Deluxe by Dana Thomas (2007, Hardcover)

This book was an excellent look at how your luxury bags are really made. It may make you think twice before you plunk down another $1,000 to buy a Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, etc. You see how the bags are made, where they are made and learn the secrets to these big names. Some bags are made well with a lot of detailed workmanship, other very big name bags are made in virtual sweatshops and then bagged up for you to pay big bucks for. You also learn how America sometimes gets the "leftovers" and what countries get the finest bags made. It's a really eye-opener if you love the labels like I do.

While I greatly anticipated the arrival this book for the "insider information" it provided into the handbag industry, most of the info wasn't exactly breaking news to me as a longtime seller and of course collector of high end handbags. I am not sure how many handbag collectors would be shocked to know that most Louis Vuitton bags are mass produced, for example.
The only real negative comment I have though is that this book was NOT fact-checked very well, as there are several glaring inaccuracies stated as fact. I found that especially true in the section on Hermes, in which the author made certain statements that were simply and verifiably untrue.
Other than that, for someone who's just looking for a fashion-related book that is on the whole an interesting read I would give it a rating of "good".