Have you ever dreamed of owning a brand new Birkin bag? You’re not alone but recent videos from China may make you think twice about what you’re really paying for.
As U.S. tariffs put pressure on Chinese businesses, some manufacturers are fighting back by exposing the truth about luxury brands. On Chinese social media, factory workers and sellers are showing how many expensive bags labeled “Made in Italy” or “Made in the USA” are actually produced in China for a fraction of the price.
A Viral Video Exposes the Real Cost
One video that went viral on TikTok shows a Chinese bag maker explaining how much it really costs to make a $38,000 Hermès Birkin bag or at least one that looks exactly like it.
According to him, most of the high-end materials like leather, thread, and metal parts only cost about $1,450 in total. That includes:
- Leather: $450
- Thread: $25
- Hardware: $150
- Zippers and lining: $110
- Manpower and labor: $600
The rest? You’re mostly paying for the Hermès logo and brand name.
Hermès Responds with a Price Hike
In response to U.S. import tariffs, Hermès said it will raise prices in the U.S. starting May 1. The company says this will help cover the 10% tax increase on products brought in from China.
This topic got even hotter when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wore a lace dress to a press briefing. A Chinese diplomat claimed the lace came from a factory in Mabu, China.
He posted a picture and joked:
“Accusing China is business. Buying in China is life.”
“She bashes China but wears a Chinese-made dress?” one person posted.
Some defended her, saying it was a French original, not a Chinese copy.
