PROMOCEAN
Counterfeit Revolution: How Knock Offs Challenge the Luxury Industrial Complex and Popularize Designer Replicas
Designer replicas are becoming increasingly popular as they now offer quality similar to the original luxury items, encouraging people to wear them without shame.
In the past, wearing a counterfeit designer product could tarnish one’s reputation. However, the high-quality knock offs available today have disrupted the luxury influencing scene, with more people embracing them proudly. British blogger Georgia May revealed a $75 knockoff of LOUIS VUITTONS’s Capucines BB handbag to her 240,000 TikTok followers, even though the authentic product retails for $6,750.
As the economy evolves, designer replicas are gaining social acceptance. Data from the European Union Intellectual Property Office shows that 37% of Gen Z respondents admitted to buying fake products in the past year. TikTok content tagged with #DHgate, a Chinese marketplace notorious for selling counterfeit designer goods, has garnered 3 billion views.
The rise of knockoffs challenges influencer-driven consumerism and the need for expensive, high-end labels to maintain a polished online presence
Some luxury influencers, like Jeffrey Huang, argue that counterfeit products undermine the luxury market, as people buy fake items and pass them off as authentic. However, others contend that the rise of knockoffs challenges influencer-driven consumerism and the need for expensive, high-end labels to maintain a polished online presence. As counterfeit goods become more sophisticated and visually indistinguishable from the real thing, influencers are adopting them to achieve the appearance of affluence.
The counterfeit luxury industry, estimated to be worth $400-$600 billion, has sparked the need for authentication services to differentiate between real and fake products. Advocates for counterfeit items argue that buying fakes is a financially savvy choice in times of economic uncertainty. For some, it’s an act of defiance against an industry that thrives on exclusivity and scarcity.
Critics have also accused luxury influencers of being out of touch with their audience’s financial realities.
However, there are ethical concerns regarding the counterfeit industry. Brett Staniland, a model and sustainable fashion creator, highlights the importance of fair wages and intellectual property rights for those who produce these items. Critics have also accused luxury influencers of being out of touch with their audience’s financial realities.
With soaring inflation rates, it’s not surprising that creators are prioritizing their own needs over ethical considerations.
Despite these concerns, luxury influencers like Huang remain unapologetic about their content, which some followers appreciate for its aspirational quality. As fast-fashion brands attempt to become more sustainable, luxury brands continue to grapple with the growing popularity of knockoffs. The normalization of counterfeit items raises questions about the impact on design houses, manufacturers, department stores, and consumers, but with soaring inflation rates, it’s not surprising that creators are prioritizing their own needs over ethical considerations.
The article was adapted from buzzfeednews.com.
Behold the Plague of Luxury Purse Fatigue
Luxury Purses, Overexposed, the Overrated, and the Outright Exhausting.
Ah, the modern age! Where we spend a staggering 2.5 hours a day scrolling through social media, allowing our minds to be occupied by the latest trends and fads. For a select few, like yours truly, this digital dalliance is a necessary evil, a work-related hazard. But let’s not mince words, shall we? It’s the perfect opportunity for luxury fashion brands to infiltrate our brains, determined to have us believe we absolutely need that shiny new purse. Take GUCCI, for instance, practically force-feeding us their bamboo top-handle flap bag. How charming.
Now, as a self-proclaimed luxury purse aficionado, I’m not opposed to the occasional handbag being thrust upon me. What does irk me, though, is the sight of that very same luxury purse paraded on every celebrity, influencer, and advertisement in existence. It’s called luxury purse fatigue, and it’s reaching epidemic proportions.
Luxury purse fatigue is the burnout we experience when a particular handbag reaches peak saturation in the media.
What is this Purse Fatigue, you ask? In a world where we’re exhausted by the most mundane of choices, luxury purse fatigue is the burnout we experience when a particular handbag reaches peak saturation in the media. And who’s to blame for this overexposure? The usual suspects: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and good ol’ Google.
With most of us unable to acquire every luxury designer bag our hearts desire, social media offers a virtual buffet of vicarious indulgence. Reviews, influencers, and advertisements give us a taste of luxury without the price tag. But in a cutthroat industry where every brand is vying for our attention, it seems overexposure is the key to being noticed. How delightfully counterintuitive.
