Photo credit: Louis Vuitton
Fashion, like any other art form, is subjective and not everyone will get this “thing” (think blue scene from The Devil Wears Prada). But there is a limit to cool fashion and unnecessary luxury. One shopper took to Reddit to criticize an incredibly expensive bag.
The post, shared to r/MildlyInfuriating, shows a Louis Vuitton bag in a classic colorway, but this time with a less-than-practical twist: a tote-style bag with three large holes cut into each side. The bag appears to be on sale at a slight discount for $4,845. The caption accompanying the post reads, “Is this luxury fashion? What’s trending?”
Photo credit: Reddit
The bag was made in collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Rei Kawakubo, founder of the famous avant-garde fashion brand Comme des Garçons. According to Tatler Asia, the bag was originally created in 2014 along with several other “outcast” collaborations, and was re-released in 2021, according to Hypebeast.
Because fashion is an art, sometimes it can have a deeper meaning. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case this time.
Bustle magazine wrote about the bag when it was first released, in which Kawakubo explained her design: “There are lots of ways to tear things up to create something new, but this time I just did it straight up. I just cut a few holes in the fabric of the bag. I generally like small bags.”
According to the description, Kawakubo likes small bags, and although this bag is a large tote, the holes make it functionally quite small.
Sign up for our newsletter and get helpful news, easy hacks, and the latest in cool clean tech delivered straight to your inbox every week.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting luxury goods, and some brands have very ethical practices. Stella McCartney is one of the pioneers of “ethical design,” according to Harper’s Bazaar. Her company received a four out of five rating on ethical clothing site Good On You.
However, prioritizing form over function in fashion can lead to wasteful consumption.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “Clothing and shoe production accounts for between 4% and 8.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions.” Clothing production and consumption have increased over the past few decades as companies sought to shorten trend cycles and reduce production costs, resulting in inferior clothing that lasts only a fraction of the time of vintage items.
Buying secondhand to extend the life of items helps reduce your carbon footprint, and it’s also a way to find quality clothing and express your personal style. Some shoppers have found Comme des Garçons clothing in thrift stores.
Commenters were understandably upset by the design, with one person writing: “This bag is a metaphor for them taking your money.”
Another person said: “For the woman who has everything, an empty purse is perfect.”
Sign up for our free newsletter for good news, helpful tips, and a great list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
