be that inside, they would carry different brands under the same roof. We walked into a few to admire the handiwork. I am not a big label fan, save for Ralph Lauren.
The last store we walked into had a really nice guy working there. He did not try to sell us anything. There was a second person seated who was taking in a new consignment of goods. We were fascinated with the way he was checking out the handbags etc. He had a magnifying glass with him, and was checking out the stitching, the engraving, every detail of the handbags.
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Related Reading: Blue Mosque
Louis Vuitton made in Turkey:
One of the Louis Vuitton bags caught my eye. I did what he did, checked it out thoroughly, and decided to buy one. I also bought a wallet. I had intended on keeping it for myself, and did actually use it twice. It’s a little too fancy for me, so l decided to give it to one of my sisters, who love the labels, but is not willing to pay the outrageous prices.
The bag has real leather trimming, just like the real one. I even wet it a bit to make sure it changed color, unlike fake leather. He gave me the dust bags, and the long strap, everything complete with the logo.
Once while in Rome, I watched a special on how these designer bags are made for an average price of $35 with cheap labor and then sold at outrageous prices. The conditions under what the employees work are horrible so l feel little guilt that some employees “acquire” some material from their jobs and make these bags.
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I have checked the L.V website, and to the naked eye, the bag and wallet is identical to the ones online. There may be something missing, but l’m not sure what. Anyway, my sister is thrilled with the bag, and has received tons of compliments on it. People assume it’s the real thing. I don’t think she bothers to correct them π
Louis Vuitton Turkey Prices:
Oh..I kept the wallet for myself. I know l could Β afford the real one, but l could never bring myself to pay $1500 for a bag or $795 for a walle!!!. Certainly not when l could get both for $165!!! For those of you with a little extra cash, you’ll be happy to know there is a Karl Lagerfeld designed L.VΒ punching bag that is now available and priced at a mere $175,000. Better get yours before they run out!
Update 2019:
I still have the wallet and it’s still going strong. Yes! I think the worn looks makes people absolutely believe that the wallet is real, and just like my sister, I don’t correct them. My sister also still has her bag, so there! π
Related Reading: Istanbul guide
Now my brother wants a genuine, fake Rolex! The cheapskate π π π . There was also a Gucci scarf l am kicking myself for not buying! That l would wear. See why l need to go back???
Arasta Bazaar Address:
Sultan Ahmet, Mimar Mehmet AΔa Cd. No:2, 34122 Fatih/Δ°stanbul, Turkey
Are Louis Vuitton bags worth it?
The genuine ones? not in my opinion. These Louis Vuitton bags made in Turkey? Definitely worth it. The prices are reasonable and they last just as long. They have all the genuine markings, so if you can get yourself a Louis Vuitton knockoff that is made in Turkey, you should. The selection at the bazaar right behind the Blue Mosque is absolutely worth it and a great find. I’m glad we purchased from there and not the ones from the Grand Bazaar.
Trivia – Many famous politicians and show biz types including Shakira, Ellen and Bill Clinton have shopped here. Think about that the next time you see famous people with their “designer” bags :-).
What do you think of my bag and wallet? Does it fool you? Am l a horrible person for buying a knock off Louis Vuitton? Would you purchase a knock off anything?
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Would you purchase a knock off anything? Mos definitely!!! I would not go for a cheap imitation, but a genuine – fake (one that cannot be discerned by a naked eye) why not?
I have to admit that l love my genuine fake wallet! It still looks great. I kept the box. It brings a smile to my face every time l see it (because l know it’s a good fake).. π . It probably won’t be my last genuine fake!
Lol, Kemkem! I’m with you! I could NEVER bring myself to spend thousands of dollars on a purse. Just won’t do it. I like high end clothes, but I usually buy them at discounters like Marshall’s or on the deep discount sales racks at department stores. I search for my bargains! But the majority of my wardrobe consists of no-name/unknown name brands, and that suits me just fine. Any name brand items I have were all purchased at a discount. Plus, I’m not big on brands that plaster their logo all over their products. I really like the wallet you got for your sister. Simple, elegant, and high quality even if it’s a knock off. Good for you, Kemkem. Being thrifty is one of the reasons you’re able to travel and live the lifestyle you want. By the way, thanks for the wet leather test – I’d never heard of that!
