Thank you for sharing Thor - without inferring any criticism, I reckon the notion that "Made in China" is synonymous with cheap labour and poor quality is dated and no longer true. Labour has become very expensive in Southeast Asia and nowadays the focus of Chinese manufacturing is on quality garment production and technical/specialized assembly like computer chips and car batteries (correct me if I'm wrong, but a majority of Coach leather goods are made in China). Fast Fashion brands have mostly shifted manufacturing contracts to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, among others.
Totally! It’s really outdated and frankly racist to assume because an item is made in China it is of lesser quality than that of Italy. When this expose proved that they are in effect made by the same hands. Interesting point tho when I worked at Nordstrom a lot of Chinese costumers would not want to buy an item if it was made in China, they only wanted made in Europe 🤷
Thank you for the thoughtful video Thor and for opening up a discussion. I have read How Luxury Lost Its Luster. I was took a three day trip to Vegas recently and I have been wanting to get a Tiffany card holder in the Tiffany blue ever since I saw a RUclipsr unbox it last year. I also wanted to get something a small lux item to remember my Vegas trip. I definitely couldn’t afford a bag or a piece of jewelry and but I wanted to splurge on something small. But when I was there, I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. I didn’t even go into Tiffany. Something was holding me back. I just wasn’t feeling 100% on it. I would have to skimp on meals on my trip if I bought that card holder. So instead I ate some nice meals in Vegas and I have zero regrets about it. The food was delicious and I don’t regret not buying the card holder at all. I am pretty disillusioned with luxury at this point but that is just me. I think people will continue to buy luxury in spite of the allegations. There is probably a small minority who will stop buying because of the controversy but the majority will continue to buy.
Thank you for your comment, I totally get it! I feel like I had the same vision for my Vegas trip of wanting to shop at Chrome Hearts but each time I went in, I was just so turned off by the pricing for the item that I walked out empty handed but I don’t regret it! It’s really at the point where the cost vs the experience are totally out of wack!
I really like the comic vert colour of Hermès leathergoods and wanted a card holder in that colour. But it's a ridiculous exercise buying from Hermès, and then I discovered one from an English brand, same colour. 90% cheaper so I got it! The brand is Aspinal of London. I also got a passport holder in a different colour that I love, an ice blue... very inexpensive!
I worked for six years for a house in the group LVMH and some years later when visiting a factory near Shanghai I took a wrong turn in looking for the bathroom and opened a storage room full of DIOR bags ! It was a high end bag factory but Dior had always denied manufacturing in China.
Yep and that's why I generally buy preloved. The canvas is however very lightweight and resilient which is what I like. No point schlepping a massive heavy bag around if it's that way before you put anything into it. I have a great Boston style bag from Etro, an Italian brand it's truly fabulous with a woven paisley design embedded into the...plastic PVC!! LOL people admire it so much but it cost me about AUD $50. Love that bag it was practically in pristine condition and I'm using a cross body strap with it. Canvas was originally used on luggage and it's perfect for a workhorse bag.
Working with a Parisien label we had our knitwear made in Hungary and then I learnt that the factory was outsourcing the knitting to Roumania, the poorer country by far, and then assembling the pieces in Hungary. That's how it works. For years Levis Strauss had their denim made in Mexico and just added the waistbands in the US and added the 'made in USA' label !
I recently bought a Birkin for 120 dollars, really well made and sturdy and who would know ! Good enough for me when I travel. I would NEVER pay thousands for a bag so they are not losing out on a sale !
I forgot to add that the decline in customer service, price increases, and quality issues have led to some moving on from luxury. The long lines is a turnoff for me......I feel like people can't just go in and browse like before the pandemic. The transactional nature of selling luxury if one is not a VIP doesn't motivate me to save for a lux item. The reason why many people admire lux items including myself is the designs are so beautiful. On a side note, I have become a huge fan of Lululemon. Their products and customer service is exceptional. I recently bought their famous belt bag that everyone has been wearing and I must say I am just obsessed. The quality and the functionality is amazing and it is perfect for every day and for travel. I want it in more colors.
@@anthorpology The quality is amazing. I have been using my belt bag daily and it looks brand new. I have examined it closely for any flaws or wear and tear and there is none. I love their tees too. I am lululemon obsessed.
It makes me irritated and upset, obviously - those Savoir Faire videos are ridiculous and a farce. The fact that Dior still has them on their website makes me upset. They should have released an immediate response with some sort of actual apology.
