Teen Gains Fashion Brand's Attention After Being Criticized For Calling An $80 Purse A 'Luxury' Item

Jun 02, 2023 by apost team

People have different perspectives on the value of money. While someone may find an item expensive, another person may consider it a fair or cheap price. However, that people have different perspectives on issues doesn’t mean their opinions can’t coexist. 

A 17-year-old Singaporean social media influencer Zoe Gabriel found herself in the heat of a social media debate on Jan. 8, 2023, when she shared a video on TikTok. 

The viral video showed Gabriel visiting a Charles & Keith store to receive a gift her dad bought for her. Afterward, it showed her excitement as she unboxed the gift to reveal the black bag. In the post’s caption, Gabriel thanked her dad for the gift, while an overlay text in the video read, “my first luxury bag.” 

Research shows that the cost of Gabriel’s Charles & Keith bag ranges between $60 to $80. Hence, although the teenager appreciated the gift from her dad and saw the bag as a luxury item, some people who commented on the video felt otherwise. 

Rather than celebrating with Gabriel, these people trolled her for calling an $80 bag a luxury item. Sadly, Gabriel received much hate from some commenters, so much so that she felt the need to defend herself from them. After bravely standing up to the trolls, Gabriel received much love and support from many other social media users. 

The support for her was so great that it got the attention of the Charles & Keith founders, whose subsequent action was heartwarming. Continue reading for more details about Gabriel’s response to her online haters and what happened afterward. 

On Jan. 8, 2023, Gabriel shared another video on TikTok responding to trolls slamming her for describing her $80 Charles & Keith bag as a luxury item. In her response, she narrated the difficulties she and her family faced growing up. Responding to a particular troll, the emotional Gabriel said their comment spoke volumes of how ignorant they seemed because of their wealth. She emphasized: 

“To you, an $80 bag may not be a luxury. For me and my family, it is a lot, and I'm so grateful that my dad was able to get me one. He worked so hard for that money.” 

She concluded by adding that she couldn’t believe she got so much hate over a bag she was excited to have and captioned her video: 

“Replying to @cressy I am so happy and grateful for you, that you can consider Charles and Keith not a luxury. also btw if you google it, lots of sources do classify them as a luxury brand. so.”

Gabriel’s response soon went viral, with thousands of people worldwide supporting and defending her. Some persons consoled her, while others tagged the Charles & Keith TikTok account, asking them to do something. 

Surprisingly, the fashion brand responded as its founders, Charles and Keith Wong, invited Gabriel for lunch. She also toured the company's headquarters with her dad and documented the experience on social media. 

Most surprisingly, the fashion brand gifted Gabriel customized bags and vouchers and made her a model for their brand. On March 4, 2023, Charles & Keith shared a photo of Gabriel modeling one of its designs. The brand also revealed she is now their community ambassador. Since then, Gabriel’s life has turned around for the better, as she is now a shining example of why people should stay humble. 

apost.com

What are your thoughts on Zoe Gabriel’s story? What words do you have for those who mocked her for tagging her gifted bag as a luxury item? Are you pleased for her after her story had a happy ending? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family members.