Content creators are calling luxury, designer handbags ‘worthless’ after Chinese manufacturers are alleging that they’re the real creators of the pricey designer styles.
Viral TikTok clips have falsely claimed that Chinese factories are true producers of some of the most iconic (and expensive) brand label purses.
After Vice President JD Vance described China’s economy as fueled by ‘peasants’ amid threats to escalate tariffs, Chinese content creators flocked to TikTok to claim they’re the makers of luxury bags.
One content creator said he helped make Hermès bags, including the Birkin and Kelly, as others claimed to be the manufacturers behind high-end European brands.
The TikTok account senbags2 shared an AI video claiming that 80 percent of luxury bags are made in China, which quickly received more than 10 million views before it was deleted and reposted on a new account.
The user also claimed that China was behind the ‘real OEM factory.’ An OEM factory, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, produces parts of products used by another company which are then sold under the other company’s name brand.
Many of the most popular luxury accessories brands are owned by conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, which are headquartered in Paris.
While young women on TikTok were overjoyed to believe they could buy thousand dollar bags for a fraction of the price, it seems unlikely that the bags are the real thing and instead, could simply be a ‘superfake.’
A superfake handbag is a convincing dupe that usually sells for hundreds of dollars instead of thousands because it looks so similar to a designer item. Superfakes are so convincing that it can take a detailed examination from an expert to spot them. Logos are carefully copied, similar materials are used and they may also come with similar luxurious linings, date stamps and even serial numbers.
Despite the excitement from people who thought they could purchase a legitimate Hermès bag via WhatsApp instead of through a careful vetting process, it is unlikely that Chinese manufacturers are behind the $25,000 to $100,000 exclusive accessories.
Hermès bags are made in France, with workshops outside of Paris, as well as in Ardennes, Lyon and Normandy, and the pricey products take between 15 and 40 hours to create. Many of the artisans behind the hard-to-get bag train for up to five years before they can make one.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Hermes for comment.
Despite the fact that it’s unlikely many of these handbags are made in China, followers are now questioning the validity of the originals and wondering what makes them worth thousands of dollars.
Saron, who has 100,000 followers, shared a viral video asking, ‘Are luxury purses now worthless?’
‘This feels like a turning point for luxury brands — consumers are becoming more aware that pricing is really all about marketing,’ she mused in the caption.
‘Dupe culture was already running rampant,’ the creator said, adding that this could be the downfall as people realize their so-called luxury brands can be bought for a fraction of the cost even if it’s not the exact bag.
‘The whole made in Europe not China concept is lowkey xenophobic to be honest. Like the best French artisans aren’t any better than Chinese one,’ one commenter wrote.
‘These designer brands have increased prices while decreasing quality so I’m here for their downfall,’ another agreed.
‘Dupes are great because they are being created by the same people. The luxury industry is a scam,’ another commenter claimed.
On Reddit, shoppers are discussing the plethora of TikToks that have been posted and claim to be ‘exposing luxury brands.’
‘I have no doubt many are manufactured in China but I don’t believe that the DH Gate bags are the same as the designer ones like some are claiming,’ a Reddit user wrote, referencing the popular dupe site where many counterfeit options are sold via WhatsApp for much lower prices.
‘I am so happy about these TikToks because it’s making us to have real conversations about what we are buying and why?’ one person asked.
The summed it up: ‘Are we paying for quality, beautiful bags or we are caught up in the aspirational middle class web of spending to appear wealthy, whereas these bags are made at a fraction of the retail price?’
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