Walmart has given customers a chance to experience the finer things in life by offering a Hermès Birkin Bag dupe—but fashion experts warn it could be bad for business.
With prices ranging from just $78 to $100, it’s no surprise that Walmart’s affordable alternative has sold out in nearly every color online. This budget-friendly option is a mere fraction of the cost of the iconic Hermès Birkin, which starts at around $10,000 for a leather version and can soar to over $400,000 for a diamond Himalayan Birkin sold at Sotheby’s, a global auction house.
A stock image of a gray leather Birkin Hermes bag. Shoppers are delighted to have the option to purchase a copy of the iconic luxury item.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
The Birkin has long been a global symbol of success and exclusivity, with celebrities like the Kardashians and Victoria Beckham known to own multiple versions of this accessory.
However, industry experts disagree, warning of the broader implications for the fashion world.
Kris Jenner with two Hermes Birkin handbags worth almost £15,000 each on April 24, 2013, in London. Walmart customers can buy a knockoff version for no more than $100.
Will/GC Images
Diluting the Brand’s Prestige
Michael Mack, a Las Vegas luxury reseller known as the Birkin matchmaker, shared his concerns with Newsweek: “Walmart‘s Birkin replica might offer a similar look at a low price, but as someone who stands firmly behind authenticity, I see it as part of a larger problem.
“Imitation bags like this blur the lines and can ultimately undermine the craftsmanship and exclusivity that make iconic designs like the Birkin so special.”
The “Walmart Birkin” is loved by fashion-obsessed TikTok users who are on a budget. But fashion experts disapprove.
Walmart
Jennifer Johnson, founder of True Fashionistas, a lifestyle resale store in Florida, echoed this sentiment. She said: “While it does allow for people who cannot afford (or do not want to spend that kind of money) the ability to have luxury or exclusive brands, it poses a great risk to the authentic brands. It dilutes the brand in a way that reduces the value after time.
“After all, luxury brands have historically been priced the way they are so that they are exclusive. They have an air of prestige and rarity about them, and having dupes flood the market is eroding that exclusivity.”
‘A Double-Edged Sword’
New York-based Ben Schreiber, the chief marketing officer at Latico Leathers, offered a different perspective, describing the knockoff as “fantastic.”
He told Newsweek: “Dupes like the Birkin acknowledge the cultural importance of luxury products; if the Birkin were not significant, no one would bother creating a knockoff. It acts as a lighthearted reminder of how high fashion seeps into everyday attire, often with a note of irony.”
Dupes in the fashion industry are a “double-edged sword,” said Schreiber.
He said: “On the one hand, they create excitement and increase the allure of a high-end look. Conversely, they force luxury goods to justify their worth because, let’s be honest, Walmart isn’t making the claim that its products are ‘hand-stitched by a Parisian artisan.’ They make luxury brands focus more on workmanship and storytelling, which is beneficial for anyone who appreciates genuine artistry.”
Walmart Faces Potential Financial Risks
Marketed under names like “KAMUGO Genuine Leather Handbags Purse for Women,” Walmart’s leather tote bag features striking similarities to the Hermès Birkin, including a gold lock, studded bottom, and, most notably, its iconic shape.
Newsweek spoke to Rania Sedhom, the managing partner at Sedhom Law Group.
She said: “The Hermès Birkin cannot be duplicated without legal implications. The Birkin bag is protected in multiple ways—the logo is a registered trademark; the shape of the bag is a registered trademark and the leathers utilized by Hermes have trade dress protections. Hermes holds various design patents as well.
“Therefore, no one can copy the shape of the Hermès Birkin or the texture and feel of Hermès leathers without breaking the law. Walmart is, therefore, putting itself at risk by making these bags available for purchase and it can face resultantly steep financial penalties.”
Newsweek has reached out to Walmart and Hermès via email for comment.
An Internet Sensation
Described on Walmart’s website as having a “stylish and simple appearance, practical internal structure, and reasonable partition,” the bag has sparked widespread conversation among influencers and fashion enthusiasts.
Even TV personality Bethenny Frankel (@bethennyfrankel) weighed in on TikTok, calling the dupe “fascinating” and praising it for giving people the chance to join the Hermès hype “fair and square.”
So far, Frankel’s video posted on December 28 has gathered 5.2 million views and a mixture of comments. With some users stating they’d struggle to afford the Walmart one and others stating they refuse to buy expensive goods.
“I grew up (I’m 50) w/ millionaire parents and my pop always said, ‘We do not redistribute our wealth to borrow someone else’s name’ that stuck with me! Needless to say I’m too cheap to buy names,” said one user.
Another said: “I used to work in fashion design. I avoided the most common designer bags because there were so many knockoffs that they became boring. I get more compliments on my weird teddy bear bags!”
A third commenter wrote: “I saw online it’s real leather—an $80 leather bag designed functionally is a good value. Whether it’s supposed to emulate Birkens [sic] or not.”
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