LV made in India?

[Sycomore]

made in france, spain, USA, germany, italy whatever is the same thing IMO.
I just can't understand why some costumers preffer made in france it is a bit ridiculous to be honest, I mean have you actually BEEN in person in the factory in France how can u be sure it looks so much different of what it would look in india or china or congo or wherever???
I am sure they have the money and I hope they have also the ethics to put a proper and good factory anywhere in the world...

 

[bubbleliciousis]

i think it's an image problem for LV to produce their items in india. people generally do that equate high end luxury to production in india and china.

I know i would specifically ask for a bag made in France or even the US. I refuse to pay that much for a bag only to have it made in india. if they want me to buy a bag that's made in india, reverse the last few price increases!!

i'm not amused and not cool about this....

 

[aluminum_siren]

^

They can make stories as much they want, true or not.. The point is that I*m buying a french design article and i want it to be made in france. It's not the same thing. IF they had an "Indian mystery"-collection, then sure.. Or made something from elepahnt hide. But not monogram. I'd even return it if it was made in the US.

I think some of us feel this way. I personally do, but not strongly - my Epi wallet is made in Spain and most of my Glace line is made in Spain. I prefer my LV pieces to be made in France if possible. I did stop purchasing Prada pieces unless it was drastically reduced (sample sales or 75% off sales) when they started making their clothing in Romania.

However, my mother and her sisters ADORE LV. I know for a fact they spend tens of thousands there every year, and I also KNOW if they heard about Vuitton manufacturing their pieces in India they will drastically reduce or seize their patronage at Louis Vuitton.

If it is from a French fashion house, I think most people will mainly want their products made in France. It is NEVER about the quality. I am sure the folks in India are very hardworking. In fact, I've personally noticed the quality of the products made in China are increasing and I have had no problems with them, as long as I pay less for it. But that ISN'T the point for most people purchasing these products.

When it comes down to it, the luxury goods business is completely based on a combination of a fantasy, image/lifestyle, and snobbery. It sells dreams to people. Dreams that are unattainable. That's why they hire impossibly tall and good looking models and celebs to be their spokepersons coupled with impossible prices.

Especially a brand like Louis Vuitton - you can spot it's signature monogram miles away and to a lot of girls who can't afford a Vuitton bag but still pay a month's salary to buy a bag, why? Because of the quality and durability? Give me a break.

 

[shoe gal]

I just can't agree with all of this. I was just in India for a few weeks and came back this past weekend - the outsourcing jobs and call centers that are now so prevalent in India have destroyed aspects of culture and life there. Yes, according to Indian wages, these young people employed by the Dell call center may be paid somewhat fairly - but they are exploited in the sense that if they lived in any other country, they may be paid more. significantly more. And its not just due to cost of living - its due to the state of the economy and the development of the country. In a country where there are few other opportunities, businesses using outsourcing can pay less than they may need to if there were ample job opportunities available.

I dont want to make this too long, but I have issues with outsourcing in general, and I believe that LV starting a plant in India will cause similar problems in the country. Like a lot of people here, my main issue is that LV is doing this to save money, but will likely not be passing on the savings to us.

Just my two cents!

I'm going to just throw this out there because I was born in India and lived there when I was young. It's been my experience that Indian workers are far more hardworking than the French. I don't think quality will go down in any way.

I am concerned about price point though and would be very concerned about what kind of wage they pay. This could be a wonderful living wage for a lot of people in India, to feed their families, etc. The people in India, by and large, are very well educated (indeed, their schools are better than the schools in North Carolina in terms of math, science, humanities, history). It's immportant to remember that while the wage may seem very low to us, the cost of living is far lower as well. If they pay a decent living wage, please realize this could save lives, families, provide schooling for children, etc.

Indian people have a VERY strong work ethic when they are able to get jobs (my father was a surgical missionary there). I would venture to say their work ethic is far stronger than the typical work ethic for the French. Please don't judge an entire country.

I do realize that the price increases have been terrible lately for LV; perhaps this might help with the 3 increases in a year thing . . . perhaps not. We wouldn't love LV as much if the luxury wasn't associated with it (if we're honest).

Don't necessarily assume though that there is an automatic exploitation of workers. What you may have is families and lives changed and made better by having a job that can support your family, send your children to school, etc.