The result? The mystique of a luxury item dissipates when every Hadid, Jenner, and their extended family flaunts it on the ‘gram. Oh, the joys of luxury purse fatigue!
“But wait,” I hear you cry, “does purse fatigue always lead to saturation?” Fear not, for it is a matter of personal perception. A dash of visibility among the right crowd can be tantalizing. Overdo it, however, and that once-exclusive accessory is now as common as the cold.
Visibility has long been a concern for the luxury market, with the inflated price of exclusivity being a primary selling point.
Visibility has long been a concern for the luxury market, with the inflated price of exclusivity being a primary selling point. But when everyone and their cousin sports the same accessory, that veneer of exclusivity cracks, and purse fatigue ensues.
So, what’s a fashion house to do? While addressing saturation can involve limiting production or implementing quota arrangements, purse fatigue proves a trickier beast. Designers must carefully select the ideal brand representatives, avoiding any perceived dilution of their image. But can we truly expect them not to pursue every sale with relentless vigor? After all, money makes the fashion world go ’round.
The evolving definition of luxury now finds us seeking solace in lesser-known, inconspicuous indie designers. We might still ogle the latest GUCCI or PRADA, but when it comes to spending our hard-earned cash, we’re opting for unique, under-the-radar treasures that truly reflect our individuality.
Add to this the rise of counterfeiters exploiting social media to create replicas before the real deal even hits the shelves, and one must ask: what does this all say about the state of the luxury industry? Are you as fatigued by it as I am?
The article was adapted from purseblog.com.
The Luxury of Dupes: How TikTok’s Trendy Mindset Mocks the High Life
Welcome to the golden era of dupes! In a world where luxury has become an aspirational pursuit, TikTok is serving us a delicious buffet of irony and sarcasm.
Say goodbye to the days when owning the latest GUCCI belt was a must-have status symbol. Today, it’s all about finding the perfect dupe and flaunting it with a wink and a nod.
At the heart of this fascinating trend is the dupe mindset – a cheeky, yet self-aware perspective on the luxury industry. Strolling through Target or Walmart, it’s hard not to notice the uncanny resemblance of certain items to their high-end counterparts. But the dupe mindset isn’t just about finding knockoffs; it’s about embracing the humor and irony in chasing after a carefully curated lifestyle on a budget.
It seems that Gen Z has shifted the narrative around knockoffs and luxury.
TikTok has played a vital role in transforming the concept of dupes from a taboo into a viral sensation. With hashtags like #reps, #dupe, and #tiktokmademebuyit racking up billions of views, it seems that Gen Z has shifted the narrative around knockoffs and luxury. Today, finding the perfect dupe is no longer a guilty secret, but rather a fun and exciting challenge.
But why the sudden love for dupes? It could be the result of inflation, a decline in production quality, or simply a new generation of cash-strapped teens with an unquenchable thirst for high-end living. Whatever the reason, the hunt for the perfect dupe has become a profitable game for content creators and a source of endless entertainment for their audiences.
In a delightful twist of irony, influencers are now creating “dupe” content by mimicking each other’s videos.
What’s even more interesting is how the meaning of the word “dupe” has evolved in the age of TikTok. Once a term reserved for near-identical knockoffs, it has now come to represent anything that remotely resembles its luxurious counterpart. And in a delightful twist of irony, influencers are now creating “dupe” content by mimicking each other’s videos.
The dupe mindset is a brilliant example of how social media can mock and challenge our perceptions of luxury and status. It goes beyond mere product comparisons, highlighting the absurdity of our constant quest for social validation. In a world where FENDI sunglasses and PRADA totes are reduced to mere punchlines, it seems that the dupe mindset has truly turned the luxury industry on its head.
So, the next time you spot a fabulous dupe on TikTok, remember to laugh along and embrace the irony. After all, it’s not every day that you can snag a slice of luxury on a Walmart budget – even if it’s just a clever imitation. Happy duping!
What’s the Deal with It Bag Has-Beens?A cautionary tale of a dreaded fashion fate.
We’ve all seen it. Bags that totally eclipse all conceivable expectations and become so sought after and cult worthy that it appears their reign over street style guides, editorial spreads, and our wish lists will never end.
An It bag is a high-priced luxury handbag that has become a hyped best-seller. The phenomenon arose in the luxury industry and was named in the 1990s and 2000s. Examples of handbag brands that have been considered “It bags” are CHANEL, HERMÈS and FENDI.
