Can someone explain the appeal of expensive Hermès bags to me

[KellyK2026]

I don’t know how, but I recently got sucked into watching a bunch of Love Luxury videos on YouTube which features rich people buying expensive Hermes bags. Can someone please explain the obsession with Hermes bags? To me, they look very basic or just plain ugly. I cannot fathom why someone would pay £20,000-200k on a bag which costs a fraction of that price to produce and was mostly made in China. I’d rather get a good quality bag which has been handcrafted locally for £200 or less. Someone please explain it to me?!

I've stated that I'm happy to have a discussion about the ethical standards of all brands - start a new thread and I'll happily discuss, as I'm sure will others.

If you need to have it explained then you won't get it

It’s very simple, I would also stop supporting an artist if they were as ethically questionable and killed exotic animals.

I imagine many of those people flaunt their wealth left right and centre so probably make themselves moving targets. Even the possibly getting mugged thing is very helpful for views and likes amongst some people 😳

I sadly do not have the funds or connections (aren’t certain ones wait list/invite only?) but if I did who knows, of the craftsmanship and materials were beauty possibly I would.

No thanks, I’ve think you’ve made it very clear the sort of person you are and we aren’t going to agree.

So let's discuss and debate in an adult way. You have no idea what sort of person I am and vice versa.

Is this the first time you hear about this?

@KellyK2026 First you said that Hermes bags were made in China... they're not, they're made in France.

Now you assert that Jane Birkin said she wanted nothing more to do with Hermes when they started using crocodile skins. In fact the following is true:

'In July 2015, Jane Birkin asked Hermès to remove her name from the crocodile-skin version of the bag (the "Birkin Croco") after seeing a graphic PETA video exposing cruel slaughter practices. However, she did not cut ties permanently; later that year, she dropped her request after Hermès satisfied her with explanations and corrective measures.'

@Ruthietuthiewhen I win the lottery will you introduce me to your sales associate? I wouldn’t need the self-validation, I assure you I’d be in that shop like a rat up a drain pipe. And if any fucker tried to nick it good luck with that.

Ahhh so when you asked for others to explain the appeal which some have, what you actually wanted was a reason you could agree with. Which is not the same thing🙂

I wouldn't waste your breath... @KellyK2026 has made herself judge and jury

You’ve said that killing crocs is the same as killing any other type of animal. That tells me enough, believe me.

Lol!

Hmm I agree the quality of the bags are better than say next but....arevtuey really worth such a lot? Is the person hand making the bag getting paid a lot? Just curious as I always assumed you were paying more for the brand name than the overall quality?

Well maybe, but I do think a balanced discussion of ethics more broadly might be of value. It's a rather one-dimensional discussion as it stands.

I actually stated that "I don't consider the lives of so called 'exotic animals' any different to those of other animals". Hence the point of calling for a broader discussion about the ethics of animal welfare in general.

I saved up for a ysl bag and I'm saving for Gucci one. It definitely isn't for validation of others. I'd rather buy something that I can keep or sell on for value, not some cheap tat that will end up in a landfill site!

Authentic Hermes bags are hand made in France. No idea why you think they are made in China unless fake

Chickens are slaughtered for meat at about 5 to 6 weeks old . Egg-laying hens at around 18 months of age. Chickens can live between 5 and 10 years if left to live naturally.

Lambs for meat are slaughtered at an average of 6 months. Sheep have a natural lifespan of 10 to 12.

Beef cattle have an average slaughter age of 22 to 23 months - in intensive farming systems this is often earlier at around 15 months.

Dairy cows are usually slaughtered at around 5 to 6 years of age once they no longer produce enough milk to be profitable

Cattle have a natural lifespan of 15 to 20 year. Sometimes as long as 25 years.

It's okay to just say you are a hypocrite.

@Bobbieiris, the people who make the bag are well-paid. They work in special ateliers in France, training for many years, and are recognized as exceptionally skilled, the best of the best.
You can see the difference in quality, in how the bag looks, feels, and, particularly, how it wears. I have bags I have used as travel bags for years - thrown under plane seats, stuffed full, and while the bags have softened, it still looks wonderful. Looking better with wear is a desirable quality of both particular leathers and particular styles - so my Birkin is Togo leather, retourne style, which is both resilient and also a little softer looking, a little slouchier, and this becomes slightly more pronounced over the years... the wear is intended and desirable.
Every 10 years or so, I send it in for refurbishment. It comes back looking perfect.

Again, it’s different.

Nice....my Guccis and my YSL are my faves.

The thing is that it isn't. It just makes you feel better if you tell yourself that.

The thing is, do mammals carry the same pathogens as reptiles? Are their skulls as thick and do they take longer to euthanise? Are lambs and chickens apex predators? I’m surprised an adult is claiming a croc and an egg are the same thing.