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Amid the ongoing US-China tariff dispute, a new controversy has erupted online as Chinese influencers have seemingly gone to war with the global luxury goods industry.
A wave of viral videos featuring Chinese factory workers and business owners claims that many internationally renowned luxury brands – including Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton – are actually manufactured in China, only to be sold abroad at significantly inflated prices.
The videos have gained millions of views, and in one clip, a man claims that 80% of luxury handbags are made in China, regardless of the country of origin printed on the label.
“For more than 30 years, we have been the OEM factory for most luxury brands – Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton,” he says in the video. “But I’m not proud of the fact that we were only earning wages, while the actual profit margins for those making the bags were very low. What I am proud of is our quality control, craftsmanship, and fully integrated supply chain.”
“Now that the US and its European allies are trying to distance themselves from Chinese goods, do you think luxury brands are moving production out of China? Yes, they tried—but they failed.”
China TikTok is so messy rn Because now that the Chinese government legalize Counterfeit products of all American goods because of the tariffs their now exposing a lot of Big brands and how their stuff is manufactured and encourages you to buy them in House China for cheaper pic.twitter.com/GLftzEnF3y
— Klair-O-Spinach ( Saint Era) (@ClairoSpinach) April 12, 2025
According to a 2023 Statista report, there are approximately 200 to 250 fashion and accessory brands worldwide that fall under the “luxury” label. Of these, around 70 to 100 are globally recognised as top-tier luxury fashion brands.
It may just be propaganda to scare US consumers, though, as most luxury brands typically produce their handbags in countries like France, Italy, and Spain. Some of the more recognisable brands are:
- Hermès – France (primarily in Paris and Pantin workshops)
- Chanel – France (mainly in Paris, with some production in Italy for specific lines)
- Louis Vuitton – France (workshops in Asnières and other regions, some production in Spain and Italy)
- Gucci – Italy (Tuscany, particularly in Florence and Scandicci)
- Prada – Italy (Tuscany and Milan regions)
- Dior – France (Paris ateliers, with some production in Italy)
- Balenciaga – Italy (Tuscany, with some production in Spain)
- Saint Laurent – France and Italy (Paris and Florence)
- Givenchy – France and Italy (Paris and Tuscany)
It’s highly improbable that these are real suppliers for brands like Prada and Chanel, multiple experts told CNN. Legitimate manufacturers usually sign non-disclosure agreements, so it’s unlikely that these creators are selling the real thing.
But the videos are highlighting not only the anxiety that the tariffs are causing consumers, but they also reveal how much shoppers rely on China. It also underscores that not everything you see on TikTok is true.
[Source: Hindustan Times & CNN]
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