But, alas, the harder they rise, the harder they fall. It seems the desirable levels of popularity some bags once possessed can just as quickly turn against them. Overexposure, increasing competition from new designs, and fashion fanatics simply getting sick of certain styles can all contribute to the downfall of beloved bags.
And so enter, handbag has-beens. Sometimes a direct result of our collective purse fatigue, and sometimes something more. These styles once ruled fashion’s handbag hotlist, now seeing their popularity dwindle. But what makes a design in danger of becoming a handbag has-been? And is there any way to predict which bags will meet this fate next? Let’s find out.
The Danger of Overexposure
A little bit of mystery goes a long way when it comes to luxury bags, and it’s one way to combat that dreaded handbag fatigue we’ve discussed. And while it’s great for sales when a design becomes the ‘It’ bag of the moment and is spotted on every billboard, Instagram advert, and influencer at Fashion Week, too much exposure too quickly can threaten the longevity of a bag’s popularity.
Case in point, the LOUIS VUITTON Multi Pochette Accessoires. Released in late 2019, this design arguably started the multi-bag phenomenon, which saw handbag aficionados scrambling to carry a multitude of bags incorporated into one design. The trend, and this style in particular, became a cult favorite, and the bag (which is, in fact, two pouches resembling the Pochette Accessoires and a Round Coin Purse all attached to a thick cross-body strap) was sold out everywhere for months after its release. But fast forward to 2023, and the design is nowhere to be seen.
The problem with bags garnering wild levels of popularity and exposure very quickly is that this momentum is hard to maintain and can leave fashion insiders and consumers prematurely bored of seeing the bag.
The wild hype surrounding certain bags notoriously drives up resale prices, this investment potential is often overinflated and short-lived.
One bag that could potentially fall victim to the curse of overexposure is the BALENCIAGA Le Cagole. Providing today’s trendsetters with a rush of Y2K nostalgia, the Le Cagole has been the breakout bag of the 2020s so far. With its overembellished studded design, inspired by BALENCIAGA’s famous Motorcycle line, and coveted curved shoulder bag silhouette, the style has quickly risen to widespread popularity. But since the Le Cagole has experienced so much exposure and popularity in a reasonably short time, it’s arguably lost an element of its mystique. It’s faced with the difficulty of maintaining momentum and continuing its relevance.
The luxury resale market has long been an avenue for shoppers to score ‘It’ bags sold out everywhere else. The wild hype surrounding certain bags notoriously drives up resale prices and leads shoppers to believe that a bag has lucrative investment potential. But when bags climb to cult-favorite status very quickly, this investment potential is often overinflated and short-lived.
When a bag’s acclaim is largely thanks to a popular new trend or aesthetic, the design risks becoming a has-been.
Fashion can be fickle. Trends that show no signs of stalling are often over before you know it. So when a bag’s acclaim is largely thanks to a popular new trend or aesthetic, the design risks becoming a has-been. Take the PRADA Re-Edition bags. Many designs have come to be associated with the resurgence of early 2000s fashion, but perhaps no bag selection is more synonymous with fashion’s Y2K revival than PRADA’s Re-Edition styles.
Crafted from the label’s signature nylon material and shaped to a sleek and functional shoulder bag silhouette, bags from the line were on the arm of every celebrity. They dominated trend guides during the early 2020s. But just a couple of years later, PRADA’s Re-Edition bags noticeably lack the popularity they once enjoyed despite repeatedly being dubbed as classics, and styles from the range struggle to receive the same level of interest from editors, stylists, influencers, and consumers today. The fashion world has moved on and is obsessing over new styles.
When a bag is commonly associated with a certain era in the minds of consumers, it is often prematurely labeled as outdated.
A bag doesn’t have to perfectly embody a specific trend or the style of a particular era to be at risk of ending up a handbag has-been. Sometimes when a bag is commonly associated with a certain era in the minds of consumers, it is often prematurely labeled as outdated once the era is over. One example is the CHANEL Maxi Classic Flap. As fashion waved goodbye to the compact purses of the early 2000s, it ushered in a new era of tote bag love which saw large and slouchy styles reign supreme. As a scaled-up version of a CHANEL icon, the Maxi Classic Flap became the go-to CHANEL bag of many during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Paparazzi images featuring the likes of Lauren Conrad donning the super-sized CHANEL favorite, along with the decade’s other must-have styles, such as skinny jeans and wedge sneakers, have cemented the bag’s association with the era’s fashion.
