I support the Chanel price increase.
I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but hear me out.
Price increases are always a hot topic in the online purse community. From the moment that the first rumblings of an increase start popping up on the forums, people start wondering about how much the increase will be, how it will impact their wish list, and if they should go ahead and buy a bag before the price goes up. There’s usually a bit of grumbling, a touch of complaining, and references to a price increase just happening only a little while back. Handbag lovers know that they’re inevitable. Production and raw material costs change. Exchange rates fluctuate. The price of purses goes up. It’s expected that they will happen, but no one is ever happy about it.
The recently announced CHANEL price increase has been THE hot topic in the purse community. Much debated and lamented, it seems to many a rather large increase at a rather inopportune time. This is where my potentially unpopular opinion comes in. I think the increase makes total sense and I fully support it. Especially in light of the current world events related to COVID-19.
While eligible for financial support from the French government, CHANEL chose to not take government money. The company was quoted as saying it wanted to “avoid placing a burden on public finances so that the French government can help the most vulnerable businesses as a priority and channel its financing into the healthcare system, healthcare workers and emergency services.” Instead, they retained employees on the existing payroll while stores have been shuttered. Production shifted to making masks and gowns for frontline workers instead of Haute Couture and handbags. They also made a sizeable financial donation to emergency funds in France to help with efforts related to fighting COVID-19. With a minimal at best e-com presence, dedicated exclusively to beauty, it can only be assumed that this time has not been financially beneficial for the House.
If these increases on classic styles like the 11.12, 2.55, Boy, Gabrielle, and CHANEL 19 bags help the company maintain the sound financial footing that allows it to pay its artisans competitive wages and invest in the preservation and advancement of the industry, I think it’s an increase worth having. If it allows the House to continue to source only the finest materials and employ artisans and techniques of the highest calibre, I think it’s an increase worth having.
A CHANEL bag, or really any piece from the House, is crafted according to the highest standards. Utilizing traditional techniques where artisans craft pieces by hand, combined with cutting edge technology, a piece from CHANEL is not simply a bag, a dress, or a brooch, but rather a piece of art. And needless to say, I’m happy to pay a premium for a beautiful piece of art.
To take an intimate and detailed look at a CHANEL Haute Couture collection, click {here}.
