Budget-conscious buyers looking for luxury alternatives have flocked to Walmart’s Birkin bag look-alike, nicknamed the “Wirkin.”

The leather handbag available on Walmart’s website is a more affordable alternative to French luxury goods maker Hermès’ Birkin bag. Many Wirkins appear to have sold out after buzz on social media.

Luxury brands like Hermès have remained in the public eye, but their prices put them out of reach for most people. Nonetheless, bargain-hungry shoppers love indulging — making cheaper, high-quality duplicates appealing.

Fashion influencers also play into the hype of these look-alikes, which the rise of online shopping and cheap shipping prices, even from halfway across the world, have made more accessible than ever.

Hermès doesn’t sell its bag online, but Maison de Luxe, a Los Angeles-based company that sells brand new and pre-owned Hermès bags, lists Birkin bags between US$26,500 and $399,999. A “standard model” Birkin, which takes up to 40 hours to make by hand by a single artisan, can start at around $7,200 according to SACLÀB, a Munich-based marketplace.

Would-be Birkin buyers filed a lawsuit in March alleging that to buy a Birkin bag they first needed to purchase other Hermes accessories and items, effectively adding to the cost to snag one of the high-profile handbags.

On the flip side, the Walmart Birkin that has gained traction sells for as little as $78, depending on size and color. Kamugo, the maker of one Wirkin,says the purse is made with genuine cowhide leather but uses synthetic leather inside of the bag.

Kamugo isn’t the only brand to take a shot at Birkin dupes — BESTSPR, YMTQ and Judy are a few other brands listed on Walmart’s site that sell similar totes.

“The Walmart Birkin bag is called a Wirkin and it’s for the Wirkin class,” a TikTok user wrote.

Walmart did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Missing out on consumers

The Birkin handbag is an example of a luxury item with a reputation for exclusivity. Many celebrities — Beyoncé, Cardi B and the Kardashian family are all devotees — sing about and post photos of their Birkin collections. A Birkin bag made of crocodile skin sold for nearly $390,000 at auction during the pandemic. The tote was originally designed with space for baby bottles for British actress Jane Birkin in 1984, who needed a spacious bag as a young mother, according to Hermes’ website.

Hermès is one of the top luxury goods companies by sales, which improved by 32 per cent in 2022 — boosted by new stores in New York and Austin, Texas, according to a Deloitte report. The company’s leather goods and saddlery products, primarily led by the Birkin bag, accounted for 42.8 per cent of the company’s revenue in 2022, Deloitte reported.

“…Hermes is laughing in yalls face making you jump through hoops to give them tens of thousands of dollars?? no!!” wrote a user on X, who added that the Walmart bag looks good as well.

High-end handbags are among the most frequently purchased secondhand fashion categories. Walmart also sells pre-owned Birkin bags online, which run for thousands of dollars, among a number of sites selling used Birkins and other luxury items.

Consulting giant McKinsey & Co. recommends that luxury fashion executives recognize the importance of a large swath of their customer base: those who buy at least one luxury item a year and spend between $3,000 and $10,000 annually.

These consumers account for half of luxury brands’ revenue. Only about 30 per cent of these buyers make decisions based on logos, according to McKinsey & Co.

Walmart and Kamugo may have inadvertently tapped into that consumer base by providing another version of the handbag.

“Walmart has given them entry, like ‘here you go, here it is.’ It’s a similar shape, this one is more functional for your cross-body moms and you are allowed to do this…,” reality TV star Bethenny Frankel posted on TikTok.

‘Dupe’ culture takes over

Hermès isn’t the only brand having its products duplicated — Stanley water bottles, Skims bodysuits and Lululemon leggings are among pricey brands facing competition from affordable lookalikes.

Hermès did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

“Dupes,” which are less expensive alternatives to household name brands without tacking on fake logos (meaning the item isn’t considered counterfeit, despite marked similarities to pricier originals), have racked up more attention online in recent years.

Steven Moy, chief client officer at luxury consultant G & Co., said dupes are inevitable. It’s reminiscent of how automakers Toyota and Honda received pushback for their luxury models, Lexus and Acura.