There are countless examples of designs that have remained must-haves for decades, like the HERMÈS Birkin, CHANEL Classic Flap, LOUIS VUITTON Speedy, and many more.
There is, of course, the concept of a bag becoming so sought after that the only direction its popularity can go is down. This doesn’t happen to all beloved bags. There are countless examples of designs that have remained must-haves for decades, like the HERMÈS Birkin, CHANEL Classic Flap, LOUIS VUITTON Speedy, and many more. But there’s a growing list of once classic bags with dwindling popularity. 
There are certainly some styles that are more likely to miss out on continued long-term popularity.
Two obvious examples come in the form of the CHANEL Grand Shopping Tote and LOUIS VUITTON Neverfull. As some of the most sought-after tote bags of all time, these two designs reached peak popularity during the 2010s, and while they are undisputed classics, they simply don’t boast the same widespread popularity they once did. Some social media users have even taken to platforms like TikTok to brand the styles “over.”
Handbags gaining and losing popularity is an inevitable part of fashion. Whether styles fall from grace because of fickle trend cycles or consumers getting sick of seeing the same thing, handbags becoming has-beens is nothing new. But there are certainly some styles that are more likely to miss out on continued long-term popularity. And for handbag lovers eager to invest in enduring classics, it won’t hurt to be on the lookout for signs that a style’s popularity could be doomed to plummet.
The article was adapted from purseblog.com
BOTTEGA VENETA Ties the Knot Again
First of Its Kind, Last of Its Kind. The new BOTTEGA VENETA knot clutch highlights the brand’s signature woven leather.
Since its founding in 1966, BOTTEGA VENETA has been producing leather goods in the small northern Italian city of Vicenza, where artisans make handcrafted bags and other accessories using a centuries-old technique called Intrecciato, weaving strips of leather into a tightly crosshatched pattern.
Maier was determined to protect BOTTEGA’s bags from trends. Shortly after his appointment, he came across a rounded box clutch circa 1978 in the archives and decided to make it his own.
Since its founding in 1966, BOTTEGA VENETA has been producing leather goods in the small northern Italian city of Vicenza, where artisans make handcrafted bags and other accessories using a centuries-old technique called Intrecciato, weaving strips of leather into a tightly crosshatched pattern. Refined yet durable, the interlocking motif came to signify discreet luxury.
In 2001, when the German designer Tomas Maier arrived as the brand’s creative director, the fashion industry was at the height of It bag mania and the accompanying obsession with monograms, flashy hardware and other embellishments. But Maier was determined to protect BOTTEGA’s bags from trends.
Shortly after his appointment, he came across a rounded box clutch circa 1978 in the archives and decided to make it his own, swapping out its rectangular clasp for one shaped like a nautical rope and naming the curvy pochette Knot. Since spring 2002, most seasons have included iterations of the clutch, which has been reimagined in an array of materials, colors and sizes.
The hypertextured Knot Clutch, which comes in onyx and bone, is unmistakably BOTTEGA— synonymous, said Blazy, with “style over fashion in its timelessness.”
Last November, Matthieu Blazy, who had been overseeing ready-to-wear at BOTTEGA since 2020, took over as artistic director. For his fall 2022 debut, the 38-year-old designer — a French and Belgian national who previously worked at CALVIN KLEIN, CELINE and MAISON MARGIELA — took inspiration from Umberto Boccioni’s 1913 Futurist sculpture “Unique Forms of Continuity in Space.” “BOTTEGA VENETA is, in essence, pragmatic,”
Blazy said in the show notes. “Because it specializes in bags, it is about movement … there is fundamentally an idea of craft in motion.” Not surprisingly, Intrecciato showed up in many of Blazy’s creations, including over-the-knee boots, miniskirts, bucket totes, chunky belts and driving loafers — and, notably, his reinterpretation of that now-iconic Knot Clutch.
Blazy’s foulard Knot is composed of interwoven strips of paper-thin calf leather, with a slightly softer silhouette than the original and a twisted, brass-toned clasp. The hypertextured bag, which comes in onyx and bone, is unmistakably BOTTEGA— synonymous, said Blazy, with “style over fashion in its timelessness.”
