What in the World
Are all luxury handbags really made in China?
Apr 21, 2025
Blythe Milligan, a supply chain expert and host of the Everything is Logistics podcast, dives into the controversial topic of luxury handbags and their manufacturing origins. She explains why many high-end products are produced in Asia, challenging consumer perceptions of value and authenticity. Blythe also unpacks the complexities of global supply chains, discussing the impact of tariffs and the counterfeit market on luxury branding. Listeners will gain insight into the intricate journey of luxury production and the factors shaping their prices.
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Quick takeaways
- Luxury handbags often have production outsourced to China, with final assembly in Europe to comply with regulations, complicating authenticity concerns.
- Geopolitical factors like tariffs are influencing luxury brands' transparency about their supply chains, as consumers demand more authenticity about origins.
Deep dives
The Truth Behind Luxury Goods Manufacturing
Numerous videos circulating on social media claim that many luxury handbags are primarily manufactured in China, with only the addition of a brand logo occurring in Europe or America. These assertions raise concerns among consumers about the authenticity of their purchases and whether they are being misled about the origin of these high-end products. Experts in supply chain and copyright law have clarified that while a significant amount of production does occur in China, the final assembly often takes place in Europe, complying with EU regulations. Thus, these videos generally oversimplify the manufacturing process, suggesting that simply attaching a logo transforms a product's origin, which is not the case.
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