Some consumers have waited years for a Birkin bag, he said. Moy added that wealthy consumers, who are loyal to luxury brands like Hermès, won’t stop shopping because of these duplicates.

“The true ultra luxury, in that case, won’t be affected in the short run,” Moy said.

Some brands, like Lululemon, have hit back at dupes. The athleisure brand hosted a “dupe swap” in Los Angeles, promising its black Align High Rise Pant 25” in exchange for a duplicate pair.

Social media users have questioned whether buying a look-alike makes much sense, with one TikTok user saying “wouldn’t buy a fake one because I don’t even care to have a real one.”

The dupe manufacturers often operate without much transparency,and many brands don’t have a clear store origin. Kamugo, for example, doesn’t appear to have a website.

Moy says accessories like the Wirkin and fast-fashion companies make luxury accessible, especially for younger crowds who may eventually shop at luxury brands.

“There’s no right or wrong answer. It depends on what audience you want to serve,” Moy said. “Do they want to reach those audiences or do you want to keep your core audience?”

Hannah White booked a flight in a desperate attempt to say goodbye to her mother before her expected passing. In October, White’s mother had been in critical condition because of undiagnosed pneumonia that rapidly progressed into septic shock. Doctors notified White’s family that her mother, Kathleen Nelson, had little time left but couldn’t provide a more specific timeline based on her condition. In a race against the clock, White booked a flight to the Bismarck Municipal Airport in North Dakota. However, because of the city’s small size and limited flight options, she could not depart until the following day. “I immediately started panicking, already having waited a day to see her, we weren’t sure if she was going to make it,” White said. On one of the most challenging days of White’s life, she found peace in the generosity and determination of several Delta Air Lines employees who went to great lengths to ensure that she was able to spend another precious 24 hours with her mom. White’s story, which she posted on TikTok in December, has gone viral, attracting more than 10 million views and more than 27,000 comments from people sharing similar experiences and offering their sympathy. Going the extra mile White boarded her scheduled Delta flight in Dallas, and as she anxiously awaited takeoff, the pilot notified the passengers of a delay because of technical issues. With only an hour-long layover before her connecting flight in Minneapolis, she knew she would not make it in time. White shared a close bond with her mother, and she is grateful for the supportive community she has found on social media after posting her story. (Courtesy Hannah White via CNN Newsource)
She eventually built up the courage to share her situation with one of the flight attendants, Eva Ortiz, in hopes there might be a solution. Ortiz explained that Delta’s automatic rebooking system had already secured the next available flight option — which would not depart until the following morning. “I obviously wasn’t upset with her, but as she explained it to me, I immediately started crying,” White said. “I just felt anxious thinking about my mom being alone … and (Ortiz) shed a few tears with me, apologized and gave me some tissues.” More than an hour later, Ortiz came back with an unexpected message. She had informed the pilot, Captain Keith Napolitano, of White’s situation. Napolitano personally called the Delta dispatchers to see if they could possibly hold White’s connecting flight. Mercifully, they did. “The stars don’t always align where I have the immediate ability to affect the outcome, but this was one of those cases where I felt it was possible,” Napolitano told CNN Travel. Napolitano was just one of the crew members involved in the process. Since none of the passengers on White’s Minneapolis transfer had tight connections that evening, the team, which included Ortiz, the connecting flight’s pilot and several dispatchers, worked together to ensure White could be reunited with her mom as quickly as possible. “I was overwhelmed with joy because I had accepted that I wasn’t going to see my mom until the following day,” White said. Another crew member travelling as a passenger on the flight even suggested White take his seat at the front of the plane so she could exit faster. Others sitting nearby pulled up airport maps to help White find the fastest route to her gate. A priceless gift Once the plane landed, White was quickly escorted off first. Overcome with emotion, she sprinted across the airport, tears streaming down her face. “As I was running to my gate, I was thinking about the fact that (my mom) would be running across the country for me, too,” White said. “She would run over broken glass to be there for me and my brother.” When White boarded her connecting flight, she was welcomed by the smiling faces of the new Delta crew and passengers all eager to assist her on her journey back to her mom. White and the rest of her family members made it to the hospital, and they had another day to spend with her mother before she passed. The extra time they shared, made possible by the quick planning of the Delta crew, became a priceless gift she will always cherish. Hannah White, pictured here with her mother Kathleen Nelson in 2001, was able to visit her mother one last time thanks to the kindness of strangers. (Courtesy Hannah White via CNN Newsource) “I don’t think any of them really know the gratitude that I have for them for giving me some extra time with my mom or just being nice to me on one of the worst days of my life,” she said. White and her mother shared an incredibly close bond, a connection that White will continue to hold onto now that she’s gone. “My mom was the love of my life,” said White. “I know everyone says that about their mother, but she was truly the epitome of grace, class, kindness, patience and unconditional love.” Beyond her gratitude for the Delta staff, she also acknowledged appreciation for the kind strangers who offered their support through gestures such as caring smiles or words of encouragement. “I feel eternally grateful to them,” she said. “It wasn’t one person who did one huge thing, it was a lot of people doing a really nice thing.” ‘Looking for the goodness in others’ After losing her mother, White wanted to believe that there was some purpose in her family’s grief. But when she first took the time to post the TikTok, she didn’t realize how much comfort it would bring others navigating the death of a loved one. “I hope this reminds us all to look for the goodness in others,” White said. Though stories about air travel often make headlines for causing frustrations, Napolitano hopes White’s story reminds people there are many more good things happening in airports each day. But seeing how acts of kindness turn out is unusual, he said. “It’s so rare that we ever get to see the results or hear how it ended,” Napolitano said. “In my opinion, it’s humbling and beautiful to see the end result of this.”

