STYLE SPOTLIGHT: CHINA TARIFF WAR
I know I sound like a broken record but 2025 has been one for the books! The ultimate shocker - TARIFFS. I'm not talking just about the standard economical effect of tariffs learned in Advanced Economics. No! I'm talking about tariffs and the war on luxury. China has come out swinging (as they should) with the tariffs imposed and this has caused a VIRAL reaction. Read on to find out how!
Okay! So since the Tariff were announced on China it has been all out war (figuratively of course). I mean from TitToks to news stories it reads like a juicy story line from General Hospital! Now, when it was announced that China would have some of the highest tariffs, China basically reminded the world that we rely on them for like 95% of what the world consumes/ purchases comes from China.
The industry that was hit the most was the Luxury market. Now, after the Dior scandal last year consumers have had their interest piqued by what really goes on in terms of supply chain with the luxury houses. With the viral videos showing the factories and the price hikes it has sent everyone - especially Gen Z into a meltdown!
First and foremost I do think there is a bigger issue of why as global consumers we automatically attribute Chinese labor as subpar and European labor has superior. When in reality as long as the material is quality and the hands are trained there should be no difference in what we think is superior.
Personally, I think it’s very rude the constant narrative that somehow Chinese hands are subpar to European hands because it keeps reinforcing that any ethnicity no matter how good will always be substandard. Yes, I do like Asian culture and that comes from my upbringing. My brother and I took Mandarin when we were young (the only Gutierrezs at the class), did Kumon, got Kimchi weekly from a family friend, and my brother and I enjoyed anime as well as K-Dramas. Plus we saw last year with Dior, Chinese labor is used (not all the time but enough to be sanctioned).
I also think this recent war on luxury stems from more social discord. You hear it in the rumblings- people are sick of being told to “don’t you wish you were me” vibe with a price tag that is unattainable yet being told it is very reasonable. You see it with the Gen Zs love of “dupes” and them posting what they have found on Amazon or Alibaba long before the Tariff Wars. It’s almost like the thrill of the hunt and a virtual flip off of the system.
Now, as a lover of the houses it was a definitely a shocking moment. As I’ve stated before I love Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton has been the house that has embraced different cultures and championed them historically. My maternal great-grandmother had the hat box and a nice trove of Louis Vuitton. Her reasoning was “the only color they (Louis Vuitton) see is Green. I will not buy another House.” Hearing that from my great grandmother stuck with me. Personally, that’s why I will always support Louis Vuitton. It is also why I prefer vintage designers over the new wave because of the history and significance. I would look at different options for Chanel because the only era I’m obsessed with is the 1980s Chanel when it still used 24k hardware and Prada after the few race rows they have had over the years (even though I do love Prada shoes).
2025 has been a unique year so far. I definitely didn’t see this China Tariff War scandal happening. It is saddening and sick that they sell ethics but employ unethical practices. I still love my designer pieces and maybe if there is a bag I truly feel exemplifies the history of each House I would purchase.
Ultimately, this taught me that you should truly love what you buy and be more diligent about the knowing how our goods are made. That is sobering.
