Gucci sells a $1,290 umbrella that can't be used in the rain
Umbrellas are often used in the pouring rain, but what would you do with a $1,000 umbrella that isn't even waterproof? This is the question being asked about the adidas x Gucci “sun umbrella.”
The product, which is listed on the Gucci website as retailing for $1,290 or P67,534.72 as of current exchange rates, is described as featuring Gucci's distinctive interlocking G and Adidas's three white stripes and trefoil print. It is made in Italy and has a G-shaped handle made from birch wood.
However, the most distinctive feature of the umbrella that netizens quickly latched onto is the disclaimer that the sun umbrella “is not waterproof and is meant for sun protection or decorative use.”
As reported by the Guardian, the product is already being pilloried on Chinese social media site Weibo, with a user saying the umbrella is “a very big but useless fashion statement.” On Twitter, a user has claimed that he would rather be a victim of a “low level ponzi scheme” rather than have the Gucci umbrella.
Imagine buying a $1600 umbrella as a status symbol, discovering it doesn't stop rain, then finding out it was never intended to work in the first place
-- Nitin Raval (@nitinraval7) May 19, 2022
I'd rather get publicly swindled out of $1600 in a low level ponzi scheme than be seen holding a gucci umbrella
😂 pic.twitter.com/sotapVeUZ5
The furor comes after Balenciaga faced some online backlash over its Paris sneakers (), whose limited edition Full Destroyed version was being sold for $1,850 or P96,665, according to current exchange rates.
Photo source: Balenciaga
This isn't the first time that the world of high fashion has sold an item at exorbitant prices when it can be bought for cheap. Back in February of this year, LikeMindedObjects, an American brand, was made fun of by netizens after being featured on the Vogue Runway Instagram account for its products upcycled from discarded T-shirts.
Some comments pointed out how the products resembled products sold in the Philippines and other disadvantaged countries, except at a higher price point and without recognizing the work done by the disadvantaged workers of countries like the Philippines.
Rags2Riches, a local brand popular for making upcycled products from discarded T-shirts and materials since 2007, had to release a statement about the affair after the name of the brand was compared to LikeMindedObjects.
Rags2Riches founder Reese Lansangan explained that while the frustration with LikeMindedObjects was understandable, it was also important to engage “more advocates and possible partners.”
Meanwhile, check out other common items from disadvantaged countries that have been upcycled and marked-up by Western brands in the gallery below.