The article was adapted from nytimes.com.
The BOTTEGA VENETA Knot Minaudière On Strap Has Arrived
BOTTEGA VENETA’s iconic Knot gained immense popularity even without loud monograms or shiny logos.
With its curved corners, magnetic frame closure, structured body and knotted hardware, BOTTEGA VENETA’s iconic Knot gained immense popularity even without loud monograms or shiny logos. Over the years, it became a go-to favourite, carried as a chic clutch for evening parties and the like. And then it disappeared.
Matthieu Blazy has brought back the beloved icon in a refreshing new interpretation.
The good news? Matthieu Blazy has brought back the beloved icon in a refreshing new interpretation. Along with the classic, there’s also the Knot Minaudière On Strap with an extra intreccio strap for wearing over the shoulder.
The woven leather on the bag has an extra plisse-like detailing that gives it extra character. This acts a way of identifying newer versions of the Knot unveiled at Bottega Veneta’s Fall-Winter 2022 line-up.
You will notice that the knot isn’t placed on top this time. Instead, it appears on both sides as a securing mechanism for the 20cm (drop length) leather shoulder strap. Each bag measures 19 cm wide and 11.5 cm high, coming in Barolo (deep red), Bone (white) and Black foulard Intreccio leather pairing with gold-tone brass hardware.
CHANEL 2023 Price Increase
CHANEL Tests Purse Lovers With $3,000 Price Hikes
CHANEL SA’s small Classic Flap bag was always a luxury item, but after three price hikes last year, it is selling for $8,200. That is up from the $5,200 it cost in 2019.
The French fashion house has been raising prices at a faster pace than other luxury brands, analysts say, prompting an outcry from some shoppers and testing their willingness to pay.
CHANEL increased its prices for 2023 again, and we share which bags are affected and by how much. It came as a surprise to absolutely no one, but considering the latest hikes for CHANEL bags, it’s hard not to wonder when and if the price increases will see an end.
CHANEL 2023 Price Increase Explained
CHANEL’s chief financial officer, Philippe Blondiaux, has shared insights into the CHANEL price increases. Last summer, he said the brand could implement a price increase “to account for currency fluctuations and inflation.” Moreover, he hasn’t shied away from speaking on the increase in being a part of the brand.
The twice-a-year increase has become something expected by customers over the past years as common practice. When asked about the increase’s reasoning, Blondiaux shared with WWD that “We usually revise our prices twice a year. That’s what we’ve always done and will continue to do.”
In 2022, CHANEL maintained the double-digit revenue growth it has accustomed to, even with the closure of stores in Russia and China. However, when looking at the numbers, research analysts for Jefferies shared that the sales uplift the brand has seen could be due to the 21-30% increase in pricing on its bags over the past couple of years versus the overall volume in sales.
The CHANEL Classic Flap is increasing in price by 12-17%, depending on size.
The New CHANEL Prices and What is Affected
The increase was steep! Steep enough that the only Classic Flap under $10,000 is the small size, with the Maxi reaching the $11,000 mark now. The Classics were hit with a 16% increase, soaring prices above $10,000 for most. The Coco Handle, CHANEL 19, and the Pearl Crush were all given a 14% increase across the board.
This was a global increase, affecting many markets. Below you can find the new, updated prices of CHANEL Bags for 2023.
| Classic Bags | New Price | Old Price | % Increase | Delta |
| CHANEL Classic Mini Square Flap Bag | $4,700 | $4,200 | 11.9% | $500 |
| CHANEL Classic Mini Rectangular Flap Bag | $4,900 | $4,400 | 11.36% | $500 |
| CHANEL Classic Small Flap Bag | $9,600 | $8,200 | 17% | $1,400 |
| CHANEL Classic Medium Flap Bag | $10,200 | $8,800 | 16% | $1,400 |
| CHANEL Classic Jumbo Flap Bag | $11,000 | $9,500 | 15.8% | $1,500 |
| CHANEL Classic Maxi Flap Bag | $11,500 | $10,000 | 15% | $1,500 |
| CHANEL Classic Flap Mini Top Handle | $5,400 | $4,800 | 12.5% | $600 |
| CHANEL Coco Handle Mini | $5,400 | $4,800 | $600 | 12.5% |
| CHANEL Coco Handle Small | $5,900 | $5,000 | 18% | $900 |
| CHANEL Coco Handle Medium | $5,500 |
This CHANEL Classic Maxi Flap with an original $3,700 price tag from 2010. This bag now costs $11,700 – over 300% price increase in 13 years.
