Hermès to open new leather factory in France - amid claims Birkin's are made in China amid US tariff changes
French fashion house Hermès has announced the planned opening of a new leather workshop in Normandy despite the threat of US tariffs.
The announcement comes amid Chinese factories mocking President Donald Trump 's sweeping tariffs by claiming that popular fashion labels produce their garments in China for a fraction of the price.
Hermès isn't exempt, with accounts claiming that the brand's coveted Birkin bag is made not in France but in China, and shoppers can buy them directly from China at knockdown prices.
While viewers are cautioned against buying from Chinese vendors, likely producing counterfeit 'dupes', some have fallen for the bait. For instance, Taylor Reaves from the UK asked her followers whether the 'Birkin' she purchased on TikTok shop was genuine.
Elsewhere, TikTok user Jed from London shared a clip of herself online shopping with the caption, 'When you see me sporting a Birkin with my Louis Vuitton trainers this summer, mind your business.'
Hermès has nonetheless continued to show its dedication to investing in its production capacity in France. The Normandy location, set to open in 2028, is under development alongside three other sites in France.
The brand wrote: 'Hermès is deeply committed to building lasting relationships with its local partners and is preparing for its arrival in Colombelles with the help of the Caen-la-Mer urban community, Normandie Aménagement, and the Colombelles town.'
'Since 2010, Hermès has opened thirteen leather workshops in France. The Maroquinerie de Colombelles will be the house's 27th leather goods workshop, all of which are in France.
'Hermès continues to strengthen its role as a socially responsible company, creating long-term, high-quality jobs and reaffirming its willingness to contribute to regional development.'
MailOnline has contacted Hermès for comment.
It comes amid concerns that the luxury industry will take a huge hit in the trade war between the US and China, and perhaps unlike Hermès, Louis Vuitton is looking to boost its manufacturing in the US to cushion the blow of Donald Trump's tariffs.
Boss Bernard Arnault said in January that he was 'seriously considering' adding to the French luxury goods giant's existing facilities across the Atlantic, which includes a Louis Vuitton workshop in Texas and two in California.
Asked about bulking up its US presence earlier this month, chief financial officer Cecile Cabanis said: 'We will see at what pace and how much.'
The firm, whose brands include Moet, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy, confirmed fears of a luxury slowdown as it posted a slump in sales for the first three months of the year.
Arnault – who attended Trump's inauguration – had hoped rich Americans splashing out on luxury goods would offset a slowdown in demand in China.
But LVMH shares have fallen eight per cent since the US President announced a barrage of global tariffs – fuelling fears of an economic slowdown. Sales fell three per cent to £17.5 billion over its first quarter.
Meanwhile, experts have warned that the social media campaigns claiming designer goods are made in China appear to be a 'calculated attempt to undermine President Trump's tariff policy on China'.
Alex Goldenberg, senior advisor at the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University, told Bloomberg that factories are 'leveraging TikTok to promote Chinese manufacturing as cheaper, more desirable, and accessible - even in defiance of trade restrictions.'
'These posts are much more confrontational and mocking of the US, rather than showing it as a threat,' echoed Tom Harper, a lecturer in Chinese international relations at the University of East London.
It is unclear how ordering directly from China would allow consumers to avoid paying tariffs, especially since the waiver that exempts small parcels being shipped directly to American homes from duties is being removed on May 2.
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