As far as exploitation too, most LV SAs that I know have second jobs due to the fact that the wages they are paid are not a living wage. The one I knew in Charlotte prior to my SA now had to quit because her salary could be higher working as a legal assistant.

The poverty in India is terrible. The thought of people having money to care for their families, get health care, schooling, etc., (for someone who has lived there and seen the poverty first hand) might be a really wonderful thing for some of these people.

I know the outsourcing for cell phones has changed the lives of Indian woman tremendously for the better. They have more say in their lives, more power, less need to marry young for money. While we tend to look at this as a sweatshop type thing, most LV factories are clean, bright and well-maintained. The cell phone companies in India have really nice working conditions for their employees (by and large) and it is a godsend to them. India and China, while both being in Asia, per se, are VERY different countries.

 

[Danica]

made in france, spain, USA, germany, italy whatever is the same thing IMO.
I just can't understand why some costumers preffer made in france it is a bit ridiculous to be honest, I mean have you actually BEEN in person in the factory in France how can u be sure it looks so much different of what it would look in india or china or congo or wherever???
I am sure they have the money and I hope they have also the ethics to put a proper and good factory anywhere in the world...

I agree. Actually I'd be pretty stoked if my bag came from the Congo! Much more "exclusive" than a french bag. I'll never understand the exclusivity arguement...if quality is the same, and price is the same, then what is the difference where it is made? it's the exact same thing.

I would just hope, to reiterate, that the factories and wages were ethically sound.

I read an article in National Geographic awhile back about "The Untouchables" I think Medhavini mentioned...very sad.

 

[Danica]

If it is from a French fashion house, I think most people will mainly want their products made in France. It is NEVER about the quality. I am sure the folks in India are very hardworking. In fact, I've personally noticed the quality of the products made in China are increasing and I have had no problems with them, as long as I pay less for it. But that ISN'T the point for most people purchasing these products.

When it comes down to it, the luxury goods business is completely based on a combination of a fantasy, image/lifestyle, and snobbery. It sells dreams to people. Dreams that are unattainable. That's why they entire impossibly tall and good looking models and celebs to be their spokepersons coupled with impossible prices.

Especially a brand like Louis Vuitton - you can spot it's signature monogram miles away and to a lot of girls who can't afford a Vuitton bag but still pay a month's salary to buy a bag, why? Because of the quality and durability? Give me a break.

Good point.

 

[daisygamgee]

This is a disappointment. Some how I cannot see the lower wage workers in India taking the same pride or having the same craftsmanship experise within their jobs so the quality may suffer. When Coach outsourced to China, the quality went to **** in a handbasket, esp. with the stitching and seams. Not cool!!!!!!!

I stopped buying Coach--which I had *adored* for years--because of this. The first "Made in China" Coach item I purchased was the last Coach item I purchased, and have since sold it off.

 

[Liberté]

I think some of us feel this way. I personally do, but not strongly - my Epi wallet is made in Spain and most of my Glace line is made in Spain. I prefer my LV pieces to be made in France if possible. I did stop purchasing Prada pieces unless it was drastically reduced (sample sales or 75% off sales) when they started making their clothing in Romania.

I was actually wondering about that, because I know someone who got Prada shoes that were made in VIETNAM!?!? I LOVE Prada, but I want my Prada to be made in Italy. If not I might as well get something else.

 

[Poufiasse]

^^ Okay, this was one of the reasons why I stopped buying Coach for family members as gifts, b/c I didn't like the whole "American" company, but "Made in China" factor.

However, I honestly think that there are those in this forum who do not know how 'well' paid workers in France are paid.

In France, it's VERY simple from Bernard Arnault's point of view. To reduce costs and increase production, he will ONLY pay you the SMIC (€8,27/hr = $10,79 USD) Now in France, everything is rising in price and the "Pouvoir d'achat", or "Buying Power" has been a VERY big problem. Basically, at the cost of things in France, a French worker is only making at or BELOW the US minimum wage.

So WHY do the French workers stay at the company? Because they do gimmicks like a 'week's training' in Paris to visit the factories as well as offerring them discounts for events and internal VAP sales.

So, while we discuss the prospect of LV fabricating items in India, consider for just a second that in France, those workers are basically low-class "ouvriers" who are only skilled at repetitive handcrafted work and they a group of highly talented 'artisans' or Artists. They are the equivalent of motor vehicle teamworkers and nothing more.

