By Claudia Abbott
Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Steve Madden and many more luxury brands are on people’s wish lists all around the globe, and some of the lucky ones are able to spend an upward of thousands on these products. However, the real question is, are they really worth the price?
More than half of UK Gen Z consumers have at least one designer item in their wardrobe, Fashion Network reported, citing a new survey from insights company Prograd. The trend is “showing a real cultural shift towards high end fashion”, it said.
Many critics of luxury products argue that purchasing something from your favourite designer brand can be seen as prioritising short-term gratification over long-term financial stability. It could be pointed out that the high prices of luxury items often reflect branding, marketing and exclusivity rather than intrinsic value or quality.
However, fast fashion pieces are usually based off of styles presented at Fashion Week runways or worn by celebrities, and these more often than not are designer brands. So designer products are the trend setters; and they do not follow the same process that cheaper fast fashion does.
All the products created by luxury brands are intricately designed and perfected to the last stitch, they are made to last. There is also an investment argument to be made, as certain designer pieces can retain or even increase in value over time.
“It’s about more than just top-quality products; prestige and status come along with the brand,” said website Handbagholic talking about Louis Vuitton, which it said had “worked hard” to maintain their image.
“Their stores are beautiful and well maintained, the packaging is luxe, and the customer service goes above and beyond. People strive to be able to afford a little piece of luxury – Louis Vuitton understands this and charges a premium to maintain its exclusive image.”
But are they sustainable?
How sustainable it is to buy from designer brands? Luxury brands create fewer products to sell, so there will be less waste produced from the manufacturers. Furthermore, consumers are less likely to throw away a £2,000 designer jacket compared to a £20 fast fashion jacket.
Is buying designer pieces worth it for the price? Zak Khan, 24, A sales advisor at Arket says, “Sometimes, I think some designers can get better materials for their clothes but other times I don’t think the price is justifiable.”
Ultimately, whether you see designer brand purchases as a decadence or investment is down to personal perspective, regarding the individual’s priorities and values. For some, a designer piece is an investment that will last a lifetime. To others, it is a waste of money when there are cheaper alternatives on the market.
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