One of my friends just got 3 Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” today in New York City. I’m very suprised that people sell this $15 bag for over $200 on internet or eBay ($395 is the highest price on eBay on July 18, 2007).
Think about the original motivation of the bag. The designer wants people to use reuseable shopping bags instead of plastic ones. That’s good. However, will you use a $200($395?) bag to carry your banana, fish and eggs? I don’t think so. I’d rather use a cheap environmentally friendly bag and write “I care about the earth” or anything I want on it. That’s even cooler.
Rocketboom has a news report on this bag. Check it out.
Here are some detail photos of my friend’s “New York version” bag.
What happened in Taiwan reminds me the “Henrico County $50 iBook sale” in summer 2005.
我朋友在紐約買了三個”我不是塑膠袋”購物包，我才知道這包在全球有多瘋狂，這又再度證明了一句話 – “限量是殘酷的”。
看到台灣新聞報導說排隊搶購發生暴動(下圖)，讓我想起兩年前在美國維吉尼亞州亨瑞克郡(Henrico County)發生的50美元iBook G3搶購事件。
The $15 “I’m NOT a Plastic Bag” mob scene in Taiwan, 2007.
The $50 iBook mob scene in Henrico County, USA, 2005.
this is just another fashion frenzy here in New York.
Interestingly enough, the bulk of people wrapped around NYC stores for hours(in the pouring rain), were of Asian descent…Could someone tell me what allure is on this “I am not a plastic bag” except you can auction it off on ebay afterwards?
Comment by radical chic on July 19th, 2007 @ 11:53
In fact, it’s quite fun to go there with groups of crazy people to buy 3 bags.
I went there and got mine. It’s pity that I have to work so that I can’t stay for another round to buy another 3 bags. My friend did and happily left with her 6 bags.
Comment by Jack on July 19th, 2007 @ 23:21
Oh, yeah, by the way.
The photo you show here is not the one they sold in NYC.
This time they sell “US version” whose font color is blue.
Comment by Jack on July 19th, 2007 @ 23:22
To Radical Chic and Jack,
I read today’s newspaper. There is a picture of people waiting outside the store. Most of them are Asian.
According to the paper, one of the reasons people buy this bag is because the designer is very famous. Somebody told the paper, “She’s big in Asia.” Another reason is her bags are usually $1,000 or so.
Some celebrities, like Keira Knightley, have been seen with the bag.
That can explain why this $15 bag makes people go crazy.
So I say, a famous thing at low price that can bring you enormous profit and satisfaction, isn’t it alluring?
Thanks Jack for correcting me. I’m not into bags. I didn’t know the NY version is blue font. If I have the picture, I’ll replace this one.
Comment by stanley on July 20th, 2007 @ 2:25
It doesn’t really matter where it’s made, or what it’s made out of… The point is, people who like this bag will want to use it and that in itself can reduce the consumption of plastic bags.
The goal wasn’t to diminish child labor or cheap labor in China.
If people like this bag and decide to use it as an alternative to plastic shopping bags, then the message and goal is effective.
People who want this bag know its intended purpose and ultimately it’s a personal choice to stop using plastic or not. The bag itself doesn’t make a difference, it’s the attitude people adopt.
The message is boldly imprinted on the bag so it’s promoting awareness and a 2nd look at things.
Like if you bring it to a supermarket where everyone is packing their stuff in plastic, they might think twice next time.
—-BTW, don’t be fooled by the price drop of these bags on ebay, there are tons of fakes out there, over half of them are sold from China now. Beware of the lack of pictures, new sellers with little or no feedback!!!
Comment by Kat on August 26th, 2007 @ 13:27
The bag is cute, but to pay $300+ for it… I don’t think so. Paying that much for a fashion accessory is not eco-friendly any way you look at it.
Comment by BG on August 28th, 2007 @ 13:09
Thanks Kat and BG for your comments.
I’m pretty curious about how those people who paid that amount of money think about their bags right now. The next day of the sale, I saw quite a few people using the bag everywhere. But I don’t see it anymore. Has the bag been forgotten already?
Anyway, at least this bag reminded people about reusable bags again. That’s a good point of it.
Comment by stanley on September 9th, 2007 @ 23:00
I think it’s too expensive to buy a bag that cost u $ 400 at ebay.
And u know in Indonesia u can buy it for about $ 30.
so better u buy in Indonesia even it’s not an original.
Comment by Melz on September 30th, 2007 @ 0:30
Hi Melz,
Do people in Indonesia sell the original bags? If they do, how much do they sell for?
Comment by stanley on October 1st, 2007 @ 12:33
bernie mac…
Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts !…
Trackback by bernie mac on February 12th, 2008 @ 18:10
Jack…
Great post. I have added you to my digg bookmark…
Trackback by Jack on February 16th, 2008 @ 23:03
Good post. You make some great points that most people do not fully understand.
“Think about the original motivation of the bag. The designer wants people to use reuseable shopping bags instead of plastic ones. That’s good. However, will you use a $200($395?) bag to carry your banana, fish and eggs? I don’t think so. I’d rather use a cheap environmentally friendly bag and write “I care about the earth” or anything I want on it. That’s even cooler.”
I like how you explained that. Very helpful. Thanks.
Comment by chiz on February 27th, 2008 @ 11:03