Where is the LUXURY in luxury fashion? (A Deep Dive)

Why We’re Still Obsessed with Luxury Brands and Designer Goods | The Real Truth Behind the Hype
In this video, we dive deep into the world of luxury brands and our obsession with designer goods. Why are we so willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money on high-end fashion, even when it offers little functionality or value? We explore the idea that it’s not always about the craftsmanship, but more about the status, recognition, and validation these brands provide.
We’ll break down the infamous “Hermès game” that makes getting a Birkin or Kelly bag nearly impossible unless you’ve proven your loyalty by spending thousands. Plus, we’ll look at the experiences of celebs like Oprah and Bethenny Frankel, who were treated poorly at high-end stores-showing that even wealth can’t always shield you from discrimination.
From the history of old money built on exploitation to the growing replica market, which proves people want the look of luxury without the price tag, this video covers it all. We also touch on why brands like Burberry burn millions of dollars’ worth of merchandise every year, supposedly to “protect” their brand’s prestige.
We also dive into the Balenciaga scandal of 2022, where the brand’s holiday ad campaign featured children holding teddy bears in BDSM bondage harnesses and costumes. This sparked major backlash, raising questions about luxury brands’ tactics and the exploitation of shock value for profit. Why did Balenciaga think this was acceptable, and what does it say about the state of high fashion today?
If you’ve ever wondered why we chase after luxury, even when it doesn’t make sense financially, and why these brands have such a hold on us, this video is for you.
Key topics covered:
• The psychology behind luxury brands and status symbols
• The truth about luxury craftsmanship vs. brand image
• Why wealthy people sometimes buy replicas instead of the real thing
• How luxury brands burn unsold merchandise to maintain exclusivity
• The “Hermès game” and why buying a Birkin isn’t as simple as it seems
• Celebrities facing poor treatment at luxury stores
• The cultural divide between “old money” and “new money”
• The Balenciaga scandal: why the brand faced backlash for its 2022 ad campaign
• How luxury brands push the boundaries of what’s acceptable in fashion
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#LuxuryBrands #videoessay #socialcommentary #DesignerGoods #BalenciagaScandal #HermesGame #BirkinBag #ReplicaMarket #OldMoney #NewMoney #StatusSymbols #LuxuryObsession #FashionIndustry #HighEndFashion #Burberry #QuietLuxury #Balenciaga

[@GothCookie]

So... They treat their customers like shit, their products are crap, people are having more and more trouble paying for basic needs so arent buying unnecessary items... Im not surprised these brands are struggling.

[@skrittle555]

We really need to push for supply chain transparency and actual legislation that holds brands at EVERY level accountable for what's going on in their factories. Everyone from Shein to Dior is getting away with literal human rights violations and it's 2024 and we should be doing better. Great video!

[@Grandma_Jizzzzzzzard]

I grew up middle class, and when I became an adult, I made quite a bit of money. And then I got divorced and lost almost everything. I was poor for quite a while. And I met my new husband, and he has made a lot of money in his life. at this point, I have learned that no matter how much fancy stuff you buy, it won't fill the hole. It won't make you happy long-term. This is why I go to the Goodwill's and Salvation Army's near fancy neighborhoods in my area and I get all of this stuff for under $10. ❤❤

[@2stayweird]

$700 for costume jewelry is WILD. I have a 14k gold nameplate necklace that only cost $500.

[@alexanderzhukov3773]

It's insane that you're paying mostly for the ads when buying luxury goods

[@kaiserinhelga81]

AND then you become yourself the ad...😅

[@sansonaxy_4974]

