Walking back from Crunch, and these women behind me swing big plastic bags – the sturdy, static kind from Chinatown that Vuitton spoofed in ’05.
They are dressed like tourists – that is to say, dressed like they think New York women dress. All black. Pashminas. Boots trying to be Uggs.
The oldest one says to the youngest one, “Honey, do you want me to carry your bag?”
She answers, “No thanks, Mom, I want to carry my own Paddington!” Then she says, “Won’t it be funny if I put it in my Barney’s bag and then everyone thinks it’s real?”
Wow, and I have an idea.
I race home and eBay “Hermes Box,” and “Vuitton Box.”
They’re all buyable, for about $5 – there’s even a Birkin box and an Hermes plastic bag meant to protect your Birkin in the rain, which sells for $100 – and will no doubt sell to some guy who wants to trick his wife into thinking she’s getting a real Birkin for Christmas.
Then I start scheming:
A Tiffany box and a plastic ring, and a girl would be totally and completely fooled.
The packaging is on eBay – for $2.