Hope I won't be offending anyone, as I am not defending the high prices and "seemingly" low quality of designer brands nor am I justifying for anything. BUT, over the years of studying retail merchandising and working in luxury retail, there are a few things I may be able to share...
The hardware comes from China, but I know for SURE the leather is brazilian leather, as it also states so inside the shoes. Approximately 75% of designer goods nowadays get their hardware from Asia (vietnam, china, indonesia, hong kong, etc) to try to cut down cost and try to give consumers the lowest price possible. I know that a lot of these designer goods out there really seem like a rip off when you try to imagine how much it REALLY cost the designers/company to make these products, but bear in mind that the price of each merchandise also includes the cost of advertising, brand management, marketing, PR, monthly operational expenses, etc for the brands. There is a reason why Louis Vuitton zip around wallets are around $650-$800 when they are being made in France. A Michael by Michael Kors or a Marc by Marc Jacob wallet which cost $98-$198 which is made in China may seem like a rip off because you can find other made in china wallets for less than $20, but you are in the end paying for the designer's name, the style itself, and all the costs that made that brand interest you. I have a Dior wallet in which the hardware came apart in less than 6 months, the leather is no doubt European, but the hardware is China, for sure. Same as the rhinestones on my Stella McCartney heels, and the casing on all Premium Designer cosmetics. It's just impossible to offer "the best of the best" quality at a low price nowadays, especially when many luxury retail companies are in debt or barely making their sales goals.
I recently purchased my first Chanel classic flap and paid over $2500 for it, which is the most I have ever spent on a bag. I love it for the fact that it is made in France, has a great durable caviar leather, beautiful hardware, etc. HOWEVER, I am not at the point in life where I can afford to pay thousands of dollars for every handbag I like. It's nice to be able to find some handbags around $500 that are designer and maybe they are made in China but I honestly don't have a problem with that as long as the style is still amazing and the leather isn't horrible. Just my friendly opinion