The Elite Designer Label

Designer brands. They’re the looks that celebrities wear on the red carpet. They’re found in stylish boutiques surrounded by security guards. They’re seen as highly overpriced. But what makes them so popular and sought after and are they worth all the money? To answer this question, we can first take a look at some existing luxury labels, Gucci and Supreme.Gucci started off small, selling high quality leather bags in Rome. Eventually, Guccio Gucci, founder of Gucci, opened a store in New York City selling handbags, clothing, belts, etc. The store slowly began to make a name in the United States, aided by high fashion icons and Hollywood stars such as Jaqueline Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.However, unlike the high end European brands like Gucci --chic and elegant, Supreme has done something different. It caters to the youth. Because of Supreme’s limited releases, their items are extremely sought after, and often resold for more than twenty times the initial release price. Gucci rose because of its connection to celebrities, but Supreme made its claim to fame through its social relevance and streetwear style. Their unique design and exclusivity combine to form one of the most popular streetwear designer brands in America. Aside from their high quality materials, designer brands aren’t much more than a name. A designer label can be sold at more than 3 times the price of a similar item without the label. Designer wear is associated with a higher social status, because many celebrities wear designer clothes, so the label implies exclusivity. Because designer labels are expensive and sometimes seen as superficial, many people will search for reproductions. However, the companies selling “fakes” are not transparent about their product production: it’s nearly impossible to find where they were made, who made them, and the effects of the manufacturing process. Buying into these businesses means supporting corporations that might be violating human rights policies, putting toxic waste into the atmosphere, and ruining the reputation of original designer brands.It’s also not recommended to simply buy cheap items of clothing, like fast fashion; it’s not worth it to spend twenty dollars on a pair of jeans that rip after a few washes. Investing in high quality but not overpriced accessories and clothes is always a smart choice. They last long, and aren’t too expensive. Although hard to find nowadays, spotting a good bargain is a reminder that high end fashion choices can still come at affordable prices.