Radio Atlantic

Money Can Buy You Everything, Except Maybe a Birkin Bag

Apr 11, 2024

Join Atlantic staff writer Amanda Mull as she discusses the lawsuit against Hermès regarding Birkin bag purchases. Dive into the evolving luxury market, the allure of exclusive items, and the emotional significance of owning pricey handbags.

25:25

Episode guests

Amanda Mull

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Luxury brands like Hermes emphasize authenticity and exclusivity, while modern corporatization has shifted towards mass production and global marketing.

Balancing scarcity and mass appeal, luxury brands maintain desirability with limited editions and collaborations, projecting exclusivity in a broad market.

Deep dives

Evolution of Luxury Brands and Production Methods

Luxury brands like Hermes and Louis Vuitton have origins tied to providing bespoke and rare items for the wealthy, emphasizing craftsmanship and exclusivity. The entry of Bernard Arnault in the 1980s marked a shift towards corporatization and mass production in the luxury industry, leading to a focus on global marketing and increased production capabilities.

Introduction

2min

The Allure of the Hermes Birkin Bag

8min

Cracking the Code: The World of Birkin Bags

4min

Legal Battle Over Birkin Bag Purchase Rights and Rarity

2min

Evolution of Luxury Goods and Scarcity in the Modern Market

4min

Navigating the Complexity of Luxury Goods and Craftsmanship

3min

Is having a Birkin bag ... a right? Earlier this year, two California residents filed a class-action lawsuit against the French luxury design company Hermès. Their grievance was that although they could afford a coveted Birkin bag made by the company, they could not buy one.

We talk to Atlantic staff writer Amanda Mull about the lawsuit and the current state of the luxury market. What do we actually want from luxury these days? Is there even such a thing anymore as a rare luxury good? And what handbag is Amanda carrying?

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Radio Atlantic

Money Can Buy You Everything, Except Maybe a Birkin Bag

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Evolution of Luxury Brands and Production Methods

Scarcity and Aspiration in Luxury Goods

Integrity in Luxury Production and Consumer Market Realities

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts