The first time I ever learned about Birkin bags I was watching Gilmore Girls. Logan, Rory’s rich boyfriend, bought her one as a gift and everyone who knew what a Birkin bag was completely freaked out. Those bags have a starting price of $20K which means only the one percent are able to afford them.

For decades, owning luxury fashion items from brand giants like Hermes or Prada served as a symbol of status and wealth. These high-end luxury fashion goods have largely been out of reach for the average consumer. But with Donald Trump’s fight to win the tariff war, that might change. New revelations about the industry are having an impact on how we see these products and what we purchase.

What Happened?

In mid-April, Chinese manufacturers leaked insider trade secrets on TikTok. They warned that Trump’s increases on tariffs– at one point up to 145%– might be undercut if Americans learned how to buy directly from the manufacturer. These videos, which have been largely taken down, claimed that high end designers like Hermes (the Birkin creator) and Louis Vuitton who both claim origination exclusively in Europe, are manufactured in China. To make matters worse, those same factories trying to make direct connections to consumers, also claimed that they also produce the widely popular knock-offs of the same products. Though the luxury brands have largely disputed these claims by saying that only “portions” of their products are made in China, if at all, and that the hand sewn features and emblems are stitched in Europe, the facts still appear suspect.

Change in Perspective, Change in Value?

There are two questions that are raised from these scandalous revelations. The first most obvious one is what are we paying for? If designer products are being made in the same way, by the same hands and processes as the fake goods that cost a fraction of the price, why would we pay outrageous prices for the good stuff? 

I think people began to ask this question years ago when companies like Amazon started showcasing more “dupes.” These products that ranged from tea kettles, to popular bouclé chairs, and matching cashmere sets, were copy-cat products that turned out to be just as good as the originals. Removing the brand name associated with those items didn’t mean poor quality.

This is comparable to what people say about luxury fashion goods: the quality is not that much better. So what are people paying for? The name associated with it. If you want to flaunt that you own a Birkin or a Prada bag, you’ll make sure to put out Birkin and Prada cash for it. But in a tumbling economy on the brink of recession, I highly doubt people will be doing this. 

Which brings me to my second question: how will the fashion industry change? This question is yet to be known. We live in a world where chasing clout is still so many people’s main priority. The fact that we even have cyber trucks on the road is a good indication of how people love to use their money to show off their wealth. Which brings me back to the beginning–this latest scandal won’t solve much. It might only showcase what we already know: that labels are powerful and that people will use various means to elevate their status– even if the value of the product isn’t real.