Hermes made in China?

[Liberté]

In recent days, I’ve come across several social media posts claiming that many luxury leather goods, including those from Hermès, are primarily manufactured in China. Has anyone else heard about this? What are your thoughts? I’m skeptical, but at the same time, I’ve always wondered how some replicas manage to be so well-made.

I have 3 thoughts:

1) The current push on social media is 100% a marketing ploy to sell dupes and others items, it has nothing to do with a shift in production, new revelations or some effort to actually inform consumers.

2) I'm certain that Chinese production is a part of Hermès' supply chain on some level in several areas, whether its sourcing raw materials such a chemicals to tan leather or cachemire or metal plating or whatever. Just like Australia, India, Switzerland, the UK, Madagascar, the Czech republic, Japan, Egypt and several more countries host (or used to host) production that is involved in the Hermès supply chain necessary to make the finished products. This is completely unrelated to the claims or implications by those social media accounts, because they are not looking to inform consumers.

3) EU has the most strict transparency reporting requirements in the world on sustainability which includes the supply chain where working conditions is one factor. This matters, because it means that there is a lot more verifiable information that you can get if you choose to look it up yourself (such as the annual reports)or follow luxury industry news and don't get your news from TikTok and similar sources.

That is why we have had so many news pieces on this very topic already, such as the Dior 56 dollar bag production news, child labor in jasmin production in Egypt, migrant worker scandal in Italy, not to mention Rana plaza years ago and many many more. By using these very sources, you will find out that Hermès employs thousands of people in production in France directly and through contractors, including training ventures involving the government which implies even more scrutiny. Not everything is made in French factories of course, but as @papertiger mentioned, it would be extremely expensive theater including the French government if all these people did were basically putting a hotstamp on the bags. And that would also be on social media already or in the news.

I actually do have a single Hermès item that is labelled "made in China". It's a cosmetics pouch that was a part of an eau d'orange vert travel set with the cologne, soap and I believe a shower gel, it's more than 10 years old now. I'm sure there are other items. I don't think they are so afraid of this label. Prada sold made in vietnam shoes like 15 years ago (and they were of terrible quality, just like the made in Italy prada shoes at the time).

 

[papertiger]

I have 3 thoughts:

1) The current push on social media is 100% a marketing ploy to sell dupes and others items, it has nothing to do with a shift in production, new revelations or some effort to actually inform consumers.

2) I'm certain that Chinese production is a part of Hermès' supply chain on some level in several areas, whether its sourcing raw materials such a chemicals to tan leather or cachemire or metal plating or whatever. Just like Australia, India, Switzerland, the UK, Madagascar, the Czech republic, Japan, Egypt and several more countries host (or used to host) production that is involved in the Hermès supply chain necessary to make the finished products. This is completely unrelated to the claims or implications by those social media accounts, because they are not looking to inform consumers.

3) EU has the most strict transparency reporting requirements in the world on sustainability which includes the supply chain where working conditions is one factor. This matters, because it means that there is a lot more verifiable information that you can get if you choose to look it up yourself (such as the annual reports)or follow luxury industry news and don't get your news from TikTok and similar sources.

That is why we have had so many news pieces on this very topic already, such as the Dior 56 dollar bag production news, child labor in jasmin production in Egypt, migrant worker scandal in Italy, not to mention Rana plaza years ago and many many more. By using these very sources, you will find out that Hermès employs thousands of people in production in France directly and through contractors, including training ventures involving the government which implies even more scrutiny. Not everything is made in French factories of course, but as @papertiger mentioned, it would be extremely expensive theater including the French government if all these people did were basically putting a hotstamp on the bags. And that would also be on social media already or in the news.

I actually do have a single Hermès item that is labelled "made in China". It's a cosmetics pouch that was a part of an eau d'orange vert travel set with the cologne, soap and I believe a shower gel, it's more than 10 years old now. I'm sure there are other items. I don't think they are so afraid of this label. Prada sold made in vietnam shoes like 15 years ago (and they were of terrible quality, just like the made in Italy prada shoes at the time).

I agree, I don't think H would have any problem putting made in China if something was made in China. I have an H 'made in Vietnam' hair Beretta, I have an H 'made in Austria' enamel bangle, there was an H made in India scarf which I decided against (because of the high maintenance, not because of where it was made).

 

[papertiger]

I just got a 'request' on my Insta offering me 'real' Hermes made in China at 'special price'

 

[minnie04]

I went to china and part south east asia and almost shocked on how good H bag is ( no , not just H , all brands actually ) , some are apple to apple to the authentic . Of course selling those are illegal but the volume of counterfeits, nobody can stop the production TBH. It’s mainly from southern part China. And I own several real H bags and i been buying only real Chanel Dior for long2 time. For the very good ones, they are stamped made in France , for the ones $1500 usd and above , not made in China. the ones viral from TikTok , with selling price $40 usd above , that’s actually the worst quality replicas. The best quality replicas cost over $1k . There are price list for qualities , you can pick as low as 50 dollars and as high as 2k . Crazy world out there, I’m speechless …. ( anyways , I am Just sharing what I saw in real life) . 😊😊

 

[880]

Seriously, the purpose of all this rumor is click bait to legitimize or make more main stream acceptable replica goods… If they can persuade the public that H bags are made in China, then they narrow the gap between real and fake

 

[papertiger]

I went to china and part south east asia and almost shocked on how good H bag is ( no , not just H , all brands actually ) , some are apple to apple to the authentic . Of course selling those are illegal but the volume of counterfeits, nobody can stop the production TBH. It’s mainly from southern part China. And I own several real H bags and i been buying only real Chanel Dior for long2 time. For the very good ones, they are stamped made in France , for the ones $1500 usd and above , not made in China. the ones viral from TikTok , with selling price $40 usd above , that’s actually the worst quality replicas. The best quality replicas cost over $1k . There are price list for qualities , you can pick as low as 50 dollars and as high as 2k . Crazy world out there, I’m speechless …. ( anyways , I am Just sharing what I saw in real life) . 😊😊

An 'H bag' is NOT an 'H bag' unless it's made by Hermes.

