Status Symbol: The Handbag

I never understood some women's desire to have the same designer handbag as everyone else.  I know designer purses can be viewed as status symbols, but I never really paid attention to their prices until yesterday during some girl talk.  If women are trying to use their bags to convey their socioeconomic status to other fashionistas, I might as well take a brief glance at their prices to develop a generalized awareness of purse rankings and a greater appreciation for the value of their respective trademarks.  If you want to know how the retail value of your designer bag ranks in comparison to other iconic bags, here's the list.  I looked up the prices on each retailer's website.  We're going to start with the most prestigious:

1. Hermes Birkin: starting at $8,300.  All the A-list celebrities and B-list reality stars seem to own one.

2. Chanel: $3,420

3. Proenza Schouler: $2,350

4. Bottega Veneta: $1,950

5. Balenciaga: $1,795

6. Jimmy Choo: $1,675

7. Marc Jacobs: $1,350

8. Gucci: $765

9. Prada: $695

10. Louis Vuitton: $665

11. Burberry: $575

12. Kate Spade: $245

13. Dooney & Burke: $175

14. Coach: $148

15. Longchamp: $125

My favorites in this list are the Chanel and the Balenciaga.  But I would not buy such expensive bags until after I have purchased my first house or condo.  Luckily I am not tempted at all by Longchamp, Coach, D&B, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Gucci bags.  I find their designs to be staid and increasingly bourgeois.  

Also, I would never purchase counterfeit products.  If I cannot afford the luxury good, then I simply will not buy it or any cheap imitation of it.  When I buy luxury products, I view them as high-quality investments that I can use for years, even decades.  

How China (and I) See the World

I would say The Economist cover above accurately portrays the current balance of world powers from a socioeconomic and infrastructural perspective.  Today, most Chinese cities are, without a doubt, more glamorous and more technologically advanced than major American and European cities.  Despite the Communist government, China had 364,000 millionaires at the end of 2008 - a millionaire population surpassed only by the United States, Japan, and Germany.

What especially amuses me about the map above is the depiction of a dysfunctional, barren America heavily in debt, with foreclosed homes for sale; Wall Street falling through a huge crack; and Lady Liberty shamelessly soliciting other nations to "please give generously."  Nothing appears to be happening in Canada.  The only notable event in South America seems to be the active bulldozing of the rainforest.  While the Americas may appear useless for the most part to the Chinese, Africa seems like a land of opportunity with its abundant minerals and oil reserves.  Also, multitudes of wealthy Chinese women will continue to rely on Europe for its luxury goods - most notably, Prada and Hermes (Birkin bag, starting at approximately  USD $5000).    

Click on the images above and below to view the full-size pictures.

For reference, Victoria Beckham carries a Hermes Birkin, as pictured below.  I adore her RM by Roland Mouret dress.