55 years ago I grew up in Beverly Hills - the "name" bags were always way overpriced for what they were/are. "You" have always been paying for expensive shops in very expensive places, huge adversiting campaigns, couture shows (I have heard couture loses money - they make all the money on accessories) and scarcity - oh yes you are also paying for the fantasy that you are rich (and yes, you thought you were paying for quality and good design, but even I at age 11 knew the markup had to be outrageaous). PS Louis Vuitton has ALWAYS been varnished canvas with a bit of leather trim. Even if the workers were getting paid $200 to make a bag, you are still paying a markup of 1000%. PS - no one I knew had a "designer" bag, I assume because they were known as a rip-off.
The scandal has demystified the luxury industry. People aren't falling for the allure anymore. They want practicality and great design and do NOT want to be advertising themselves as fashion VICTIMS to so overpay for the bags. Plus the scandal of exploitation, it makes you into a fashion victim twice! For being part of the exploitation. I've always been cynical and happy to see these developments sink into the mainstream.
Also I really disliked the book tote it's talked about as if it's 'embroidery' and so special but I tried to tell people it's just machined. Now I see it on your video it's confirmation. We pay for their marketing costs. That's 80-90% of it.
@@anthorpology In about 1998 I was on a fashion chat room in NYTimes it was very informative because a wide variety of fashion insiders were there...and one said you should never pay more than about USD$500 for a bag. Adjusted for inflation and still I see Coach is reasonably priced and too many of the big name others are wildly and cynically riding a wave of consumer delusion, but the wave is crashing. Great commentary.
I burst out laughing when you said that the workers were paid fairly for their time, for their artisanal creation!! Seriously, that has never been the case.
I gradually stopped believing in the luxury dream since Balmain made those high priced ripped t-shirts and when Raf Simons/ Jil Sander sold basic python printed cotton t-shirts for 500 bucks many years ago (maybe 10 years or more). I think the writing was already on the wall for me back then. I currently don't believe there's any way for a designer brand to sustainably run a global business model and yet produce true artisanal pieces. I heard the Tom Ford store in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore has a monthly rent of 5 figures. Imagine how many profit they need to make from perfume/ sunnies to pay for that plus the employee salaries. Tom Ford is relatively small compared to Dior. It doesn't math up to me.
Yeah totally, Prada selling white cotton tshirts for $1000 just because it has a brass and enamel logo on it has really disillusioned me. It’s all just clutter and stuff at this rate, cute designs but not worth it at all
I love how fool all the "influencers/ content creators" are jumping ship. Even though they have been promoting products from obscured origin. Don't worry you will have content for years to come
I feel like it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Having worked in luxury for years there’s always been rumors of this and many times it’s true but the sweep it under the rug. I’m rather bored of luxury. I haven’t even been into my Hermes pieces lately. What I have been in to is less known brands and contemporary brands.
Paradoxically I bought a new Hermès belt recently and it's because I just couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else. it's plain looking and fully adjustable. But I felt the SA was trying to become close friends and to help me on a 'journey' to get a Birkin...but here's the thing I don't want or need a Birkin. I almost got sucked into it, but I'm not interested in this at all. The idea of belonging to a club doesn't appeal and nor does a friendship based on transactions. It feels false. I do however not mind the Jypsiere bag but not worth the vast expense to do all the unwanted shopping I mean WTF? I discovered it was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and this makes sense. You can get Hermès at auction but honestly...do I need it? NO>
@@deborahcurtis1385 the Jypsiere is a great bag, I had one and sold it. I kinda regret it. The good thing is they’re available 2nd hand. The Hermes journey is a weird thing because my 1st bag I didn’t have to play, I just walked in and because I “hit it off w my SA I was offered one” I agree though it’s very transactional. I’m really into smaller brands right now.
I’m a designer vintage dealer and I NEVER would buy a bag younger than 2006, ideally - 2003. Older bags are subjectively much better quality and were produced in much smaller amounts and in way better and more ethical conditions. I feel sorry for all the people who feel the need to buy a new Dior saddle bag versus a vintage one, even when the price is the same. It’s just a sheep mentality, really. New bags are not worth that money. Needless to say, that if you buy a vintage model, you are more likely supporting a small business rather than a huge, human-exploitative conglomerate like LVMH or Kering…
Thank you for sharing Thor - without inferring any criticism, I reckon the notion that "Made in China" is synonymous with cheap labour and poor quality is dated and no longer true. Labour has become very expensive in Southeast Asia and nowadays the focus of Chinese manufacturing is on quality garment production and technical/specialized assembly like computer chips and car batteries (correct me if I'm wrong, but a majority of Coach leather goods are made in China). Fast Fashion brands have mostly shifted manufacturing contracts to countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, among others.
