Most Overpriced Designer?

[susseinmcswanny]

I feel like today, it’s really hard for example to love a brand and have it part of your lifestyle. Executives wants all of their brands to be in that luxury category in the most silly way possible. Brands like Margiela or Jil Sander were never that expensive for example.

For real! The priority of portraying the "luxury" and "exclusivity" status is driving me nuts. I'm not gonna give you tons of extra money just because you wish to be perceived as a fancy entity? This season Margiela is charging almost 5 figures for quite a few of their RTW coats, for what? To trick a teenager into feeling more special and justified about the overpriced wallet they're buying? Especially disappoints me about Margiela because like you said, it wasn't about being an expensive "luxury brand". He used to make interesting clothes. Cheap sh*tty fabrics sometimes too. Now Galliano has lost his stupid mind and is after turning it into a heritage brand like Chanel. And they're trying hard on making subtle logos for the "stealth wealth" gimmick, so social climbers across the road can know you overpaid for the blazer you're wearing with the red M sewn into the button. Get lost. Disappointed, but whatever. I'll get over it.

But anyways, I really like Nicolas too lol and make excuses in my head for his stuff all the time. Like I despise LV but I'm still rooting for him and enjoy seeing what he comes up with regardless of who he's working for. That's definitely something I've felt like you said about buying an extension of his creativity. But for LV RTW, I almost feel crazy for saying this, but I really feel like Nicolas' designs end up being less expensive for what you get compared to Prada. I don't think LV skimps on materials and construction when it comes to his runway. Prada on the other hand has increasingly done the absolute bare minimum only to jack up the price for marketing. Like this $6200 stupid knock off canvas Fenty jacket. ?


source: prada.com

If you zoom in on the back of the jacket, the pattern is even sewn lopsided x_x displayed right on the website. I would be much more comfortable buying one of Nicolas' fun expensive creations than a Miuccia x Flop Simons cheap pretentious publicity stunt. Like this parka from his FW21 collection with the embroidered metallic petal lining. So Fing expensive ($8900) but I feel like it's moderately more worth it than buying anything from Prada lol. Maybe a little hypocritical of me but whatever ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


source: louisvuitton.com

 

[GivenchyHomme]

If you zoom in on the back of the jacket, the pattern is even sewn lopsided x_x displayed right on the website. I would be much more comfortable buying one of Nicolas' fun expensive creations than a Miuccia x Flop Simons cheap pretentious publicity stunt. Like this parka from his FW21 collection with the embroidered metallic petal lining. So Fing expensive ($8900) but I feel like it's moderately more worth it than buying anything from Prada lol. Maybe a little hypocritical of me but whatever ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

View attachment 1197891
source: louisvuitton.com

The LV is beautifully made with interesting fabrics and construction. It looks amazing in the campaign.



The Prada on the the other hand, looks very basic construction wise and it's very sparse on design and materials. The LV may be more expensive, but there is a significant difference between the amount of fabrics and construction. It's safe to say the Prada jacket will live unsold on the website for the next few years until it is finally sold to a wholesaler at a discount.



lv.com, prada.com

 

[Lola701]

For real! The priority of portraying the "luxury" and "exclusivity" status is driving me nuts. I'm not gonna give you tons of extra money just because you wish to be perceived as a fancy entity? This season Margiela is charging almost 5 figures for quite a few of their RTW coats, for what? To trick a teenager into feeling more special and justified about the overpriced wallet they're buying? Especially disappoints me about Margiela because like you said, it wasn't about being an expensive "luxury brand". He used to make interesting clothes. Cheap sh*tty fabrics sometimes too. Now Galliano has lost his stupid mind and is after turning it into a heritage brand like Chanel. And they're trying hard on making subtle logos for the "stealth wealth" gimmick, so social climbers across the road can know you overpaid for the blazer you're wearing with the red M sewn into the button. Get lost. Disappointed, but whatever. I'll get over it.

But anyways, I really like Nicolas too lol and make excuses in my head for his stuff all the time. Like I despise LV but I'm still rooting for him and enjoy seeing what he comes up with regardless of who he's working for. That's definitely something I've felt like you said about buying an extension of his creativity. But for LV RTW, I almost feel crazy for saying this, but I really feel like Nicolas' designs end up being less expensive for what you get compared to Prada. I don't think LV skimps on materials and construction when it comes to his runway. Prada on the other hand has increasingly done the absolute bare minimum only to jack up the price for marketing. Like this $6200 stupid knock off canvas Fenty jacket. ?

View attachment 1197893 View attachment 1197892
source: prada.com

If you zoom in on the back of the jacket, the pattern is even sewn lopsided x_x displayed right on the website. I would be much more comfortable buying one of Nicolas' fun expensive creations than a Miuccia x Flop Simons cheap pretentious publicity stunt. Like this parka from his FW21 collection with the embroidered metallic petal lining. So Fing expensive ($8900) but I feel like it's moderately more worth it than buying anything from Prada lol. Maybe a little hypocritical of me but whatever ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

View attachment 1197891
source: louisvuitton.com

If you really pay attention, Vuitton is not that expensive compared to the brands of the same caliber when it comes to fashion, accessories or even bags.

