Claims the majority of the world’s designer luxury goods are made in China, not Europe, by Chinese manufacturers has sent social media into a full on meltdown.
With growing fears around Trump tariffs and an ongoing trade war between the US and China, Chinese factory workers have pitched consumers an alluring proposal: Buy the luxury goods direct and save money by cutting out ‘the middleman’.
Handbag manufacturers from China sent TikTok into crisis by claiming massive brands like Hermès, Chanel, Lululemon, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Dior make their bags in China before shipping them to Europe to get “made in Italy” or “made in France” stamped on the tag.
Some suppliers have alleged the real cost to make a US$34,000 Birkin bag is about $US$1400, and are now offering to sell the same bag (minus the logo) for a tenth of the price. The hefty markup, they claim, is all about paying for the status symbol.
Sydney publicity maven and luxury goods collector Roxy Jacenko isn’t fazed.
Daily Mail Australia sat down with the multi-millionaire, and proud owner of more than 30 Hermès Birkin bags, to find out why she thinks paying for the real label will never go out of style.
Amid the online boom of ‘China Trade War Tok’, Daily Mail Australia sat down with multi-millionaire Roxy Jacenko, PR maven and the proud owner of more than 30 Hermès Birkin bags, to find out why she thinks paying for the real label will never go out of style
Chinese suppliers took over TikTok in recent weeks, flooding For You pages with viral videos claiming the real cost to make a US$34,000 Birkin bag is about $US$1400, and are now offering to sell the same bag for a tenth of the price. Pictured: Roxy’s wardrobe
‘I mean really, why would the Chinese be travelling to Paris to buy themselves a Chanel or Hermès bag if they could pop to their local market and pick one up,’ Roxy said when contacted.
‘I mean, REALLY?!’
Chinese suppliers have taken over TikTok in recent weeks, flooding For You pages with viral videos about where to source identical replicas of the iconic brands.
Many of the videos have been removed, but the message has struck a chord with cash-strapped designer fans.
In a now-removed video, bag craftsman Wang Sen claimed that 80 per cent of luxury bags are made in China.
Sen posted several other videos, showing the inside of factories where he claims the designer goods are made.
Roxy, 45, made a name for herself as a Sydney elite by founding publicity and marketing agency Sweaty Betty, so she certainly understands what it means to pay for the brand.
But is she worried some of the designer goods she’s collected could lose their value if the market is flooded with Chinese-made versions?
‘I mean really, why would the Chinese be travelling to Paris to buy themselves a Chanel or Hermès bag if they could pop to their local market and pick one up,’ Roxy said when contacted
Roxy, 45, made a name for herself as a Sydney elite by founding publicity and marketing agency Sweaty Betty, so she certainly understands what it means to pay for the brand
‘Certainly not,’ she said.
‘I mean, you can spot a fake from a mile away. The process of creating a genuine, luxury piece is extensive.
‘The materials are curated from all around the world. Colours and grains matched – that’s why they are priced the way they are. It’s also not simply about the products.
‘It is also about the experience – right through to the packaging and the personal relationship with the brand and your sales associate,’ Roxy said, noting she is still friends with the woman who sold her first Louis Vuitton.
The mum-of-two frequently flaunts her wealth online, sharing her children’s’ obscene Christmas wish lists, sports cars, jewellery, and clothing.
‘The purchase of a high priced luxury item is not just a walk-in-and-buy,’ Roxy continued.
‘Put simply, the products are not created en masse and readily available. You wait and hope you get the piece – it’s all part of the fun. I know when I get a call, the rush is real.’
‘The power of luxury brand is alive and well and no matter what dupes are out there, if you are a buyer of genuine, you aren’t considering them,’ the Ministry of Talent founder said.
‘All this proves is what an incredible job the luxury houses have done of creating a brand people desire.’
Roxy added she doesn’t believe the Chinese trade war on luxury goods will present much of a ‘challenge’ for designer sales.
‘The reality is – the customer travelling to Paris to shop at the Hermès St Honore store is certainly not the same person you will find surfing TikTok looking to pick up a luxury bag dupe,’ she said.
‘No matter what industry you are in, there will always be knock off – that’s just life.’
