Is Birkin being devalued or adding value Cardi b

[Gabs007]

Just pointing out HACs are not quota bags. Of course celebrities get what they want and this is a totally crazy haul. But it’s not four quota bags, it’s one or two depending on your boutique.

Celebrities carrying a brand is free advertising for the brand, of course they can get them, ffs, they are courted by the brands and often get items for less or free.

Any red carpet event, think Oscars, all the designers have teams out there to court celebs, fittings are free, loan of the dresses if free, often with a massive goodie bag.

Seriously, anybody who blames a brand for doing this needs to put themselves into the shoes of the brand, an ad in any fashion magazine costs a fortune (then you add the costs of the shoot, model fees, all that), especially if it is several pages and will reach a limited number of people, a celeb carrying a bag or wearing a dress, free exposure everywhere, a lot cheaper than advertising. Anybody owning a brand would do the same.

 

[papertiger]

Celebrities carrying a brand is free advertising for the brand, of course they can get them, ffs, they are courted by the brands and often get items for less or free.

Any red carpet event, think Oscars, all the designers have teams out there to court celebs, fittings are free, loan of the dresses if free, often with a massive goodie bag.

Seriously, anybody who blames a brand for doing this needs to put themselves into the shoes of the brand, an ad in any fashion magazine costs a fortune (then you add the costs of the shoot, model fees, all that), especially if it is several pages and will reach a limited number of people, a celeb carrying a bag or wearing a dress, free exposure everywhere, a lot cheaper than advertising. Anybody owning a brand would do the same.

I don't think this is what @QuelleFromage meant. People were suspicious she could buy so many bags at once when there is strict quota system. QF was pointing out 2 are not considered quota bags.

On your point. H don't do that. They don't need to. The odd bottle of fragrance or a commemoration scarf if a client or influencer is at the right place at the right time and very lucky. That's it. C'est tout.

 

[Evia]

I don’t care what anyone else is carrying, it’s not going to push me one way or the other. And anyway, I’m too busy devaluing the brand myself with my scruffy working from home 2020 pandemic outfits

 

[Gabs007]

I don't think this is what @QuelleFromage meant. People were suspicious she could buy so many bags at once when there is strict quota system. QF was pointing out 2 are not considered quota bags.

On your point. H don't do that. They don't need to. The odd bottle of fragrance or a commemoration scarf if a client or influencer is at the right place at the right time and very lucky. That's it. C'est tout.

I was actually agreeing with QF, and yes Hermes does it, a lot. Celebs of a certain caliber (highly visible and fashion icons) do not have waiting lists or limits, and personally I see nothing wrong with it, it is a brand, it boosts their image (in the KK case I think not, but they apparently think so, it is their brand, their call), it is a good marketing choice and when it comes down to it, every designer also is a company who wants to make as much money as possible, if the brand is very much in demand, more money for them. There is a very small market for the top brands like Chanel and Hermes, and they have cornered that market with exclusivity. If a cheaper brand with lesser quality would do it, it would bomb.

 

[QuelleFromage]

I don't think this is what @QuelleFromage meant. People were suspicious she could buy so many bags at once when there is strict quota system. QF was pointing out 2 are not considered quota bags.

On your point. H don't do that. They don't need to. The odd bottle of fragrance or a commemoration scarf if a client or influencer is at the right place at the right time and very lucky. That's it. C'est tout.

Thanks @papertiger , that's exactly what I meant. People were all "She bought four Birkins in a day!" and she didn't.
Maybe the original post should just have been in Celebs and H.....nothing new to see here, just another famous person with a wall of Birkins.

 

[PurseUOut]

Yes, between Jeffree Star, Kim Kardashian and now Cardi B birkins are kind of ghetto now. They no longer appeal to me personally.

 

[coloradolvr]

Interesting thread and interesting comments. Personally I don't think anyone can "devalue" Hermes for me. She is free to buy whatever she wants as is anyone. Just as I am free not to listen to her disgusting (to me) music or watch any program that she is in. I feel the exact same about the Kardashians. There are just as many classy individuals who could be viewed as elevating the brand. But again, I only choose to purchase and carry what appeals to me.

 

[PurseUOut]

I am far, far from an expert on the matter, so I am not trying to call anyone out. I think my only qualm is the prejudice that comes along with “I wish only X or Y type of people were the only ones carrying Z” kind of statements. While I’m sure they are said with the best of intentions and wanting to maintain a desired brand image, it’s also also an image set by mostly white people that has historically (intentionally and unintentionally) excluded POC. It may not always be the case (ex. Victoria Beckham and other non POC mentioned above), but a majority of the time it is.