Totally! It’s really outdated and frankly racist to assume because an item is made in China it is of lesser quality than that of Italy. When this expose proved that they are in effect made by the same hands. Interesting point tho when I worked at Nordstrom a lot of Chinese costumers would not want to buy an item if it was made in China, they only wanted made in Europe 🤷
Thank you for the thoughtful video Thor and for opening up a discussion. I have read How Luxury Lost Its Luster. I was took a three day trip to Vegas recently and I have been wanting to get a Tiffany card holder in the Tiffany blue ever since I saw a RUclipsr unbox it last year. I also wanted to get something a small lux item to remember my Vegas trip. I definitely couldn’t afford a bag or a piece of jewelry and but I wanted to splurge on something small. But when I was there, I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it. I didn’t even go into Tiffany. Something was holding me back. I just wasn’t feeling 100% on it. I would have to skimp on meals on my trip if I bought that card holder. So instead I ate some nice meals in Vegas and I have zero regrets about it. The food was delicious and I don’t regret not buying the card holder at all. I am pretty disillusioned with luxury at this point but that is just me. I think people will continue to buy luxury in spite of the allegations. There is probably a small minority who will stop buying because of the controversy but the majority will continue to buy.
Thank you for your comment, I totally get it! I feel like I had the same vision for my Vegas trip of wanting to shop at Chrome Hearts but each time I went in, I was just so turned off by the pricing for the item that I walked out empty handed but I don’t regret it! It’s really at the point where the cost vs the experience are totally out of wack!
I really like the comic vert colour of Hermès leathergoods and wanted a card holder in that colour. But it's a ridiculous exercise buying from Hermès, and then I discovered one from an English brand, same colour. 90% cheaper so I got it! The brand is Aspinal of London. I also got a passport holder in a different colour that I love, an ice blue... very inexpensive!
I worked for six years for a house in the group LVMH and some years later when visiting a factory near Shanghai I took a wrong turn in looking for the bathroom and opened a storage room full of DIOR bags ! It was a high end bag factory but Dior had always denied manufacturing in China.
omg the insider TEA!
That was a thorough search thanks
Thank you for watching!
A canvas bag is a canvas bag … it’s not made of unicorn spittle 😅
lol
Seriously hahaha
Yep and that's why I generally buy preloved. The canvas is however very lightweight and resilient which is what I like. No point schlepping a massive heavy bag around if it's that way before you put anything into it. I have a great Boston style bag from Etro, an Italian brand it's truly fabulous with a woven paisley design embedded into the...plastic PVC!! LOL people admire it so much but it cost me about AUD $50. Love that bag it was practically in pristine condition and I'm using a cross body strap with it. Canvas was originally used on luggage and it's perfect for a workhorse bag.
Working with a Parisien label we had our knitwear made in Hungary and then I learnt that the factory was outsourcing the knitting to Roumania, the poorer country by far, and then assembling the pieces in Hungary. That's how it works. For years Levis Strauss had their denim made in Mexico and just added the waistbands in the US and added the 'made in USA' label !
Wow so it's all a scam!
I recently bought a Birkin for 120 dollars, really well made and sturdy and who would know ! Good enough for me when I travel. I would NEVER pay thousands for a bag so they are not losing out on a sale !
Omg seriously haha love it
I forgot to add that the decline in customer service, price increases, and quality issues have led to some moving on from luxury. The long lines is a turnoff for me......I feel like people can't just go in and browse like before the pandemic. The transactional nature of selling luxury if one is not a VIP doesn't motivate me to save for a lux item. The reason why many people admire lux items including myself is the designs are so beautiful. On a side note, I have become a huge fan of Lululemon. Their products and customer service is exceptional. I recently bought their famous belt bag that everyone has been wearing and I must say I am just obsessed. The quality and the functionality is amazing and it is perfect for every day and for travel. I want it in more colors.
Totally!!!! Omg I love lululemon, I’m biased as I’m an employee, but the quality and product is great for a fraction of a fraction of the price!
@@anthorpology The quality is amazing. I have been using my belt bag daily and it looks brand new. I have examined it closely for any flaws or wear and tear and there is none. I love their tees too. I am lululemon obsessed.
@@anthorpology I will have to check it out now...this will save me serious $ if I can find one...the Hermès ones are one human kidney's worth.
It makes me irritated and upset, obviously - those Savoir Faire videos are ridiculous and a farce. The fact that Dior still has them on their website makes me upset. They should have released an immediate response with some sort of actual apology.
Omg seriously! Where is their PR team???
55 years ago I grew up in Beverly Hills - the "name" bags were always way overpriced for what they were/are. "You" have always been paying for expensive shops in very expensive places, huge adversiting campaigns, couture shows (I have heard couture loses money - they make all the money on accessories) and scarcity - oh yes you are also paying for the fantasy that you are rich (and yes, you thought you were paying for quality and good design, but even I at age 11 knew the markup had to be outrageaous). PS Louis Vuitton has ALWAYS been varnished canvas with a bit of leather trim. Even if the workers were getting paid $200 to make a bag, you are still paying a markup of 1000%. PS - no one I knew had a "designer" bag, I assume because they were known as a rip-off.
