Chinese vendors are taking to TikTok to expose the alleged manufacturers behind Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès and other luxury brands.
China is rattling the world of luxury fashion. For the last few days, Chinese vendors have been taking to TikTok to spill alleged tea on luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Dior, and Hermès.
The videos, posted by supposed vendors, manufacturers and “sourcing experts,” claim that some of the world’s biggest fashion brands secretly manufacture clothing, bags, shoes and other products in China and ship them to Europe to add logos and other finishing touches.
And it’s not just luxury designers, other videos called out Lululemon, Nike, Zara, Adidas, Sephora, Tide and more brands. Chinese vendors are encouraging American shoppers to “cut out the middle man” and shop with them directly starting as low as $1 for select shoes, clothes, jewelry, and beauty products.
There’s no proof that the claims are authentic, but the flood of TikToks are in response to the Trump administration’s on-going trade war with China. Last week, the Trump Administration announced 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. China retaliated by placing 125% tariffs on American goods. The Trump administration later clarified that tariffs would not be imposed on electronics from China, for now.
Hermès got caught in the fray of TikToks, Reddit posts, YouTube and X discussions, over its coveted a Birkin bag. A TikTok user Sen Bags claims Birkins are made in China for around $1,400 each and sold for more than $30,000. As of Monday, the account appears to have been banned on TikTok.
“More than 90% of the price is for it’s logo,” Bags says in the viral TikTok. “But if you do not care about [the logo], you can just buy from us. We use the exact same material. The only difference is we don’t have the logo and our human resource is much cheaper. This bag from our factory only costs $1,000.”
Hermès’ Birkin bags are hand-constructed in France, according to the company, founded nearly in 1837. Arriving more than a century later, the iconic Birkin was introduced in 1984 at a retail price of approximately $2,000.
The luxury bag was inspired by late British actress Jane Birkin following a conversation with Jean-Louis Dumas, former executive chairman of Hermès. The two were seated next to each other on a plane when Birkin complained about not having a bag that was “suitable for her needs as a young mother.”
Though Birkin envisioned a carry-all bag for everyday necessities, the bag has become a status symbol whose popularity (and price tag) has soared over the last few years. Hermès reported a 21% revenue increase during the first half of 2023, per Forbes. Earlier this year, Hermès reported a 15% increase overall and 17% increase in Birkin sales which pushed revenue to nearly $16 billion for 2024. Most of Hermès’ business is dependent on Asian and European markets amid slowing sales from American buyers.
With its prices ranging from roughly $10,000 to more than $60,000, the average shopper won’t be able to afford the designer bag, but Hermès doesn’t seem to be worried about Birkin dupes, like the ones sold at Walmart.
“Some people want to do a bit like Hermès , but it doesn’t work out at the end of the day,” said Axel Dumas, executive chairman at Hermès, during an earnings calls in February.
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