I think one of the worst things to happen to the fashion industry (and I'm semi-generalizing here) is the value of profit over art. It's true what you said in the intro, that "luxury fashion" started off as custom creations for the few high-society, rich people who could buy them. That's what French couture was back then. But because fashion is not just art, but also practical, clothing has to be practical and that means the reality of producing garments is that it will ALWAYS be tied with capitalism. We can't untangle it from capitalism because realistically, the only way for a brand to have longevity is through commercial success and what this leads to is these giant groups buying these brands and consolidating them into one giant umbrella (ex: LVMH, Kering) and not understanding that the success of a fashion brand DOES still rely on the quality. They want numbers and they want them quick and that's just not how it works. If the price of "luxury goods" is going to be what it is going to be, every step of creation of the garment/accessory/product should reflect that price point as well. Did not know about the Hermes Game and that's just bonkers. That's on a different level of being rich just because of the amount of money you have to spend, but it is honestly kind of ingenious. Hermes has always been perceived as the luxury of luxury in handbags and the entire experience reflects that. About the sales associates though, I always wonder if it's intentional to treat people that way or if the employees somehow think they're above others?? Very strange. Balenciaga has lost the plot. It used to be about performance art that still managed to feel like practical clothing and about shock value of going against traditional fashion rules and mores. But the continued use of shock value for everything from campaigns to the runway has become not only stale, but almost annoying. Idk about their numbers but I honestly can't imagine that they've been doing well lately. Their consumer base isn't like other brands, so I have a hard time imagining who they sell to or think they're marketing to and who actually buys their products. Seems like the only way they keep relevancy and maybe their numbers up as well is by making sure people are talking about them, whether in good or bad light. I had never heard of Cucinelli and it makes me think of something ironic. Back then, when all the brands we know today like Chanel, Dior, LV, etc were starting off it really was about the passion to want to make money yes, but also to produce a luxury product that felt worth the price and that was NOT marketed to the layman, but to the rich and high society individuals. And now? There are outlets of all the big brands, you can walk into a department store and see these brands, you can walk into a mall and buy one, even in lower-middle class to middle class areas, it is normal to see an LV bag here, a Dior bag there, an MK bag on a working class women. These brands that paint themselves as being oh so luxurious and coveted are pedestrian brands. Because it is entirely true that the rich people who are really truly rich are not buying these brands, they are buying from labels we will likely never hear of. But its funny how when they also have the opportunity to spend their unethical money ethically, they still don't. Sorry for the long comment, fashion is my favorite thing in the world and I'm very happy to see this type of video from you. It's funny timing, I very recently decided on a career change into the fashion industry and here comes this video lol. I do want to say though, one brand I really like is Loewe. I haven't done an insane amount of research on them, so I could be wrong but they do seem to have a genuine focus on craftsmanship, particularly when it comes to their accessories.

[@davidpachecogarcia]

@@sansonaxy_4974 there was a time where materials were very hard to come by. So even a peasants had to make their own clothes with any fabric they could get their hands on. Rich people could afford other people to make their clothes and that became couture. However the peasants couldn’t just buy new clothes so they had to alter and take really good care of the clothes they did have. Vs today where clothes have become disposable. Oh there’s a hole in the shirt just order one online for $5. The value of clothing to a person is very diminished. As far as Balenciaga doing well, it seems they’ve gained an Asian audience. They’re doing well money wise considering they just rehired Demna to stay as creative director. If they were hurting money wise I’m pretty sure the board would have fired Demna and gotten someone new especially after the scandals.

[@airelia4051]

Commenting for visibility, this deserves more views!!

[@SofijaJ]

🐑 ... there's a saying in my country: "sheeps are for shearing"

[@CyberQuince]

Are you from eastern Europe 😂 because same 😂😂

[@kats_rampone]

And what does that mean?

[@lushpapaya9932]

The rich buy luxury fashion, just not the ones plastered with logos. Were talking 7000 dollars Loro Piana cashmere sweaters without a label, not a Guccibelt that the "poors" are able to save up money for.

[@davidpachecogarcia]

This isn’t always true either. I’m sure there’s rich people who like logo items or even dupes. Like the logo but not the prices tag so they spend money on making more money. 🤔

[@asirf.3634]

The rich ain’t buying loro piana, only idiots are. Loro piana’s quality isnt the best either and they were caught not paying their workers in Peru lmao..

[@martineK919]

Neither of you are addressing the issue here: quality(lack of), and customer service ( lack of)

[@vonnie1999]

Very good journalism about luxury market.

[@ATELIER_PAOLPAOL]

I work in luxury knitwear, True luxury to me means the best materials, made to measure/bespoke fitting in tailoring, exclusivity for a handful of clients. The mainstream houses don’t offer that and even their „image“ has vanished with production conditions exposed. So we still exist but don’t need to advertise 🙂

[@sadea8440]

14:22 Temporary tattoos and stickers? Who was the intended target demo for that calender??? 9 year old kids?😂😂

[@moremiaj4786]

Someone at Dior really upset the Italian government..... and so the government decided to take them out. Because THEY ALL do this. Dior is not an exception. I will wager that Chanel is made in even worse conditions and even less valuable.

[@LWMTOSH]

Really enjoyed that video!!! In fact I was going to start taking my ADHD pills this week for the first time but after watching this video it made me realise that my ADHD is my best friend and I never want to be anyone that is neurotypical and fit in as bad as the people in your video do. Thank you baby girl T nuff love. 😘

[@squid3946]

ADHD medication won’t make you neurotypical or erase your ADHD. They won’t give you a desire to fit in or change your personality. If the meds work for you they’ll just make certain parts of your life easier. You’ll still be you, you’ll just keep track of time better and do your work faster and whatnot.