Honestly yeah the thin veneer is starting to peel away
Absolutely. It's the cachet of exclusivity and being in some kind of 'club' that has been a lot of the attraction. I've bought very few things new.
Mr Thor - is it pronounced "TOR" or "THOR"? PS I LOVE!!!! your videos
Tor! Thank you 🩵
The scandal has demystified the luxury industry. People aren't falling for the allure anymore. They want practicality and great design and do NOT want to be advertising themselves as fashion VICTIMS to so overpay for the bags. Plus the scandal of exploitation, it makes you into a fashion victim twice! For being part of the exploitation. I've always been cynical and happy to see these developments sink into the mainstream.
Totally agree! People don't want to be a part of the bigger problem so I think a lot of people are distancing themselves from the brand(s)
Also I really disliked the book tote it's talked about as if it's 'embroidery' and so special but I tried to tell people it's just machined. Now I see it on your video it's confirmation. We pay for their marketing costs. That's 80-90% of it.
Literally all marketing!
@@anthorpology In about 1998 I was on a fashion chat room in NYTimes it was very informative because a wide variety of fashion insiders were there...and one said you should never pay more than about USD$500 for a bag. Adjusted for inflation and still I see Coach is reasonably priced and too many of the big name others are wildly and cynically riding a wave of consumer delusion, but the wave is crashing. Great commentary.
I burst out laughing when you said that the workers were paid fairly for their time, for their artisanal creation!! Seriously, that has never been the case.
I was being facetious 😂
Actually it was more the case in the pre mid 1970s. That was a golden period.
Chanel has already been called out about a year ago...Super Dacob did a video on it.
Totally, they’re all slowing crumbling
I gradually stopped believing in the luxury dream since Balmain made those high priced ripped t-shirts and when Raf Simons/ Jil Sander sold basic python printed cotton t-shirts for 500 bucks many years ago (maybe 10 years or more). I think the writing was already on the wall for me back then. I currently don't believe there's any way for a designer brand to sustainably run a global business model and yet produce true artisanal pieces. I heard the Tom Ford store in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore has a monthly rent of 5 figures. Imagine how many profit they need to make from perfume/ sunnies to pay for that plus the employee salaries. Tom Ford is relatively small compared to Dior. It doesn't math up to me.
Yeah totally, Prada selling white cotton tshirts for $1000 just because it has a brass and enamel logo on it has really disillusioned me. It’s all just clutter and stuff at this rate, cute designs but not worth it at all
I love how fool all the "influencers/ content creators" are jumping ship. Even though they have been promoting products from obscured origin. Don't worry you will have content for years to come
It’s true hahaha but you can’t help what you don’t know but you can help when you do know!
I feel like it’s just the tip of the iceberg. Having worked in luxury for years there’s always been rumors of this and many times it’s true but the sweep it under the rug. I’m rather bored of luxury. I haven’t even been into my Hermes pieces lately. What I have been in to is less known brands and contemporary brands.
Totally! Luxury really isn’t giving what it used to, it’s all kind blah for way too much
Paradoxically I bought a new Hermès belt recently and it's because I just couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else. it's plain looking and fully adjustable. But I felt the SA was trying to become close friends and to help me on a 'journey' to get a Birkin...but here's the thing I don't want or need a Birkin. I almost got sucked into it, but I'm not interested in this at all. The idea of belonging to a club doesn't appeal and nor does a friendship based on transactions. It feels false. I do however not mind the Jypsiere bag but not worth the vast expense to do all the unwanted shopping I mean WTF? I discovered it was designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and this makes sense. You can get Hermès at auction but honestly...do I need it? NO>
@@deborahcurtis1385 the Jypsiere is a great bag, I had one and sold it. I kinda regret it. The good thing is they’re available 2nd hand. The Hermes journey is a weird thing because my 1st bag I didn’t have to play, I just walked in and because I “hit it off w my SA I was offered one” I agree though it’s very transactional. I’m really into smaller brands right now.
I’m a designer vintage dealer and I NEVER would buy a bag younger than 2006, ideally - 2003. Older bags are subjectively much better quality and were produced in much smaller amounts and in way better and more ethical conditions. I feel sorry for all the people who feel the need to buy a new Dior saddle bag versus a vintage one, even when the price is the same. It’s just a sheep mentality, really. New bags are not worth that money. Needless to say, that if you buy a vintage model, you are more likely supporting a small business rather than a huge, human-exploitative conglomerate like LVMH or Kering…
Totally! They really don’t make them like they used to, and the new ones are just cheap tchotchkes!
habibi!
!!