The Birkin (+ many other luxury items) has been a symbol for a very long time. If one was not born wealthy, it’s been a way of showing that she or he has “finally made it”. That person broke barriers and now gets to bask in the glory of a beautiful new B. I kinds think social media has created a world where stars are more flashy with flaunting lifestyle than they were 10-20 years ago, but I also think more POC stars like, Cardi B, can flaunt their Bs however they see fit.

While I can appreciate your insight and empathy, as a black woman I feel this has little to do with race and more with class and sophistication. If the backlash was from Lupita Nyongo vocalizing the Birkin and not Cardi B I could totally understand the race argument.

Does Hermes really want their flagship product to not only become more ubiquitous (via the proliferation of fakes) but associated with the most degenerate faction of society? Way more people outside of Cardi B's mindset and lifestyle buy Hermes brand.

 

[Four Tails]

My feelings about Hermes are entirely separated from my thoughts or opinions as they pertain to Cardi B. She can say anything she wants. Because the internet is a nuance-free vacuum, many people will feel strongly in one of two directions about what she said. Frankly, I feel nothing about her thoughts on anything.

In response to her video, I'll say that Cardi appears to be addressing the fact that she is misaligned with the image many people conjure of someone who owns authentic Hermes bags. She is definitely not a social anthropologist. All I heard were inarticulate observations about the intrinsic value of a woman (paraphrasing heavily) and something about "swagless hoes."

Any uptick in Hermes' social stock as a result of pop culture mentions will likely just increase the number of circulating fakes. For what it's worth, even super fakes are often priced beyond the reach of most people.

 

[showgratitude]

I am not sure. But it doesn't matter whether or not she is adding value to it. I love my purses and they are all special to me.....and they make me smile when I see them.

 

[SpecialK12]

Yes, between Jeffree Star, Kim Kardashian and now Cardi B birkins are kind of ghetto now. They no longer appeal to me personally.

I don't see how anybody carrying a bag, any bag, makes it "kind of ghetto". And I disagree with the characterization of anybody that way. I don't need to agree with their lifestyle and language choices but I find "kind of ghetto" as a descriptor offensive. Maybe it's just me....I hope not

 

[880]

And anyway, I’m too busy devaluing the brand myself with my scruffy working from home 2020 pandemic outfits

Spit out my tea laughing ! ITA

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

I prefer my nicer things to NOT be too mainstream in that it doesn’t catch too much attention. I’ve been in a few situations where it’s been uncomfortable.

For example, a Starbucks barista questioning me about my love bracelet and speaking to his coworker that he “saw it on X show and that it’s over $10k”...while I was standing right there. The general growing popularity and media attention means incorrect information gets tossed around too. A regular gold love is not over $10k.

And, I’ve been in situations where the numbers like $20k have been tossed around for a regular birkin (just based on crazy reseller prices, I guess). I didn’t feel comfortable carrying my bag when subjects like that are being discussed within earshot.

I think it just makes me feel unsafe? I like it when things aren’t so mainstream.

Hi!

If I may say so, I don't think it's because an item becomes "mainstream" (or not), but because neither the barista nor the other people had any manners. It's simply something you don't do.

And yes, sadly, you are right for feeling uncomfortable, it creates unnecessary and unwanted attention as one never knows who's behind in line.

I would have x'ed that Starbucks off my routine.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Love Of My Life]

I don't see how anybody carrying a bag, any bag, makes it "kind of ghetto". And I disagree with the characterization of anybody that way. I don't need to agree with their lifestyle and language choices but I find "kind of ghetto" as a descriptor offensive. Maybe it's just me....I hope not

Agree...Terrible & offensive terminology "kind of ghetto"..
Thought for many we moved on from expressions such as this..

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

Yes, between Jeffree Star, Kim Kardashian and now Cardi B birkins are kind of ghetto now. They no longer appeal to me personally.

A Birkin is a lifeless object. How people perceive the bag, or you wearing one, is not based on "art figures" that have/wear one as well or use it as a prop.

The three you mention, they are "art figures", they sell exactly that - and poke fun at the "offended" by taking an item like a Birkin (or countless other) and make it part of their public show/appearance & current culture. Of course it's valid to state that this puts one off the brand/item, although I personally think that it is the result of overthinking, or simply taking all of this way too serious.

It really doesn't affect how the bag worn by someone else is perceived, or the brand per se.

(Obviously except for the "cancelling culture" that can affect any brand at any time nowadays. But again that is only a momentarily focus, that is soon to be forgotten in the real world.)


Kind regards,
Oliver