I really dislike them getting free advertisement from me.. Lol! I suppose if you had millions, the 2,000 would be like 200 for us. I could almost see spending that much…maybe…lol! I kept the wallet, l gave her the bag. The wallet looks just as lovely as it did the first day. It really is well made. And l am so glad l got it…:-) π π
If you’d never buy a “real” bag, then LV isn’t losing your business when you buy a fake one! I’m not a labels gal, either, and I love a good souvenir I can wear/use. Looks like a winner to me π
Very true ! They are not losing my business π . I usually buy a fridge magnet and send ourselves a postcard from trips, but l have to say, every time l use the wallet, it reminds me of Istanbul and it brings a big old smile to my face π π
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with buying a fake! Buy what you want! $2,295 for a purse is seriously stupid anyway.
It is insanely costly, but l suppose to a supremely rich person, it would be pennies..I’ll stick with my fake wallet π
I’m seriously fooled kemkem. Good on yer! I wouldn’t spend that much on a bag myself but I have spent a not “unreasonable amount” on a tweed suit from RENΓ LEZARD at Berlin’s equivalent to Harrods – KaDeWe. The trick? Wait until the after-Xmas sales LOL!
Sometimes there are things you want, expensive or not that you just need to have. I get that, and have done damage in the past. Now..I am over them, but l still love handbags, but will stick to my D&B and Brahmin. That Berlin department store is seriously huge!!! Glad l fooled you!!! π π
Looks pretty good for a fake. I would not pay full price either so you can find a really good fake I say go for it. I do prefer the real deal though. I actually bought a real LV mini bag that cost $250 many years ago. I felt so guilty about paying that much for such a tiny bag that I returned it and bought a coach mini instead for $90. Ha! I haven’t bought a handbag in while but if I do need one I go to the outlets near where I live to get the real thing. I usually just stick to coach bags though. There more affordable than the other brands.
I used to love Coach in the old days, you know , with the plain colors..black or brown leather. I stopped buying them when they got popular and colorful. This is my first, but will not be my only. I want the Gucci scarf..:-) I wish l had gotten it whilst there! I usually stick with my current fave..Brahmin, but l gotta say..I love this fake wallet. Funny how you returned your LV for the coach. $250 for a mini pouch back then does sound like a lot..the outlets are pretty good for finding deals. π
I wouldn’t know a Coach from a Chanel from a LV, so whether you pay $10 or 165 or 2300, you could fool me! And my wife is even worse – she hasn’t even heard of the luxury brands (which explains how we can retire in our 30’s! π ).
Go for it. If you like the style and price of the knock off, it’s a good deal for you. And if you lose it or mess it up, you won’t feel like crap that your $2300 “investment” is ruined.
You are so lucky that your wife couldn’t care less! Makes life a whole lot easier, doesn’t it? I am thoroughly enjoying the wallet π , almost as much as my sister is enjoying her “LV” bag.
Hi there
Your wallet looks great. DO you remember the shop details by any chance? I am going to Istanbul soon and would love to buy one for myself.
Thanks!!
Hello there! I am so jealous of your trip :-). I can’t wait to visit Istanbul again. If you take a look at my post on the Blue Mosque, there is a picture of the lone woman selling her little things. Go through there and to the left and down the steps. The small bazaar is located just past the outdoor cafe. The store will be on your right hand side, almost to the end (there are fewer stores selling bags etc on the right). It was either the last or the second to the last. It had 2 rooms, bags and scarves to the right and if you go to the second room, he had the wallets in a display case right in the middle. I hope this helps. I am still kicking myself for not getting a Gucci scarf that l saw there..and yes.. l still have my wallet, and it still looks great!!! Have fun on your trip, and thanks for stopping by.
Hi Kemkem,
I was in Istanbul few months ago and couldn’t find any good fake LV bag. Are you happen to have their name card by any chance? I will ask if they can ship abroad, :).
Much thanks!!!!
Hi Yen, I’m sorry but l don’t remember the name of the store, only that it was at the small bazaar at the Blue Mosque. Yeah..the quality of the ones at the Grand Bazaar were pretty bad. I still use the wallet today, and my sister’s bag still looks great. It didn’t even occur to me to keep the card, and everything included was all “LV”. π
Thank you for your comment, and may I have the store address for LV bags.
Hi, I have updated the post to reflect the address and name of the bazaar. Hope it helps, and happy shopping.
I wonder if they would ship to USA?
I think l would say no on instinct. I know they have harsh counterfeit laws on both sides so you would probably be in a lot of trouble on the receiving end, and they might be too.