 

[papertiger]

Seriously, the purpose of all this rumor is click bait to legitimize or make more main stream acceptable replica goods… If they can persuade the public that H bags are made in China, then they narrow the gap between real and fake

All I can say is, China is good at manufacturing algorithms, never mind anything else.

 

[r luvs h]

I find those claiming that China is producing 1:1 'H bags' to be A) unqualified to authenticate Hermès bags, B) not owners of authentic Hermès bags, C) utterly disingenuous, or D) a combination of two or more of these factors.

Granted, the layperson (or perhaps even the seasoned Hermès client) may struggle to distinguish between a China-made vs. authentic Hermès item, but there are always telltales. Full stop.

Propaganda has become the new “journalism”— a dangerous reality.

 

[Pivoine66]

Seriously, the purpose of all this rumor is click bait to legitimize or make more main stream acceptable replica goods… If they can persuade the public that H bags are made in China, then they narrow the gap between real and fake

An 'H bag' is NOT an 'H bag' unless it's made by Hermes.

I find those claiming that China is producing 1:1 'H bags' to be A) unqualified to authenticate Hermès bags, B) not owners of authentic Hermès bags, C) utterly disingenuous, or D) a combination of two or more of these factors.

Granted, the layperson (or perhaps even the seasoned Hermès client) may struggle to distinguish between a China-made vs. authentic Hermès item, but there are always telltales. Full stop.

Propaganda has become the new “journalism”— a dangerous reality.

A heartfelt: Thank you!
IMO: dangerous and scary (manipulation and spreading of fake news instead of fact(checking) and science...)

 

[cerulean blue]

Came here to see if this topic was posted here because it's being taken as true almost every social platform I came across.

Regardless, I can only speak on the mainstream luxury brands including Hermes. No they don't secretly manufacture in China. If those brands did, they're quite transparent. Gucci with their dust bags, packaging, and some collabs with TNF, Chanel with their packaging, Balenciaga with their sneakers. I've seen Prada and Burberry with some of their outlet stuff, but I see they have been silently moving away from manufacturing in China. And all Beauty GWP.

What they do though is they source raw materials and components from various parts of the world, which can include China, like silk, and assemble in their respective country of manufacture. So that cashmere could've came from Northern China, but was knitted in Italy. Mother of Pearl could've come from SE Asia, and etc. What I can attest to is a LOT of other luxury brands have a history of subcontracting their manufacturing outside their factories to certain regions of Italy, like Prato.

So much shady things that have been busted in the Fashion industry regarding manufacturing, how hasn't this been one of them already if this is the case? Press would froth at the mouth for this to happen. SO many legitimately unethical things occurring in the industry and people choose to run with a blatant lie.

It is unfortunate is how many people believe this lie, but like papertiger said it's because "luxury non-consumers always think they know better than actual people who actually buy". A lot of misinformation/disinformation and sensationalism is present online is there to validate our biases.

 

[umamanikam]

Are luxury bags actually Made in China? Viral videos claims explained

A viral TikTok claiming bags are made in China has amassed millions of views online.

www.newsweek.com

 

[Hankypanda]

In recent days, I’ve come across several social media posts claiming that many luxury leather goods, including those from Hermès, are primarily manufactured in China. Has anyone else heard about this? What are your thoughts? I’m skeptical, but at the same time, I’ve always wondered how some replicas manage to be so well-made.

I remember being told decades ago that "made in France" was a misleading designation regarding other luxury brands and products. The idea that the label is put on later has been around. It's usually said by those who pick and choose which name brands to support, and they aren't truth-busting in a meaningful way, so I have a hard time paying attention to it and taking it seriously. I sort of wish there was such thing as negative publicity for Hermes, because I feel like every time there is social media attention on them, no matter how negative, it gets even harder to acquire even basic items from them. jk

 

[LeahLVoes]

I mentioned the uptick of these posts to a friend who works at Meta and he confirmed with one of their internal teams that there has been some kind of propaganda brigade happening over the weekend. I'm not putting much stock in these posts TBH.

Meta? The company that cuts fact checking? We as consumers have to be very careful where we get our information and not only with regard to purses but with regard to everything. It's sad that it's a known fact, yet companies like Meta that could help stop spreading misinformation acknowledge yet don't do anything about it.

 

[Grand Maven]

Can You Really Buy a Birkin Direct From a Chinese Factory?

In a recent wave of viral TikToks, Chinese manufacturers claimed consumers could sidestep *****’s tariffs by buying luxury goods directly from them at a fraction of the price. Experts say it’s not that simple.

www.gq.com

 

[horselove]

I personally found this quite entertaining… in the sense of how a random stupid social media post can become viral based on opinions of the masses and what they want to believe. Sadly, it also means that most people do not use their brains to think anymore and lazily accept information at face value