When Pharrell Williams finally showcased his $1 million bag, we expected… not this! A commenter on Reddit asked, “Is the bag filled with $998,000?? That’s the only way it’s worth it…”
Honestly, we are all curious. But before we understand what is in the bag, let’s first look at the story behind it.
The renowned “Millionaire Speedy Bag” debuted alongside the musician-designer’s debut Louis Vuitton line in 2023. To be honest, the name doesn’t leave much room for speculation.
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The leather bag, entirely covered in Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram, is handcrafted and painted in a vibrant yellow color scheme. The shoulder strap, handles, and pendants are all adorned with chunky gold hardware that has real diamonds embedded in them. Maybe the price is starting to add up.
The creator, Williams, told GQ that he “reimagined it as a Canal Street counterfeiter might, in primary colors, but on leather so soft it seems to melt when you hold it in your arm.” However, the outlet noted that, unlike what you might find on Canal Street, you’re not going to be able to haggle with this one.
The article stated that the bag came with some exclusivity because, aside from its exorbitant price, you had to be a top-tier LV client to get your hands on it.
So, what is in this bag?
The short answer is — nothing. Not gold, not diamonds, or any other precious gems or the rest of the money. It’s just what it is—a custom-made Louis Vuitton bag.
According to Hypebeast, Charles Gross, a fashion TikToker known for his grand bag collection and knowledge of high-end designer items, attempted to excuse the bag’s high price by claiming that the “Millionaire Speedy Bag” is “the hardest to tan into different colors.”
“Companies state that it’s harder to achieve certain finishes, like shiny or matte, on crocodile leather. It’s also much more difficult to secure hides of the correct size that do not have defects, and it’s much harder to take care of in the long run,” he added.
Apparently, in addition to the leather’s precise composition, the material’s positioning among competitors plays a significant effect in its financial performance.
So, in the end, what do I think? I think this was a wonderful cash-grab marketing opportunity that was not only well-targeted to people who can afford it but also to those who can’t, so they can only hate or adore it from afar.
For instance, one other Reddit user commented, “This is giving the same idiotic status symbol energy that the balenciaga trash bag has. It says, look how much money I can spend on something so dumb, that’s just how rich I am …”
This only serves as a reminder that fashion will continue to exist, and luxury fashion will not stop stunning us with expensive materials that do not match their attractiveness. Examples of other “luxury” fashion items that have caused a stir in the past include the Hermès Birkin bag, which can cost anywhere from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars; the “Million Dollar” Sneakers; the Balenciaga “Trash Bag,” a $1,790 tote bag fashioned to resemble a trash bag, and so on.
Another commenter expressed, “No wonder LV made him the creative head. though I do like the new LV bag styles. I was so done with the check pattern.”
This also indicates that some people have a “glass-half-full” mindset and prefer to focus on the good aspects of the circumstance. A win for William.
But I find myself leaning toward the netizen who wrote, “The padlock on the Speedy is coated totally with diamonds and the hardware, zipper and chain are 18K gold. Add in the hand painted crocodile leather and the fact that this is meant to be a collector’s piece and only to be made in limited quantity, then it can add up. People have been talking about this bag, since Pharrell wore it to his first LV show. I’m not saying that it’s worth it or it’s a reasonable price, but luxury houses know their audience and so does Pharrell. There will always be a buyer.”
But would you honestly invest in this? What if you got it as a gift?
