Bag Snob shares some news about Hermes expanding into India with the first store planned for New Delhi. Some readers of Bag Snob are a little concerned about a luxury brand becoming too big and being available to the “masses”. One reader says:
“…as soon as luxury brands expand they usually become less avant-garde in order to please the tasteless masses.”
What is luxury anyways? It seems that many companies and marketing people throw around that word in order to add instant exclusivity to their product. When we think of “luxury”, we think of high quality and good taste, but now the word has become as cliché as “bling”. That’s not to say that Hermes isn’t a luxury brand because they’ve proven that they indeed provide luxurious products. However, I do have to say that luxury really and truly is just a perception. I can tell you that I’ve owned high quality, lesser-known handbags and clothing that I would consider very luxurious.
So, going back to Hermes and their expansion into other countries. It seems to me that some of Bag Snob readers are a little threatened by a so-called “third world” country having access to their beloved Hermes. One reader says it well:
“The markets in China and India are expanding drastically and, from a business standpoint, it would be silly if Hermes didn't take advantage of that. As for the designer losing its exclusive reputation, don't wealthy socialites in China and India deserve their Birkins just as much as the next girl?”
Read more over at Bag Snob…
I read the comments on BagSnob's post on Hermes, and they were hilarious. It's as if they are the epitome of class and luxury, and the very idea that perhaps an Indian lady in Calcutta might be carrying the prized Birkin was just too much to bear for them.
I will not sugarcoat their arrogance.
Posted by: Carrying Contraption | June 18, 2007 2:30 PM | Permalink to Comment