How Young Is Too Young to Own Designer? 11 Fashion Moms Sound Off
This week, Kim Kardashian West revealed on her Instagram Stories that she bought Louis Vuitton Speedy Mini handbags for all the baby girls in the Kardashian-Jenner clan (her four nieces and two daughters, North, 5, and Chicago, 11 months). “I got these for all of the baby girls in the fam for Xmas from Japan,” she wrote, sharing a photo of multicolored styles from the label’s famous Takashi Murakami collaboration.
It didn’t take long for the Internet to react—and considering the monogrammed bags in question are not only from a luxury brand, but rare vintage styles, their high price tag only further fueled the fire. Many deemed the purchase extravagant and unnecessary: “Yeah, because a baby needs a LV bag,” one Twitter user lamented; “That’s what we need, more entitled children,” wrote another. Fair: For the majority, it takes weeks, if not months, or years, to save up for that big designer purchase.
Others did not take issue with the idea, especially if one has the means. “If I could, I would, too,” wrote one user, while another replied, “She earned the money, it’s hers to spend as she pleases.” This is also true: One can spend their money as they please. Every family is different, and it seems a tired notion (though we all do it, intentionally or not) to scrutinize how parents raise their children or use their incomes to do so.
Intrigued by the conversation, Vogue asked a group of working fashion moms for their opinion on how young is too young to dive into labels, particularly given the growing market for pint-size fashion goods. Celebrity children like Cardi B’s daughter, Kulture, or DJ Khaled’s son, Asahd, are always receiving extravagant gifts from fashion houses; some of Seoul Fashion Week’s biggest street style stars are toddlers; and brands like Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana have drastically ramped up their childrenswear lines (not to mention the existence of targeted labels like Bonpoint).
Below, 11 mothers weigh in on the topic.
“If the parents can afford it and it makes them happy, why not!” — Kathy Lo, founder of Two Bridges
“It was my impression that wearing designer was out for grown-ups as well as children! I am finding that women I know are less attracted to big labels and tend to value special items with a story. That said, my daughter sometimes has rebellious taste. I remember how I went through a phase of wanting to wear only Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica, and my mother would let me save up my babysitting money to buy it. It’s all a matter of degree—no child should be spending thousands on a bag or dress that they’ll grow out of or get covered in paint.” — Batsheva Hay, designer
“In no world would I dream of buying my 5-year-old daughter a designer anything. Soon enough, she’ll grow up and her too-young friends will start doing status-symbol bags and clothes, and we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but why would I introduce the concept of designer to a kid when Disney Store Rapunzel costumes are her gold standard? I’m trying to teach her that people and actions are more important than things. All of this said, there are a few designer-y things of mine—a little LV purse, a skirt I got in Paris that will never fit me again—that I hold onto for when she’s (much) older.” — Michelle Ruiz, contributing editor at Vogue
“I bought a great deal of cashmere items in Bonpoint when I expected my first, and chose neutral colors so I could keep it for the second one. They’re actually pieces I want to save and give them, when they get kids. I choose good quality as I like the idea of reusing clothes and being more sustainable. I buy designer outerwear and shoes, where I know the quality is good and last more then a month, and also some soft cashmere knits to wear in the cold. I haven’t bought many designer pieces for them as they constantly get dirty with food or by playing outside.” — Pernille Teisbaek, cofounder of Social Zoo
“My baby boy Walter is regularly wearing a Versace tracksuit or a Polo Ralph Lauren bear jumper. In my defense: All his designer pieces are presents. Awesome presents, don’t get me wrong. I intend to keep most of them, even when Walter is grown out of them. They are just too cute. When I go shopping for baby clothes . . . I’m not focused on designer. It’s more colors and shapes. Or I try to find clothes that look as grown-up as possible, such as polo shirts and corduroy pants. But saying that, I remember too well how fantastic the Baby Burberry pieces are. When you give outgrown stuff to friends and family, everybody is more excited about a designer piece.” — Veronika Heilbrunner, fashion editor and street style star
“My daughter is currently 2 years old and trashes almost everything she puts on within one to two hours. I have, however, caved and bought her the occasional designer dress, onesie, or top on sale because of the amazing comfort of quality of the fabric. I have to say that Bonpoint is so sturdy, stain-resistant, beautiful, and fits so well that I’d rather buy one perfect shirt for her than three cheaper ones that wear out immediately, and probably add up to the same price over a few months. I do have a few basic rules: I never go above a certain price. And designer shoes are off-limits, because her feet grow at the speed of light and she usually never fits into them at the right moment.” — Catherine Piercy, beauty director at Vogue
“How do you define luxury these days? You could argue that Off-White Nikes or toddler Yeezys could be defined as luxury for a new generation. In that regard, [my child] Myles definitely has some luxury products. Beyond that, I’m not opposed to him having some pieces, as long as they are kind of future-proof. Meaning, a shirt he will outgrow in a season may not be the smartest investment. But a hat or scarf from a designer we love could potentially last a few years.” — Rana Batyske, founder of Mothergood
“I love fashion, but there’s something I don’t find particularly appropriate about a child decked out in designer labels. I waited a long time for my first designer items, and I think, for the most part, my children should have to do the same. This teaches you how to save up for something, and then to appreciate it when you get it, as well as to take care of it. That said, I’m not a fan of fast fashion for kids either. I try to buy very well made, classic items from small brands I love, like Pixie Lily in Charleston, South Carolina. I did, however, cave once and purchase matching Gucci swimsuits on sale from Bergdorf Goodman for my girls, because it was the cutest print I’d ever seen. I learned my lesson though because, after a season in the highly chlorinated pool water at their swim classes, the print quickly faded. #momfail.” — Alexandra Macon, contributing editor at Vogue
“Would I allow my kid to wear designer? Yeah. But would I buy it for them? Absolutely not! I’ve been given some awesome designer gifts for my kids—through work or gifts from people. But I cannot justify spending tons of money on clothes that they will grow out of in seconds. Kids grow out of things quickly, so you have to be smart about what you purchase for them. My kids dress nice, but they are still kids, so their clothing reflects their age. Nothing is fancy, but it’s super cute.” — Rajni Jacques, fashion director at Teen Vogue and Allure
“It’s hard to slap yourself into reality, because in your head, your baby deserves it—and you deserve it! I carried him/her for nine months, went through labor, then the aftermath of breastfeeding and finding your identity again. You’re ready to proceed to pay crazy prices for cute stuff. I would not by luxury items for my child, simply because it goes against my ethics. They’re too small to understand and appreciate it. The life span of children’s clothing is too short to make sense for such a splurge. I have received designer hand-me-downs—that’s super cool, just like passing down any other baby clothes. Think about the planet and your baby’s future. Recycling is king.” — Claudia Cifu, stylist
“My 3-year-old daughter doesn’t own any luxury items except for a LV Mini bag that I’m passing down to her—the only luxury item I owned as a child—and I’m not planning on buying her luxury items anytime soon. The reason is simple: It would be a waste. I don’t think she needs, appreciates, or wants it. When I think designer or luxury, the longevity aspect is very important, because designer clothing is usually an investment. I think in terms of cost per wear to justify the extra expense, but kids grow up so fast and do so much in their clothes that their wardrobe virtually needs constant renewal . . . . I also want her to be free to live in her clothes. I can’t imagine being relaxed while watching her eating beets in her $300 sweater.” — Priscilla Debar, founder and CEO of Faubourg
