The Downfall of Designer: Why Designer Goods Are Becoming Obsolete
The Downfall of Designer
For decades, designer goods symbolized exclusivity, status, and wealth. However, cultural shifts, practical concerns, and evolving consumer values are challenging their relevance. From the rise of quiet luxury to safety concerns and the proliferation of counterfeit goods, traditional designer items are becoming less desirable. Here's an exploration of why designer goods are gradually becoming obsolete in recent years.
The Quiet Luxury Movement
As social media has grown people naturally conform to what is “in”. And in recent years it has become a trend for the middle class to mimic how they believe people with ‘old money’ go about things. We see this in interior design with the rise of greige and monotone neutrals. As if people with old money are somehow allergic to color and putting any ounce of humanity in one's space. And the rise of quiet luxury is no different. While it marks a departure from the loud, logo-centric branding that once defined the luxury industry. It also brings in the same dull color palette seen in the interiors of ‘old money’ adjacent homes. It has the younger generations excited to wear brands like Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana which frankly were made for wealthy geriatrics who value comfort over style. People ignore the understated elegance and impeccable craftsmanship of what could be considered old money and instead opt for Zara blazers and linen pants both of course in a neutral beige tone because, well, it's cheaper. Quiet luxury is all about the quality. While over conspicuous displays of wealth are uninteresting and gaudy in its own way; quiet luxury and its ties to social media have almost single handedly annihilated the interesting individuality of what could have been.
This shift reflects a broader cultural reevaluation of luxury. Millennials and Gen Z claim to value authenticity and individuality, yet their embrace of old money aesthetics feels more like a rebranded conformity than a true departure from logomania.
Before and After : a girlfriends redesign of her boyfriends apartment
Safety Concerns: Fear of Carrying Designer Bags
Imagine the feeling of being able to purchase your dream bag in the center of downtown. You purchase it and leave the store feeling elated and proud because your hard work is finally paying off. You walk down the street as happy as you can be moments from your car bag in hand and you feel a rush beside you. The bag is gone and all you see is a figure running away with your hard-earned purchase. Unfortunately, such scenarios are becoming alarmingly common. Another critical factor contributing to the decline of designer goods is safety. In urban areas like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, high-profile thefts, bipping*, and "smash-and-grab" robberies have made carrying recognizable designer items feel like a liability.
This fear has led many consumers to forgo expensive designer items in favor of inconspicuous alternatives, such as a tote or mid-level designer brand. A luxury bag, once a symbol of success, now feels like a liability in environments where safety is a concern. For many, the risks of carrying such items outweigh the rewards, driving a shift toward less conspicuous and more practical accessories and clothing.
* car break-in in San Francisco that shatters vehicle windows with very little noise to allow for looting.
Luxury smash and grab
The Proliferation of Fake Bags
By now we've all heard of the terms ‘Walmart Birkin’ ‘DH gate haul’ and the infamous ‘canal street’. The rise of counterfeit goods, particularly high-quality "superfakes," has also eroded the appeal of designer items. These counterfeit bags are so convincing that even experts struggle to differentiate them from authentic pieces and frankly why buy the original when you can purchase a seemingly real bag for less than half the price. With the influx of super-fakes flooding the market designer goods have become less a coveted item of wealth and more an achievable thing for the middle and lower classes causing true patrons of these designer houses searching for something less saturated. This influx has eroded the cachet of designer goods, turning once-coveted symbols of wealth into mass-market commodities. While some purchase counterfeits for the design alone, others see it as a critique of consumerism and capitalism. Ironically, this overconsumption of both real and fake goods only perpetuates the very system they seek to undermine. People act like purchasing more accessible goods means they’re sticking it to capitalism when in reality there is always someone worse off. They do not understand that to be able to purchase a shirt for 5 dollars there is someone slaving away in a third world country making pennies to keep their families afloat. To not contribute to capitalism means to not follow trends and to only own what is needed to survive. And by purchasing accessible goods people are just contributing to the issue.
Moreover, the life of luxury is so coveted and shown through social media some people will do anything to achieve it including becoming a poser. Younger consumers are less likely to view purchasing a counterfeit item as taboo, but some people go as far as to pass off their fake designer as authentic and that seemingly is where the problem lies. This cultural change has diminished the cachet of authentic designer goods, as their uniqueness and status become diluted in a sea of indistinguishable replicas.
Walmart ‘Birkin’ vs Hermes Birkin
Designer goods are facing an identity crisis. The rise of quiet luxury, safety concerns, and the proliferation of counterfeit items are all contributing to their decline. As consumers continue to redefine what luxury means, the focus has shifted from outward displays of wealth to inward expressions of quality, authenticity, and individuality.
In this new era, the appeal of traditional designer goods is fading. They are being replaced by items that prioritize practicality, sustainability, and personal values proving that luxury is no longer about being seen.