I have been told that one of Nicolas’s goal was really to develop the RTW at Vuitton and coming from his Balenciaga background, I think the strategy was well constructed with Delphine Arnault.

Under Marc, the RTW, or the runway collection was a lot more exclusive. It wasn’t much about a wardrobe than special pieces mainly because he only did the runway collections.

But really I’ve always admired a brand like Acne Studios. I think it’s a brand that offers to possibility for people to really be engaged. They have managed to keep a certain exclusivity, a kind of high standard in terms of creativity while doing a wardrobe. They are more heirs of Margiela than what is done today at the brand.
Even if the quality today is maybe less great than it was, you can buy a beautiful coat, a simple sweater or an interesting runway piece without cutting a leg or saving money for a whole year.

And in the same vein, I’ve for the longest always admired Dries. I got into the brand with the spring 2009 collection but it was always a name that came up around and I loved the fact that those were clothes to live in. And part of the fact that made them livable was the prices. You had the feeling you paid the price for quality and integrity…Not luxury.

And as I said many times, luxury today is a vulgar word used to justify insane prices. And you see people walk around with those items as if they are trophies. And then at the same times those items are easy to find at 60% off in outlets in Europe or USA.

 

[donyan]

I agree with Acne and Dries , and I would add Lutz Huelle and christian Wijnants to the list . I used to buy all the Belgians regularly, but there’s none left .

 

[donyan]

My biggest obstacle has been getting used to not buying my clothes in stores anymore. I used to love spending hours at L'Eclaireur or Maria Luisa, going through the rails, discovering one incredible thing after the other and leaving the store having spent too much money but with a feeling of deep satisfaction and new clothes I'd wear for years.
Now there are only big brands that are both too expensive and the same everywhere, and Brands like Wijnants or Lutz weren't available anywhere near me anymore, so I had to get used to buying them in their own stores online. Christian has a great store in Antwerp too, not too far from Paris, and Lutz has more and more pieces available online, especially the upcycled denim that I love.

 

[susseinmcswanny]

I really just need to let it go lol but here is another example of a status boosting stunt. An MM sweater being touted as "demi-couture" or artisanal in this case I guess.


source: farfetch.com

If this is privileged sorry not sorry sue me idc lol, the wholesale price on this in the US was $3996. Retail is $9990. This sweater baffles me for a few reasons. First, most designer clothes have a big "hand-made" component to them already, whether the labor is exploited or not. I'm wondering when is it decided that a person's "hand-making" value goes up or down? Or does the cost of labor stay the same and the price goes up based on the vibes of the finished product? I'm guessing there is still a big enough profit margin with wholesale. I would be more accepting of this if they sold it to customers at the $4k price. A markup like this is pretty gross.

Second, regardless of the markup, because that concept is nothing new, it annoys me that it is a given no one is actually gonna actually buy this. It's just out there as a "look at me we sell $10,000 exclusive items" stunt to raise the desirability/whatever of their cash grab stuff. I really used to chug the Galliano x MM koolaid, but looking back remembering the old Margiela, I really miss what it used to be. And I can't even admire Galliano's work from afar anymore if I wanted to because all he does is make stupid messy movies now!!

 

[THD96]

But what happened at Margiela tho? I remembered during John's first few years , the house has a very reasonable prices, and suddenly since 2019 everything become more and more expensive.

Another house I think is kinda overpriced is The Row. Some of the products are way too expensive for the materials that they use. This plain coat is €4.120 for 72% Wool, 24% Nylon, 4% Elastane. Even Max Mara 100% cashmere is cheaper.


Therow.com

That's why I love and respected a house like Aläia. He always offered well made fashionable clothes with very reasonable prices. And his house has never struck me as one of those house who will cut corner for profit.

 

[THD96]

This dress from Loewe is retail for €12000. I like this collection in term of creativity and innovation in technique so I don't think it's overpriced. But one can argue that it's just a simple cotton/elastane dress with a metal plate sew into it.

Also Loewe is slowly increase their prices throughout the years. Not drastically like Prada but I have been interesting the brand since 2016 and the prices of their basics is definitely go up when the brand become more popular.

Loewe.com

 

[velvetandsilk]

Overpriced company discovered hot trend from 2016-2018 . Are there dinosaurs working there?
675$

975$

900$

chanel.com

 

[LadyJunon]

Out of interest, what would be a good example of a luxury brand that has realistic prices (price in relation to design and production quality wise)?

 

[susseinmcswanny]

Out of interest, what would be a good example of a luxury brand that has realistic prices (price in relation to design and production quality wise)?