| Reissue Bags | New Price | Old Price | % Increase | Delta |
| CHANEL Reissue Mini Bag | $4,900 | $4,400 | 11.36% | $500 |
| CHANEL Reissue Regular Bag | $10,200 | $8,800 | 15.91% | $1,400 |
| CHANEL Reissue Large Bag | $11,000 | $9,500 | 15.79% | $1,500 |
| Boy Bags | New Price | Old Price | % Increase | Delta |
| CHANEL Small Boy Flap Bag | $6,100 | $5,400 | 12.96% | $700 |
| CHANEL Medium Boy Flap Bag | $6,600 | $5,900 | 11.86% | $700 |
| CHANEL Large Boy Flap Bag | $7,000 | $6,200 | 12.90% | $800 |
| Wallet-On-Chain Bags | New Price | Old Price | % Increase | Delta |
| CHANEL Classic WOC Bag | $3,350 | $2,950 | 13.56% | $400 |
| CHANEL Boy WOC Bag | $3,425 | $3,000 | 14.17% | $425 |
| CHANEL 19/22 Bags | New Price | Old Price | % Increase | Delta |
| CHANEL 19 Small Bag | $6,400 | $5,700 | 12.28% | $700 |
| CHANEL 19 Large Bag | $6,800 | $6,300 | 7.94% | $500 |
| CHANEL 19 Maxi Bag | $7,500 | $6,900 | 8.70% | $600 |
| CHANEL 22 | $5,800 | $5,300 | 9.43% | $500 |
Impact on the CHANEL Consumer
The price increases are partly due to CHANEL’s desire to become more exclusive. However, the rate at which these bags have increased has turned many off. Customers of the brand have a hard time stomaching paying nearly $1,000 more for the same bag overnight. Additionally, the frequency and the secrecy of the price increases have some turned off as well.
One user on our forum shared that “when Tiffany’s had a price increase, my SA let me know weeks in advance. I feel like CHANEL just wants us to keep spending more. I just can’t help but feel like I’m in an emotionally abusive relationship.”
While other brands also implement increases, CHANEL seems to be in a league of its own with the percentage and consistency of increases. Though the brand has worked for worldwide price equality, the new prices put these bags on par with Hermès pricing and as reported by many, out of reach.
Final Thoughts
While many feel negative about the price increase, plenty will begrudgingly pay more for the bags they have been eying and others won’t even bat an eye. CHANEL understands its core customer well, one they will confidently retain while reaching new luxury customers.
In-store, plenty of bags are still sold before they ever hit the shelves, letting you know that while these increases are a broadly criticized practice by the brand, it isn’t pricing out its core audience from buying CHANEL.
Who’s “Deserving” of Luxury?
Luxury: A Game of Thrones, Without the Dragons. Let’s dissect the inner workings of snobbery and gatekeeping within the luxury goods realm. Grab your monocle and take a seat…
While meandering through the abyss of old blog posts, I stumbled upon one that held my attention. Not due to the anonymous author’s riveting prose but because of a dramatic comment section saga unfolding beneath.
Who hath the right to don CHANEL?
As writers, we know the comment section can be a wild west of opinions, but seeing someone’s hard-earned dream purchase of an LV Onthego bag met with such contempt was disheartening. What was the issue, you ask?
The anonymous commenter had no qualms about fake luxury goods being the scourge of the Earth, which is fair game. The problem arose when the commenter deemed the author unworthy of owning the genuine article based on her less prestigious, low-wage job. According to this critic, the author would never be “one of us, ” even with the bag in hand.” Ah, gatekeeping at its finest.
This got the wheels turning: How do we decide who belongs in our luxury-loving community? What mysterious criteria are used to judge the worthiness of one’s consumer habits? Who, pray to tell, is genuinely “deserving” of luxury? Spoiler alert: everyone. Yes, luxury goods are pricey and not accessible to all, but that doesn’t dictate who’s worthy of ownership.
