The story of a Filipina teenager’s first “luxury bag” in Singapore opened up talks about luxury and privilege on social media.
The teenager named Zoe Gabriel was previously ridiculed on TikTok for describing her first Charles and Keith bag as “luxury.”
Zoe, through her TikTok account with username “Zohtaco.” posted two videos where she enthusiastically showed herself getting and sporting her first Charles and Keith tote bag last weekend.
Her father gave it to her as a gift. In one of the videos, which racked up to nine million views, she proudly wrote: “Thank you dad.”
@zohtacothank you dad 🥹♬ Glitch – Just audios
Some online users, however, mocked Zoe for it. They disagreed with her perception that Charles & Keith is a luxury bag.
Zoe later responded to one of these comments. She expressed while holding back tears how her family is not that privileged enough to purchase from such brands.
This video garnered more than a million views on the video-sharing service.
“Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth. To you, an $80 bag may not be a luxury, but for me and my family it is a lot,” Zoe said in the video.
“And I’m so grateful that my dad is able to get me one,” she added.
@zohtaco Replying to @cressy ♬ original sound – zoe 🦋
Charles and Keith, stylized as Charles & Keith, is a Singaporean fast-fashion luxury brand that is known for its footwear and bags.
It is partly owned by Moët Hennessy – Louis Vuitton (LVMH), the parent company of couture fashion house Louis Vuitton.
Talks on privilege and luxury
Zoe’s story resonated with many people on social media.
Some of them also shared the brands that they considered “luxury” because they could not afford them on a regular basis.
“My heart ached for her. I understand her like growing up I also didn’t have a lot. Charles and Keith is my first luxury bag brand that I have until now, I got it from a birthday present that was given to my best friend,” one Twitter user said.
“Charles & Keith, H&M, Uniqlo are all luxury brands because the price was so much more expensive than I could afford. No offense, but everyone’s standards are different from the others,” another tweeted.
“I hate people who are born rich and privileged yet still act this way. Even now I still think Starbucks is a luxury,” a Twitter user shared.
Several online users also called on others to stop shaming people for the things that make them happy.
“Remember, your standard is not same with other people’s standard! Your happiness is not same with other people’s happiness! Don’t judge someone’s choice just because it’s not your choice!” one Twitter user said.
Some Filipinos, meanwhile, said that receiving a gift from a father is already both a luxury and a privilege.
“It’s a gift from her father. That’s more than luxury. Give the kid a break,” a Facebook user said.
Another gift
Zoe also made headlines for her story on her first bag. It soon reached Charles & Keith in Singapore.
She posted an update on Instagram on January 12 that the company invited her and her father for an exclusive tour and lunch at its headquarters.
In the post, Zoe said that she and her father got the opportunity to sit down with Keith Wong, one of the founders.
The other founder is his brother Charles Wong.
“We had such an amazing opportunity to visit @charleskeithofficial ‘s headquarters, and learn more about the behind-the-scenes!” Zoe said.
“It was so fun, everybody was so nice and accommodating. We had the chance to sit down with keith and get to know their company a little better,” she added.
“Thank you to everybody who has shown their support!!! Without you, we would never be here,” Zoe further said.
American model Wisdom Kaye, also a fashion model on TikTok, also expressed willingness to give Zoe luxury bags.
He asked his followers to help him contact Zoe.
Twitter what’s her @ !!! I’ve got a luxury bag(s) with her name on it !! https://t.co/v9Mr2QPPGJ
— Wisdom Kaye (@modsiwW) January 11, 2023
As of writing, Wisdom Kaye has not yet given an update on whether he managed to reached out to Zoe.