I don't think it works like that anymore lol

 

[yslforever]

I don't think it works like that anymore lol

It really depends, some brands pretend to reflect a luxury lifestyle, and their prices are designed to reflect luxury more than the work or pieces themselves, so those brands manage to be both pretentious and over-priced. Some other brands rely on fashion and clothes only, with a limited range of accessories, they prefer to actually sell their clothes as they represent easily 70 or 80% of their turnover; I am thinking of Jil Sander, Dries van Noten, the Elbaz era Lanvin, AZ factory now, Stella McCartney, Isabelle Marant, Acne, Erdem and many other lesser known designers. Imho, they offer also more personal style, than I can carefully curate, as I hate to buy pieces that I have already seen 10 times on IG.

 

[tatouejeremie]

It really depends, some brands pretend to reflect a luxury lifestyle, and their prices are designed to reflect luxury more than the work or pieces themselves, so those brands manage to be both pretentious and over-priced. Some other brands rely on fashion and clothes only, with a limited range of accessories, they prefer to actually sell their clothes as they represent easily 70 or 80% of their turnover; I am thinking of Jil Sander, Dries van Noten, the Elbaz era Lanvin, AZ factory now, Stella McCartney, Isabelle Marant, Acne, Erdem and many other lesser known designers. Imho, they offer also more personal style, than I can carefully curate, as I hate to buy pieces that I have already seen 10 times on IG.

i doubt most of those brands you mentioned are relying on selling mostly clothes by choice, they're all trying to sell bags it's just that they're not succeeding

 

[eugenius]

Out of interest, what would be a good example of a luxury brand that has realistic prices (price in relation to design and production quality wise)?

Jil Sander, for Uniqlo.

Everybody other luxury brand, you're a fool if you think the pricepoint to design/quality ratio is realistic.

 

[donyan]

I mostly buy Lemaire, Christian Wijnants, Lutz Huelle and Dries , all affordable and special without the hype

 

[SophiaVB]

I just have to say that the pricing for some of these newer brands in NYC is INSANE. i cannot believe khaite is trying/selling basic cashmere sweaters for $1200+

 

[SophiaVB]

1stdibs is in the running for "most overpriced website". It's like grailed for a different demographic. I enjoy browsing it to snag detailed pics of dreamy garments, but it's just like more people arbitrarily upping the price because xyz is "iconic" and "rare". I often see a garment go straight from an auction house lot to 1stdibs with a like 70000% markup. I suggest keeping tabs on auction houses if you like hard to find vintage stuff because sometimes the prices things go for are sooooo crazy cheap. Altho reselling is becoming more and more popular so beware : - (

1stdibs avg order value is $2,500

their time to purchase is something like over a year... over a third of their business is just industry professionals and the remaining percentage is uber wealthy (like kardashians etc) that can afford to not care whether it's priced incorrectly. my friends in celeb interior design said it's gotten increasingly s***** to use if you're an actual professional or gallerist selling there.

 

[THD96]

Hand-crotched shirt: 15000 €

Source: Bottegaveneta.com

I hope the new Matthew's Bottega era has more reasonable prices because who paying this price for a cotton and polyamide shirt. Even Hermès leather jacket is cheaper.

 

[Living Proof]

Hand-crotched shirt: 15000 €
View attachment 1202135
Source: Bottegaveneta.com

I hope the new Matthew's Bottega era has more reasonable prices because who paying this price for a cotton and polyamide shirt. Even Hermès leather jacket is cheaper.

You will be disappointed. The leather jeans from the opening look cost around 6000€ and some of the tailoring pieces will be well over 3000€.

Also this shirt is obviously a novelty item, the overall pricing for this season is pretty much on par with other brands with similar positioning, and already much better than last season which had a whole bunch of beaded items for over 20000€.

 

[Kite]

I really just need to let it go lol but here is another example of a status boosting stunt. An MM sweater being touted as "demi-couture" or artisanal in this case I guess.

View attachment 1198156
source: farfetch.com

This is very expensive, but each patch has been has embroidered and hand painted.

The price of fashion isn't always about exploited labour, its about craft and artistry that goes into the garment, as well as the base fabrications being more expensive, bespoke fastenings, time and effort the teams have put in sourcing etc etc. That is the reason the Row is so expensive, as you're paying for the fabrications and the amazing mills they work with.

Granted, I won't be buying the Margiela jumper and they're won't have been many produced so its a rare piece, same with a lot of Margiela's artisanal pieces. There has been care and artists put into all the patches, same with the metal workers hand moulding the gold metal plate in the Loewe dress, the pattern cutters who integrated it into the dress and product developers who found a way to merge the two extremes in fabrication.

You have to look between the price and the product and see the effort put in. A Chanel denim bucket has is ludicrous for £900, with zero effort, mass production and mindless design, this isn't WORTH £900.