$1000 Bag

Yesterday I watched a short where a designer explained why his bag was worth $1,000.

He took us through the process of ideation and designing,

then all the intricacies of cutting and sewing,

the price of each metal trinket added,

and the many many hours spent putting it all together.

Here's the thing:

Although I can recognise the significant time and money investment into making the bag,

it's value is not determined by those things.

When I put $1,000 on the table, I am not paying for the time put it, nor am I paying for the cutting and sewing, and it may even surprise you to know that I am not paying for the small metal trinkets.

In other words, effort input ≠ value.

Just because it took you a long time to make it doesn't mean it's worth a lot.

What I'm really paying for is the bag's value TO ME.

What does it say about my identity when I wear it?

Who may I associate with by owning this bag?

What communities do I become apart of?

My point is this:

A good quality garment is a foundational expectation, so DO put in time and effort into crafting something worth selling.

But it's more of a nice-to-know than anything.

It's only when you can leave the mindset of input = value that you can start providing some that's really worth $1,000.

Here to help,

Elijah