Are Hermès bags worth billions of dollars really made in China?

Many social media users expressed surprise, even anger, when they learned about the "huge" profit margin behind the production of this iconic accessory.

A video from the SENBAGS account estimates the cost of producing a Birkin bag to be only around $1,400-2,200 (VND 36-57 million). Meanwhile, the official retail price at the store ranges from $10,000-30,000 (about VND 259-778 million), depending on the version.

Extremely rigorous production process

Despite the controversy, Hermès – the icon of French luxury fashion – has remained faithful to its traditional handcrafting processes at home. Unlike some international brands that have shifted production to Asia, the brand does not have any handbag manufacturing facilities in China.

Instead, famous bag models such as Birkin or Kelly are all crafted in France by skilled artisans. This is a factor that contributes to maintaining the appeal and collectible value of this famous bag line.

Today, Hermès owns many factories spread across regions such as Pantin located just outside the capital Paris, Ardennes, Lyon, Normandy (France) and several other localities.

The time to make a Hermès bag can last 15-40 hours, depending on the model (Photo: CPP).

Maintaining the entire manufacturing process domestically not only ensures product quality, but also contributes to preserving traditional French craftsmanship values.

The time it takes to create a Hermès bag can last from 15 to 40 hours, depending on the model. For classic designs such as the Birkin, Kelly or Constance, each product is created by hands that have undergone rigorous training, which can take up to 5 years, to ensure absolute sophistication.

The special thing about Hermès is that this brand owns its own tanneries, allowing strict quality control from raw materials to finished products.

Each bag is hot-stamped with an identification number, usually located under the flap or inside the leather lining. This not only authenticates its origin, but also indicates the date and place of manufacture – a testament to the personalization and craftsmanship that Hermès has pursued for decades.

Hermès bag artisans all undergo years of training (Photo: WWD).

To become an artisan at Hermès, candidates must undergo a rigorous training program at the brand’s in-house tanning school, lasting at least a year. After completing this, they are eligible to participate in the handmade handbag production process.

Under current regulations, a product can only be labelled “made in France” if the final significant manufacturing stages take place on French territory.

For Hermès, this standard is not only met, but also enhanced. The entire process from design, selection of raw materials, cutting, sewing, assembly to finishing takes place in France, guaranteeing the quality and tradition of the product.

Where are luxury handbags made?

Many consumers wonder about the true origin of designer handbags, especially whether they are made in China or not?

The answer is not entirely simple, says Bily Dimoski, Australian CEO of global fashion company Deepwear, as products are designed, finished and assembled in Europe, but many of the raw materials and components can be sourced from Asia.

“China is a major player in global manufacturing. But the idea that 80% of luxury goods are made there is a simplistic understanding of today’s complex supply chains,” said Dimoski.

Producing high quality products does not mean that the product is genuine (Photo: Getty).

In fact, many major brands such as Louis Vuitton have used part of their production process outside Europe, of which about 60-70% of the components and accessories of the bag can be produced in Asian countries, including China.

However, the product finishing stage including assembly, tailoring and quality control is often still carried out in Europe to ensure standards and maintain the reputation of "Made in France" or "Made in Italy".

Prada and Miu Miu, both brands under the Prada Group, maintain handbag production in Italy, with the Valvigna complex in Tuscany playing a key role in the brand’s supply chain.

This is where high-quality craftsmanship is guaranteed and the true "Made in Italy" status of Prada and Miu Miu products is affirmed.

Meanwhile, Saint Laurent - a brand of the Kering group - also has factories in France and Italy. In particular, the company owns a leather goods facility in Tuscany - known as the "handbag capital" of Europe.

It is also home to the workshops of other big names such as Gucci and Dior, creating a network of artisanal production with a strong European spirit.

The bag's accessories can be produced in Asian countries, including China (Photo: 9news).

“It is already happening that some parts are made outside Europe. But that doesn’t mean the whole bag is made in China,” Ms. Dimoski stressed.

Ms. Dimoski also issued a warning to consumers, especially when ordering luxury handbags through shady online platforms.

"Chinese factories today do not lack technology and skills. They have the capacity to create sophisticated imitation products that are difficult to distinguish. However, producing high-quality products does not mean that the product is genuine," she shared.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/tui-hermes-gia-ca-ty-dong-co-thuc-su-duoc-san-xuat-tai-trung-quoc-20250515124752234.htm