#luxuryhandbags #overconsumption #luxurybrands Are luxury handbags truly worth their exorbitant prices? Recent revelations from Chinese manufacturers have unveiled the reality behind the production costs of iconic bags like the Hermès Birkin. While these bags retail for upwards of $34,000, insiders claim the actual manufacturing cost is about $1,400 which can only be attributed to branding and perceived exclusivity. In this video, I discuss how on TikTok and other popular media, women are constantly targeted with a stream of microtrends that sell the illusion of empowerment through consumption. From “Soft Life” to “hypergamy” and “Stay At Home Girlfriends” young women are being conditioned to equate success, femininity, and self-worth with luxury living. This is commodity feminism in action. The packaging of liberation as lifestyle, where the solution to gendered inequity isn’t structural change, but a Chanel bag, a Dior tote, or a rich husband with a trust fund. “Femininity coaches” encourage women to refine themselves into luxury accessories for rich men, while “That Girl” and“Old Money Aesthetic” content push a sanitized, version of womanhood that revolves around Pilates, perfectly curated skincare, and designer handbags as markers of value and leads many down the alt-right pipeline for women. Sources: The Debate Over ‘Walmart Birkins’ and Authentic Birkins, Explained https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/walmart-birkin-bag-explained/ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Birkin Bag Obsession Is Out of Control https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/the-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-birkin-bag-obsession-is-out-of-control/ What a $34,000 bag really costs: Chinese suppliers show luxury goods at 90% lower prices https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/what-a-34000-bag-really-costs-chinese-suppliers-show-luxury-goods-at-90-lower-prices-amid-trade-war-with-us/articleshow/120307605.cms?from=mdr Louis Vuitton N**i Collaboration https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jun/03/france.secondworldwar The Politics of Pockets https://www.vox.com/2016/9/19/12865560/politics-of-pockets-suffragettes-women The Case of Colonialism in Louis Vuitton’s ‘Brazza Wallet’ https://lamosaic.ca/social-issues/problemes-sociaux/the-case-of-colonialism-in-louis-vuittons-brazza-wallet Colonialism in Fashion https://remake.world/stories/news/colonialism-in-fashion-brands-are-todays-colonial-masters/ Luxury Brands Rac*sm https://www.bet.com/article/o8f6y9/the-internet-has-questions-for-brands-with-history-of-racism Barbara Segal Birkin Bags Sculptures https://i-d.co/article/meet-barbara-segal-the-artist-carving-birkin-bags-from-marble/ Prada's r*cist monkey chains https://www.bet.com/article/28n9fk/prada-pulls-its-monkey-like-key-chain-after-backlash Gucci's r*cist sweater https://www.bet.com/article/nqkc4c/black-people-won-t-cancel-gucci-and-that-s-the-real-problem Burberry Noose Hoodie https://www.bet.com/article/ma57s2/burberry-riccardo-tisci-issues-an-apology-for-noose Follow me on my socials: https://instagram.com/ashleyaviola https://x.com/ashleyaviola Join my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AshleyAViola *Disclaimer: Information presented in this video is my opinion and mine alone. Business inquiries: ashleyviolamedia@gmail.com Keywords for the algo: Walmart Birkin, Hermès Birkin bag, designer handbag dupe, luxury handbag, overconsumption, Birkin replica, affordable luxury, viral TikTok bag Birkin knockoff, Chinese luxury bag suppliers, US China trade war manufacturers, TikTok unboxing, fashion status symbol, luxury branding, Temu handbags, fashion influencers, social media fashion trends, designer bag culture, viral fashion trends, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, RHOBH, Birkin bag obsession, consumerism, influencer hauls, luxury brands are a scam, Trump’s tariffs, Amazon haul, temu haul, sephora haul, commodity feminism, katy perry feminism, Louis Vuitton, Viral Dior tote bag, Trade Joes tote bag, Chanel flap