Where Are Authentic Luxury Goods Produced?
Unveiling the Origins
Have you ever wondered where in the world your designer bag was born into the fashion life cycle? In this article, you’ll get a glimpse into the array of production locations your luxury goods are produced in and the reasons why they’re manufactured there.
When you imagine a designer handbag, the vision dancing in your head is likely a combination of pristine textiles (think quality leathers, supple suedes and rich velvets), gold and silver-plated hardware, meticulous stitching and concise craftsmanship that only the finest of luxury fashion houses can offer. And when you envision the landscape that luxury handbag is created in, you probably picture a factory in the south of France or the winding hills of Italy. You assume your coveted designer handbag is carefully constructed from local raw materials at the hands of an experienced French or Italian artisan. However, this isn’t always the case.
Designer Handbag Manufacturing
When breaking down the manufacturing locations for designer handbags, it’s essential to understand that the production of luxury goods is a global affair. While Italy has always been considered the epicenter of high-quality leather goods and craftsmanship, many luxury brands have actively moved much of their production out of Italy.
While most luxury brands originated in European countries such as France and Italy, many luxury consumers are not familiar with the scope of production locations. Designer brands like Prada and its sister brand Miu Miu have been transparent about this production transition, stating that all designer brands will eventually move production outside of their home countries, as production costs are cheaper, and quality is uncompromised.
The Most Common Production Locations
As of 2025, Prada has production facilities in a range of countries, such as Italy, Spain, Romania, Turkey, India and China, while its sister brand Miu Miu is manufactured in Italy, Romania, Turkey, India and China. With that in mind, if you’re in the market for a new Prada bag and are keen on the brand’s Italian heritage, you may desire a “Made in Italy” label inside your luxury good as a testament to the item’s quality and hefty price tag—only to be met with a “Made in China” label instead. However, without this interior origin label, you would never be able to tell the difference between a Prada produced in Italy and a Prada produced in China, as there's no distinction in quality or craftsmanship.
How Expertise Shapes Luxury Products
Another leading luxury brand, Hermès, is also known for outsourcing production to various countries. Primarily producing their goods in France, Hermès also manufactures in countries such as China, India, Scotland, Italy, England, Japan, Switzerland, Niger, Vietnam, Austria, Nepal, Great Britain, Indonesia, Ecuador, Spain and the United States.
Unlike Prada, whose product lines are manufactured across all factory locations, Hermès outsources certain product lines to specific countries who possess expertise in those products. For example, India is known for their exquisite bead work, therefore Hermès outsources the production of silk scarves embellished with beads to their factories in India.
Hermès buffalo horn jewelry is another good example of the brand outsourcing for cultural expertise. Vietnam is a leading importer and exporter of buffalo horn products, as water buffalo play a vital role in Vietnamese agriculture and tradition and are used widely by Vietnamese people for many purposes. One of which is using their horns to make jewelry—a traditional Vietnamese craft that has been passed down over generations.
Where to Find Authentic Luxury Goods
With that said, depending on the luxury brand and their scope of production locations, you may find an obscure origin tag and have some concerns—but don’t be alarmed! The country chosen to produce an item can depend on factors such as production costs or the specific cultural expertise needed to craft your item.
Whether you’re on the hunt for a Prada bag or Hermès silk scarf, shop pre-loved and 100% authentic guaranteed at What Goes Around Comes Around.
