Kim Kardashian & Kylie Jenner SUE Hermes After Finding Out Their Birkins Are Worthless | HO

May 19, 2025

In a dramatic turn for the luxury fashion world, reality TV moguls Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner have reportedly filed a lawsuit against French luxury house Hermès, after discovering that their prized Birkin bags—long considered the ultimate status symbol—may be worth only a fraction of their purchase price. The suit comes in the wake of viral social media claims that many high-end designer goods, including Hermès Birkins, are manufactured in Chinese factories at a fraction of their retail cost.

Luxury Stores Empty, Social Media in Uproar

The controversy erupted after a wave of viral TikTok videos and exposés from Chinese manufacturers claimed that many iconic luxury items, including Birkin bags, are produced in Chinese factories using materials and labor that cost only a few hundred dollars per bag. These revelations sent shockwaves through the luxury market, with celebrities and influencers alike expressing outrage and disbelief as luxury boutiques in major cities were reported to be eerily empty.

Kim Kardashian responded to the news with skepticism, suggesting that viral images of empty luxury stores could have been taken at dawn, while Kylie Jenner took a stronger stance, announcing she would no longer purchase Hermès bags “after everything that’s been said.” The controversy has put Hermès and other luxury brands under immense pressure as sales slow and social media continues to fuel the drama.

The Birkin Scandal: From Status Symbol to “Worthless”

For decades, Hermès Birkin bags have been the ultimate symbol of wealth and exclusivity, with waiting lists stretching years and prices ranging from $10,000 to over $500,000 for rare editions. The Kardashian-Jenner family, known for flaunting their extensive Birkin collections on social media, have built much of their public image around luxury consumption and exclusivity.

However, the recent revelations have reportedly left the sisters furious. Word on the street is that Kim and Kylie were “burning with rage” after learning that their luxury bags—once thought to be meticulously handcrafted in France or Italy—may have been mass-produced in Chinese factories. According to insiders, the family discovered their collections, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, could now be valued at only a few thousand dollars in total due to their alleged origins.

The Lawsuit: Demanding Accountability from Hermès

Sources close to the Kardashian-Jenner camp claim that Kim and Kylie are suing Hermès for a full refund of all their Birkin purchases, citing misrepresentation and loss of value. The sisters are reportedly demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation, arguing that Hermès failed to uphold the exclusivity and craftsmanship that justified the bags’ astronomical prices.

Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for luxury branding and consumer rights. “If it’s proven that Hermès misled consumers about the origin and production of their goods, it could open the floodgates for similar lawsuits from other high-profile clients and regular customers alike,” said one fashion industry attorney.

How Did We Get Here? The TikTok Effect and the China Connection

The scandal’s origins can be traced back to the ongoing U.S.-China trade war and subsequent social media revelations. As tariffs and trade tensions escalated, Chinese factory owners and workers began posting videos on TikTok, claiming that they produced goods for the world’s most prestigious luxury brands. Some even provided detailed breakdowns of the costs involved in manufacturing Birkin bags, from Italian leather ($450 per bag) to French lambskin lining ($100), high-end thread ($25), and ocean-grade stainless steel hardware ($150). According to these posts, the total cost to produce a Birkin could be as low as $700, while the retail price can exceed $38,000.

These revelations sparked outrage among influencers and everyday consumers alike, many of whom felt duped after saving for years to purchase what they believed were rare, artisanal items. The idea that “commoners” could now order nearly identical bags for a fraction of the price shattered the illusion of exclusivity that luxury brands like Hermès have carefully cultivated for decades.

Luxury Brands Push Back

Unsurprisingly, Hermès and other luxury houses have moved quickly to deny the allegations. Louis Vuitton, for example, has issued statements asserting that none of its products are manufactured in China, while Lululemon clarified that only a small percentage of its products are made there and that the company maintains strict oversight of its supply chain.

Hermès has maintained that its Birkins are handcrafted by skilled artisans in France, with only the finest materials and the strictest quality controls. However, critics argue that without full transparency regarding supply chains, consumers are left to take brands at their word.

The Kardashian-Jenner Obsession with Status

For the Kardashian-Jenner family, the scandal strikes at the heart of their carefully curated public image. Known for their relentless pursuit of luxury and exclusivity, Kim and Kylie have built empires around the idea of being part of the world’s elite—an image now threatened by the democratization of luxury goods.

Observers note that this is not the first time the family has faced backlash over issues of authenticity and exclusivity. In recent years, as cosmetic procedures like BBLs and lip fillers became more accessible to the masses, the Kardashians were quick to pivot toward a “natural” look, seeking to maintain their status as trendsetters and tastemakers.

A Wider Reckoning for Luxury Fashion

The Birkin scandal may be just the tip of the iceberg for the luxury industry. As social media continues to democratize information and expose hidden truths about production and pricing, brands are under increasing pressure to provide transparency and justify their sky-high price tags.

For now, the Kardashian-Jenner lawsuit against Hermès remains unconfirmed by official court records, but the fallout is already being felt. Influencers and celebrities are reconsidering their relationships with luxury brands, and the public is more skeptical than ever about what really goes into the making of a $40,000 handbag.

What Happens Next?

Whether Kim and Kylie’s legal action will succeed remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the days of unquestioned luxury branding may be coming to an end. As consumers demand honesty and accountability, the industry’s biggest names are facing a reckoning that could reshape the very meaning of luxury in the years to come.