A recent stir on TikTok revealed claims from Chinese manufacturers asserting that a significant portion of luxury designer handbags, including those by Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, are constructed in China. According to a now-deleted video by craftsperson Wang Sen, it is alleged that 80% of these luxury bags originate from Chinese factories before being sent to Europe for final touches and the “Made in Italy” label. He argues that many consumers associate manufacturing in China with a lack of quality, but he suggests this view overlooks the realities of modern global manufacturing.
Responding to the assertions, Bily Dimoski, a director at Australian fashion agency Deepwear, offers a more nuanced perspective. She acknowledges that while many components of luxury items are sourced from Asia, it oversimplifies the complex supply chain to claim that 80% of luxury bags are solely made in China. Dimoski estimates that around 60 to 70% of a luxury bag’s parts may come from Asian manufacturing, with the remaining assembly and detailed craftsmanship occurring in Europe.
Dimoski further explains that high-end brands often utilise a multi-country model for production, sourcing materials globally yet finalising the design, finishing, and assembly in Europe. For example, Japanese zippers might be used in bags that are ultimately stitched together in Italy, allowing brands to claim an Italian origin while only minimally completing the production process there.
The discussion also surfaces warnings about the prevalence of counterfeit luxury goods manufactured in China, with Dimoski cautioning consumers to critically evaluate claims made by online retailers. Both she and Kristy Sturgess, a clothing manufacturer in Melbourne, assert that many luxury brands, despite their glamorised image, do incorporate Chinese factories into their supply chains for their products.
Additionally, a viral TikTok video sparked outrage over the production costs of luxury items like the Birkin bag, which can retail for staggering amounts. The estimated production cost was suggested to be approximately USD 1,400, while retail prices soar into the tens of thousands.
Ultimately, while discussions around the manufacturing origins of luxury goods continue to evolve, one resonates: the “Made in” label might not tell the whole story, reflecting more about marketing techniques than the actual production process. The luxury brands mentioned have not commented publicly on these claims, leaving some questions about transparency in the luxury market untouched.