In the vidéo I saw on Bernard Arnault, he showed the factory outside of Cergy and when the interviewer asked the worker "Do you own an LV Bag?" she said "No". He asked her "Why not?". She answered "Because I can't afford it. I have two kids in school and I have to pay the bills. Gas is expensive and I can't afford luxury when I'm having problems paying the bills". Another interviewed person said that (paraphrase) "I just bought a Speedy. It was my first LV bag because it took a long time for me to save up the money for it. " The interviewer asked her "But don't you get a discount?" She said "Yes, but at my wage, it's still hard to just pay the bills. The bag could wait until now." She has been with the company for more than 10 years.

I'm not knocking LV, but I don't want people in the forum to have fantasy's about French workers making LV merchandise - they would be no differently paid or treated than Indian workers and I'm sure the craftsmanship would be the same. They would both be paid the BARE minimum wage and are basically rank-and-file workers.

 

[aluminum_siren]

^^ Okay, this was one of the reasons why I stopped buying Coach for family members as gifts, b/c I didn't like the whole "American" company, but "Made in China" factor.

However, I honestly think that there are those in this forum who do not know how 'well' paid workers in France are paid.

In France, it's VERY simple from Bernard Arnault's point of view. To reduce costs and increase production, he will ONLY pay you the SMIC (€8,27/hr = $10,79 USD) Now in France, everything is rising in price and the "Pouvoir d'achat", or "Buying Power" has been a VERY big problem. Basically, at the cost of things in France, a French worker is only making at or BELOW the US minimum wage.

So WHY do the French workers stay at the company? Because they do gimmicks like a 'week's training' in Paris to visit the factories as well as offerring them discounts for events and internal VAP sales.

So, while we discuss the prospect of LV fabricating items in India, consider for just a second that in France, those workers are basically low-class "ouvriers" who are only skilled at repetitive handcrafted work and they a group of highly talented 'artisans' or Artists. They are the equivalent of motor vehicle teamworkers and nothing more.

In the vidéo I saw on Bernard Arnault, he showed the factory outside of Cergy and when the interviewer asked the worker "Do you own an LV Bag?" she said "No". He asked her "Why not?". She answered "Because I can't afford it. I have two kids in school and I have to pay the bills. Gas is expensive and I can't afford luxury when I'm having problems paying the bills". Another interviewed person said that (paraphrase) "I just bought a Speedy. It was my first LV bag because it took a long time for me to save up the money for it. " The interviewer asked her "But don't you get a discount?" She said "Yes, but at my wage, it's still hard to just pay the bills. The bag could wait until now." She has been with the company for more than 10 years.

I'm not knocking LV, but I don't want people in the forum to have fantasy's about French workers making LV merchandise - they would be no differently paid or treated than Indian workers and I'm sure the craftsmanship would be the same. They would both be paid the BARE minimum wage and are basically rank-and-file workers.

I completely agree.

I just hope none of us here are buying Louis Vuitton for moral reasons concerning fair wages.

 

[Poufiasse]

^
^
sorry, correction to my previous post - The French laborers or "Ouvriers" ARE NOT artisans or highly talented Artists. They are the equivalent of motor vehicle teamworkers and nothing more.

 

[Veronika]

I think I will. Sorry, I feel conflicted, cause I believe workers in developing countries should have good jobs and abilities to make good wages. But, I thought the reason why LV cost so much was cause it was made in France and paying European living wages... I guess if workers in India made as much as workers in France... but, they won't. And, I did not think LV could keep up with the demand with just its European factories... I might not be investing so much in LV from now on... I didn't realize gucci and prada were in Vietnam, but the Vietnames are INCREDIBLE tailors and clothiers... I buy whatever I can find that is made in Vietname, excellent craftspeople!

 

[Sina]

If people have reservations getting a LV bag made in the USA, I don't think anyone will want one made in India. This is a bad move by LV.

 

[GiMMe MoRe BaGs]

Also it's really like these people are trained in their jobs. If a worker isn't making a high quality bag...do you think they will be working there long? I mean it's not a matter of craftsmenship at all. Indian people are exteremly talented (as well as anyone else who is born with a skill or learns one from any country).

But that's shame on how much they are getting paid in France. Skilled artisans are really underpayed and overworked. I think that's for anywhere in the world.

 

[Veronika]

And, artists are exploited, remember the Murakami story... people are just plain ole greedy... it's a seven deadly vice....