In this episode of Awkward Etiquette with Kiki Astor, we dive into the true value of luxury goods—especially designer handbags—amid a shifting global economy, social media overexposure, and growing transparency about where and how these so-called “heritage pieces” are actually made. In the age of the Wirkin, or Walmart Birkin, and in the wake of the Chinese revealing exactly how many luxury goods get produced in their factories rather than in chic Parisian ateliers, Kiki unpacks (pun very much intended) the history of handbags as status symbols, from old money necessity to nouveau riche billboard, and dissects the old money perspective on luxury: discreet, enduring, and never desperate. With juicy anecdotes from her recent travels through Morocco, Turkey, and China, Kiki shares firsthand observations of the proliferation of fake designer bags, the depressing state of luxury duty-free shops, and the disillusioning reality of modern production—even at historic maisons like Hermès and Chanel. Topics we cover: The erosion of luxury's mystique in the age of TikTok unboxings. Why handbag resale value isn’t the flex people think it is. How discerning old money treats luxury goods (hint: if it has a TikTok hashtag, it’s already over). Spotting a dupe without losing your mind (or your manners). Whether you're a bag lover, a social climber, or simply etiquette-curious, this episode is your guide to navigating the luxury landscape with wit, wisdom, and perspective.

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