Like China, the Middle East’s vast spending power has been consistently attracting the attention of top fashion brands and compelling them to produce region-exclusive pieces.
These limited editions gain popularity during the festive season, such as during last year’s Eid Al Adha holidays when Ralph Lauren and Gucci released their own Dubai handbags. The renditions were reflective of contemporary Middle Eastern tastes in fashion – a lot of bling and an unapologetic affinity for all things that make one look young. We applaud these labels, because when they wanted to do something that would cater to the regional consumer’s ideal aesthetic, they did it right.
And then there’s the Longchamp Dubai bag which was released just last week – a plebeian looking canvas tote with prints of the Burj Khalifa and other clichés that stereotypically define the identity of the emirate. We were surprised a falcon wasn’t thrown in for good measure.
But honestly, who would buy it in Dubai? We feel that’s a legitimate and pertinent question to pose, since all that people look for in a handbag here are exotic skins – the harder to obtain and the more cruel to the animals concerned the more coveted it becomes in this part of the world.
Dubai and printed canvas, well, they just doesn’t mesh well together. Neither do canvas and luxury. Maybe they’re trying to be ironic like Jil Sander did with their AED 1,000 paper bag? Or are they trying to target the customers who buy cut-price nylon Pliages at end-of-season Chalhoub sales? We thought the whole point of it was to establish Longchamp’s luxury roots? So instead why did they come out with something that looks like it could be purchased from one of the many souvenir shops selling crystal Burj Al Arab figurines and plush camel toys around town? Now we’re confused.
Would you buy the Longchamp Dubai tote?
