A Wren Says

They have gone viral tearing apart luxury handbags. You know them. Those leather craftsman on TikTok who have made it their mission to let you know that that Chanel bag you thought you wanted save for is only really worth $100 at best. They say these things aren’t worth the price tag. But is that true?

I just watched one where the man was restoring a pair of YSL boots. The cost of the boots was originally $1400. He was disappointed that the heel was made out of leather-covered plastic instead of just stacked leather. In his mind, that cheapened the boot. He then proceeded to do the repair with a stacked leather heel.

The shoe had been worn by motorcyclist. He loved the boots and wanted them to be repaired rather than discarding them. There was a hole in the sole. There didn’t seem that there was as much damage to the heel. These are two factors that lead me to question the craftsman’s assessment of value.

Could it be that rather than just using expensive materials, the designers were using more durable material, i.e. plastic? Durability, no doubt, factors into the price. But more importantly, is the real answer to the value of the item something that can only be determined by the customer? The amount that he cherished those boots and his willingness to keep them going, along with his willingness to pay the initial price all point to the value of the shoes.

When people get on and talk about expensive stuff as not worthy of the price, they mean instead, “I’m not willing to pay that price because this is not what I value.” Maybe it is time for a different discussion? For those who value luxury goods, a place where they can speak to how and why the value a thing. And for those who don’t, a place where they talk about what they value and why.

For me to enter in to this conversation on my own, I want to know more about how things are made. I would love to go to a leather show or a shoe manufacturer. I want to see how handmade goods are crafted and how skincare is formulated. More importantly, I want to hear more from others and learn what they cherish and why.