The short answer is, yes, many of Balenciaga’s products are made in China. Balenciaga is, however, one of the few brands that are actively transparent in its country of origin. Products within the categories of womenswear, menswear, accessories, shoes and bags.
Products from other luxury fashion brands, e.g. Prada, are more concerned with their “Made in Italy” marketing than Balenciaga.
According to Business as of Fashion, Balenciaga is one of the fastest-growing brands among millennial shoppers. The generation born between 1980 and 1995 is accounting for more than a third of the global sales.
The group is soughing after affordable luxury brands such as Balenciaga.
Where is Balenciaga made?
The brand is producing its goods in several countries, for reasons as reported before on this Democratic Luxe.
Italy is e.g. the location for most of the categories, including menswear, womenswear and accessories. The demand for skilled workers is, although, higher than the supply, which leaves luxury brands with the choice to export their manufacturing.
Portugal is standing for many categories of Balenciaga’s manufacturing as well. Portugal is producing T-shirts, socks, coats and trousers. Portugal’s manufacturing of fashion is famous due to its high quality of output and flexible terms.
Japan is producing sunglasses and denim for Balenciaga. If you’ve explored other posts from us, you’ve might’ve seen that Prada also uses Japan for its sunglasses manufacturing.
France, also famous for being one of the countries that produce products of the highest luxury quality, especially within the perfume, fashion and jewelry verticals. That’s exactly the categories that are being produced for Balenciaga in France as well.
Some less known manufacturing countries are also included on Balenciaga’s website. Tunisia produces denim, Madagascar shirts and Slovenia face masks, shocking, yes, I know.
The good thing is, as stated, that Balenciaga actually shows transparency about this on their website. Many brands can learn from this practice, instead of deceiving customers.
How is Chinese Customer Reacting to “Made in China”
The ever-growing pride of China’s growing prosperity in China is undoubtful in effect. The wealth growth of the middle class in China has enabled the country to be the largest luxury market in the world.
And they are not only craving luxury, affordable luxury has been taken to a new level. The question is how Chinese customers are perceiving Balenciaga’s manufacturing of luxury goods in China?
The Hong Kong-Chinese newspaper South China Morning Post reported in 2018 that there are two camps (of course!) of customers in the news of Balenciaga’s Triple S shoes. Priced at $850 for a pair, some customers from China express pride, some disgust.
Several netizens on Weibo, one of the largest social media networks in China, expressed their confidence in Chinese manufacturing and the quality of luxury goods. Some welcome it warmly and says that the news will not affect their decision to buy goods from the brand.
Other discussions have complained that Balenciaga didn’t communicate that the shoes were produced in China from the start, but rather changed the labelling after customers question whether the shoes were made in China or in Italy. One customer email support answered that the shoes were, actually, made in China, not Italy.
This caused an outburst on Weibo making many customers disappointed that it wasn’t disclosed until people questioned the country of origin.
Summary
Balenciaga is indeed manufactured in China, at least to some part. As many brands today, Balenciaga is also manufacturing its luxury goods in many different countries. This depends on where the manufacturing is available. The brand seems to have learned a lesson regarding showing transparency in where the goods are made. Today, the brand is disclosing the country of origin on all products on the website, a quite rare practice for many luxury brands.