[@LWMTOSH]

@@squid3946 thank you squid. Yeah I know I was just so taken aback by how this video exposed how really lonely and desperate most people are to fit in. 😘

[@User9781yt]

You are also paying and funding the free gifts and trips when luxury brands sponsor the “influencers” while the quality and services decline.

[@lunamiku4166]

The quality of this video is really good!! Thank you for making this I didn't know some of the information that you said and I'm shocked to hear some of them especially the hand embroidery part

[@moremiaj4786]

They have to save as much money as possible in production in order to maximize the profits to their shareholders.

[@kippykippyphoebe9203]

Very informative and intelligent apprising of the fashion industry. Thank you so much and well done. Hands down beat the usual KZbinrs ie. Cassie Thorpe etc with your reporting and research. I’m going to subscribe and hope a lot of others interested in this field do so too. You deserve your place here . ❤

[@averagerunner_]

You are good at this. Took me forever to watch this but I did it. I dislike what I call glamour luxury but do spend my dollars on activewear (Lululemon) and outdoor clothes (Patagonia/ arcteryx) for example. Love your work can't wait for the next!

[@davidpachecogarcia]

Designer brands usually deviate from “normal” looking fashion vs “luxury” which have tied themselves to quality. You can have designer luxury items as well. However with designer you’re usually taking a risk on having “unique” items which may come at a cost of quality. These are also the bigger players in the fashion industry who are basically owned by only a handful of brands LV, Gucci. At that level you’re not really competing anymore. You’re finding any way to save money to please the shareholders. The customers become the last priority. I don’t think there’s a problem with these brands charging whatever they like. The issues I have are with workers rights, exploitation of labor, avoiding taxes and being so wasteful with materials. Like why are you overproducing products when people clearly don’t want them. With people being treated not in the best of terms. People should def be nicer but also no one is forcing you to keep going back. Oh you’re being snobby? This is the behavior the brand lets fly by. Ok. Never coming back.

[@exooutsings]

Really insightful video, deserves more views 👏

[@AndreMsv]

For a long time, as the price of Chanel increased, I no longer thought I could afford it. I think I'll be happy that I have the kislux as my travel bag that I don't have to take care of. By the way, I'm sure no one will have a hard time telling the difference. Thanks for the comparison.

[@Grandma_Jizzzzzzzard]

28:10 I believe this was a marketing campaign from the beginning, including when she went to Chanel in street clothing. Very clever.

[@exooutsings]

Couldn't care less about these "luxury" companies bc they'll sell a goods made with less for more money, cheap things from smaller companies have better quality from their most things they sell anyways

[@friedafrahm6034]

Loveee this topic 🥰🥰 such a good video

[@kolonarulez5222]

Sorry but "Welcome to Louis Vuitton, we don't accept EBT" took me out. That's the only people I ever see with that brand.

[@emerybayblues]

Obviously you need to get around more.

[@gur262]

Daytona. Schwabenleder. Get motorcycle clothes if you want quality 😉😂. Also get a motorcycle.

[@s.fernandes7560]

You pay mostly for Bernard Arnault's huge salary and the shareholders.

[@loicnicolle6065]

niiice video

[@davidpachecogarcia]

Balenciaga taps into anti fashion. I’m typically a fan of the aesthetic. It resembles some of the work Martin Margiela did decades ago..tho I’d say he did a better job. It’s def not new. The aesthetic of used items is just a shortcut to have the aesthetic but not dedicate the time. It’s tapping into the idea of your favorite pair of jeans or shoes that have been molded to your specific body after so many years. Id argue that you can have blind spots when you have so many people involved in something like a campaign. Especially if the structure is coming from the top. What I don’t think happened was, let’s step back and see if this makes sense. Lack of actually having kids or interacting with parents/kids is also another factor that I think might have happened.

[@bella-zk6sy]

nah. it's obviously a channel for money laundering.

[@Grandma_Jizzzzzzzard]

This is exciting

[@sarahjames927]

Go to the small business designers. Good quality and will last. Not well known but amazing quality that what I look for. O and usually it’s 1/2 the price of luxury brands.

[@fashionspy96]

This idea of rich people having to tip big amounts is so disgusting.. like.. if you provided a good service to a middle class person and a high class one, the service was the same.. why do you think you're entitled to more?

[@zanelewar8429]

❤❤❤❤

[@martineK919]

I cannot believe anyone would sacrifice their self respect to give their money to these bozos.