Luxury Branding suggests luxury consumption helps fulfill social needs and build identity. Luxury goods are status symbols, signaling one’s actual or desired societal position
So why the division? Research from the 2020 Handbook for Luxury Branding suggests luxury consumption helps fulfill social needs and build identity. Luxury goods are status symbols, signaling one’s actual or desired societal position. Possessing such items is often seen as a privilege reserved for those with inherited or earned status. And no, this mindset isn’t fresh off the press.
We haven’t evolved much from ancient Greeks banning Spartans from owning gold or silver. But as luxury brands open the gates to the “non-elites,” it becomes trickier for gatekeepers to maintain their exclusivity. They grasp at straws, like socio-cultural capital, to determine who’s “worthy.” But when someone defies these arbitrary standards, the gatekeepers feel threatened and resort to petty tactics to protect their fragile identity.
After all, we’re all just people with a penchant for pretty things.
Frankly, it’s an unpalatable display. The only undeserving ones are those who forget that kindness and understanding are free and can only enrich a community that thrives on our shared love of luxury. So, let’s ditch the snobbery and gatekeeping, shall we? After all, we’re all just people with a penchant for pretty things.
The article was adapted from pursblog.com.
Why are Luxury Dupes Popular With Gen Z & Millennials?
A growing number of Gen Z and Millennials are drawn to affordable and accessible luxury alternatives, with many opting for dupes instead of the real thing.
Despite their interest in luxury goods, a substantial 47% of 13-39-year-olds have never purchased a luxury product due to affordability concerns. Consequently, the majority concur that luxury brands should offer more affordable items for wider accessibility. This has prompted these innovative generations to explore alternative means of acquiring luxury items.
The Thriving GUCCI Dupes Trend Among Gen Z
The luxury resale market, driven by young consumers, offers one way to acquire luxury products at lower prices. According to YPulse, 33% of 13-39-year-olds shop for secondhand luxury items, with high demand for brands like Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. Moreover, research from The Real Real indicates that sold-out pieces attract 50% more new buyers than regular resale items.
The Rise of Luxury Dupes on Social Media
Another approach that young consumers are adopting to access luxury is by purchasing “dupes” or cheaper imitations of high-end items from affordable brands. This trend has gained significant traction on social media in recent years, with accounts like @dupethat amassing 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Additionally, lifestyle publications frequently share advice on where to find the best luxury dupes. On TikTok, hashtags like #makeupdupes and #dupes have garnered millions of views, with users showcasing fake products from brands like Gucci, Chanel, Lululemon, Louis Vuitton, and Cartier.
A Global Interest in Dupes
Approximately 47% of 13-39-year-olds have purchased a luxury dupe or fake product, with cost being the primary reason they haven’t bought genuine luxury items. This trend has led to a surge in demand for dupes on platforms like Amazon, AliExpress, and DHGate. Interestingly, this phenomenon is not limited to North America; similar numbers have been reported in Western Europe, indicating that the interest in dupes is a global occurrence.
While luxury dupes may be beneficial for cost-conscious young consumers, they may pose challenges for luxury brands seeking to maintain exclusivity and brand value.
The article was adapted from ypulse.com.
Scuffed-up Chic: How A Worn HERMÈS Birkin Bag Became the Ultimate Symbol of Snobbish Irony
The resale market has allowed more commoners to obtain these bags, but one’s image is now intricately linked to the bag’s condition.
A 33-year-old fashion enthusiast, Jenny Walton, said HERMÈS Birkin bags never go out of style. She believes a worn-out bag conveys a particular cool factor rather than merely flaunting one’s wealth. Jenny snidely remarked that reality TV stars and their ostentatious displays of pristine HERMÈS Birkin bags are pretty tacky.
Celebrities like Candice Bergen, Julia Fox, Danielle Steel, and Mary-Kate Olsen have all dared to use HERMÈS bags with visible signs of wear and tear, making them seem more approachable and less focused on material possessions. It’s a subtle way of saying, “I’m so fabulously wealthy that I don’t even care if my $10,000 bag looks like a used-car salesman’s briefcase.”
The iconic Birkin bag, released in 1984, was conceived during a chat between actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, the CEO of HERMÈS at the time. Jane needed a bag to carry around her children’s belongings, and Dumas obliged. Who knew that such a mundane conversation would lead to the creation of one of the world’s most sought-after status symbols?