Some people love to wash their car, and for others, it’s their most hated chore. It’s a necessity for car owners, so no matter where you fall on the love-hate spectrum, you want a car wash that’s going to give your car a deep clean that lasts. Automatic car washes are at almost any gas…

  When you take your car to the car wash, there are multiple add-ons available, and one common choice is spray-on wax. It may seem like it doesn’t make a difference, but there are some important benefits. And these benefits go beyond how shiny your will car looks. What Are the Benefits of Waxing Your…

Even when you are lucky enough to start with an empty room, it can be overwhelming to design an interior that you can enjoy for years to come. Following some basic interior design principles, you can transform your space into a relaxing room you will be comfortable and happy with. Decide what your focal point will be and build out from there.  For best results, keep proportion and scale in mind as you decorate as well as these tips!

 Deciding on Your Focal Point
Do you have a magnificent bay window with an incredible view?  Is there an ornate mantle that is the reason you fell in love with your home? Or is there something you absolutely MUST HAVE in the room? Situate your furniture around your chosen focal point to create balance and equilibrium. If your room does not already have an existing focal point, create one with oversized art or add an accent point like a free-standing fireplace, they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Symmetrically balance the room evenly so that both sides mirror one another.  This will help your chosen focal point stand out all the more! Use matching accent tables to flank your sofa or use different pieces of furniture to create a copacetic visual impact, like two similar armchairs to balance a sofa.
Repetition for Rhythm
Rhythm creates a flow and helps direct the eye to the differing visual elements in your room. Just as the notes of a favorite song repeat to create the rhythm, repetition in decor will create a rhythm throughout a home. Establish visual interests with a rhythm throughout your space by placing similar colours or patterns at intervals and repeat in artwork, cushions or area rugs.

Perfect Proportion and Suitable Scaling
Who doesn’t love a large, overstuffed chair? But if your room is on the smaller size it may look out of place and make your room seem even smaller than it is. Keep proportion in perspective. Proportion is the ratio between a piece of furniture and the size of a room. Scale is the size of a piece of furniture in relation to the other pieces of furniture in the room. A super large chair will overpower an apartment of loft size sofa or loveseat and create a sense of unbalance in the room.

Have your room humming harmoniously
Creating harmony will enhance how much you will continue to love your finished. Pull the room with a subdued colour palette for a pleasing, harmonious vibe.   together for a pleasing, harmonious look with a subdued color palette. You can also use a single colour for elements that vary in size and shape. Check out our blog on Doing White on White Right! for more tips!

What is the focal point in your room?  What is your best tip to find harmony and balance through your home?