Kirsten Dunst for Miu Miu

It sounds like such a silly question – “Why is designer stuff expensive?”. Because it’s designer, duh! And yet, it’s been gnawing at me for years so I decided to get to the bottom of it.

  • The cost of innovation
    Just like pharmaceutical companies develop new drugs, designers invest a lot of time, money and personal expertise into developing new looks. When I used to work for Calvin Klein, I was stunned by how much thought goes into every detail – from fabric patterns, which are hand-pasted together, carefully scanned sent off to the factory, to endless fittings to make sure each piece fits just right. Talent and labor both cost money, which drives up the final price. Companies specializing in designer-inspired looks, however, don’t have those expenses so they can afford to sell at a lower price.

    But isn’t it illegal to use someone else’s intellectual property? If it’s an exact replica, then yes. Changing a few minor details keeps it legal while still preserving the awesome look for the fraction of the price. Some of my favorite designer-inspired brands are Steve Madden and Nine West.
  • Exclusivity
    In fashion, the law of supply and demand is often controlled by exclusivity. Everybody wants something unique, something no one else has. One way to ensure this is by raising the price – pay $500 for a Chanel bag and you’ll be the only one with it on the whole block!
  • Prestige
    When buying designer clothing and accessories, we pay for the brand. Companies spend millions of dollars a year on advertising to create that instantly-recognizable ‘brand’ that will hopefully be perceived as cool and desirable. By choosing a $1,000 Prada purse over a similar no-name bag, we buy the prestige of owning Prada. It all comes down to: “Is the difference in price worth it for me?”
  • Quality of the materials
    It is true that designer clothing and accessories are usually made using higher quality materials – but  not always the case. Polyester, faux fur and pleather are widely used in the world of haute, although it’s usually done in an innovative way to justify the scary price tag. Some argue that designer pieces have a longer lifespan, but this also depends on the item. Your $300 Italian leather loafers might still be with you on the way to pick up your first social security check, but a $3000 Issey Miyaki shredded paper dress probably won’t even live to see your next birthday.
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  • Better fit / comfort
    Higher-end pieces will fit better on your body. Designers do numerous fittings during production and generally have a better understanding of human body and proportions,     compared to cheaper brands.

    A few words about designer shoes – contrary to popular belief, they are not always comfortable. It’s the design and the prestige factor, not comfort, that is not their selling point. So yes, $900 Louboutins can destroy your feet just as good as a $20 pair from Payless. C’est la vie.
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  • And last but not least… Because they can!
    Charge that much, that is. Designer stuff is expensive simply because the consumer will pay.
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    In the end, the item is worth whatever it’s worth to you. And if it looks good – why should it matter how little or how much you paid? Never apologize for what you spend on things that make you happy! ;)
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    Deerlings, tell me: What is the most you’ve ever spent on an article of clothing?