As Mr. Marx eloquently said, “It’s just a bag. Who cares if it’s beaten up?”
Even the Haut à Courroies bag, originally designed for transporting saddles and riding boots, has found a new life among the fashion elite. A well-loved version of the bag, once owned by fashion editor André Leon Talley, recently sold for a whopping $32,000 at a Christie’s auction.
W. David Marx, a luxury culture expert, claims that luxury items must possess an air of nonchalance to function as status symbols. A beat-up HERMÈS bag suggests that the owner isn’t merely using it to flaunt their wealth but rather appreciates it as a functional item.
As Mr. Marx eloquently said, “It’s just a bag. Who cares if it’s beaten up?”
After all, it’s pretty gauche to parade around with a new bag, desperately seeking validation.
If you’re fortunate enough to own a HERMÈS Kelly or Birkin, embrace the snobbery and irony of a well-worn bag. After all, it’s pretty gauche to parade around with a new bag, desperately seeking validation. Simply put, a scuffed-up HERMÈS bag epitomizes high fashion irony.
This article was adapted from nytimes.com.
Why you should buy the CHANEL 2.55 Double Flap Replica Bag
“I didn’t know that I wanted the CHANEL 2.55 Double Flap Bag until I got the replica.”
Let’s unpack my latest arrival. I got the CHANEL 2.55 Classic Lamb Skin Double Flap. She is in size 30. The bag came in a CHANEL gift box with a very smooth, almost velvety to immediately give a feel of authenticity.
I also love that the box has magnetic closures. As I take the bag out of the plastic, I notice the dust cloth it came in. So cute. So pretty. And there you can see Lady Coco Chanel on the dust bag. I love that.
As I said, I ordered CHANEL 2.55 Classic size 30 lamb skin, double flap purse. It’s so pretty. I’m just taking the plastic off of that Double C CHANEL symbol. And as you can see, opening the bag with just the turn button is effortless. And yeah, they had the little paper inside to protect the bag, and I love that peekaboo burgundy flap that’s inside as well. But first, I like that it has a zipper on top, and you can place something small at the top of that flap.
In the back of the inside of the purse, you can stuff something down in there, maybe you put the chain to the bag and it won’t disrupt the main part of the bag. I love that burgundy. And this is your main compartment of the bag where you would put most of your items at right there. On the inside of the bag, it did come with two CHANEL cards. One was in an envelope. It carries the bag’s serial number, you will see inside the bag. as well.
You get a decent size front pouch in the front of the bag. I love that. This bag has so many different compartments for you to hold stuff. I love the CHANEL engraved into that leather with the burgundy peek-A-boo flap. The CHANEL logo is engraved into the gold hardware. There you have a pouch in the back of the purse. One of my favorite features of this bag is the adjustable strap, where you can take it from regular to long.
So as you can see, the bag is beautiful. I didn’t want the CHANEL Classic until I got it. I had no idea. I did not know what this bag was. As soon as I pulled it out of the box, I was like, this is an It bag. This is it the real stuff. She is it. She is everything. I love this bag. I love the quality.
I love the versatility of this bag. This bag has the most versatility out of any bag I’ve ever owned. I love the double straps.
Just push the strap up, and then you get that cross-body look. You can see, then you get that cross-body look. So cute, so elegant. I really should have put some pearls on today. But I love that look as well.
Also, if you want to do a clutch-style look, even though the flap bag is kind of big if you still want to do a clutch look, all you have to do is pull it through from the inside and make sure you got it tight enough. You’ve got that back pocket that you could use to put your straps in that won’t disrupt any of your options on the inside of where you’ll be putting your other belongings, and also with that front pocket up there as well. And don’t forget, you still have the top part that you can use for whatever you’d like to store in your bag also.
I love that it has a back pocket as well. You do not get any posts on the bottom of this bag. This is like a mirror image of the actual CHANEL bag.
I almost missed the gold square pieces in there, there with the CHANEL symbol. And it also has the serial number and the CHANEL symbol engraved into the gold hardware. A nice size, mid-size bag. And you can get this in a smaller bag if you’d like. You can get it. They do have them in smaller sizes. Whatever fits you, whatever fits your style. I am happy with this size 30.”
