Wirkin on a Deal

Anna Yue
Apr 3
3 min read

By Lauren Law and Teresa Sun April 2, 2025

Luxury no longer only belongs to the elite; in a world where customers see style as a statement and affordability as king, dupes are redefining the rules, and they have taken the market by storm. From an influencer’s closet to the average wardrobe, dupes—products resembling luxury items, sold at lower prices—are more than just a trend. They have become a cultural phenomenon, transforming how people view style and status.

The authentic high-end Hermès Birkin bag, for example, commands prices ranging between a low of $10,000 and a high of $500,000 for rare editions. In contrast, Walmart’s “Wirkin” bag, a Birkin dupe sold under generic names and manufactured by third-party sellers such as X Xiang and Daseincosts, costs between $32 to $100. The stark price difference allows consumers to enjoy the look and feel of luxury without the hefty price tag, making the bags so popular that they sold out on Walmart’s website this February.

The Wirkin received viral attention on social media platforms, especially TikTok, where influencers and customers praised its resemblance to the luxury Birkin bag at an affordable price. Still, dupes often accommodate for their lower prices by using lower-quality materials, such as the Wirkin which is made with faux leather rather than the luxury calfskin leather Birkin bags are made with.

“Obviously the quality of a dupe will not be as good as a high-end product, but for products that are really out of price range, like jewelry, buying the cheaper option may be worth it. This affects the exclusivity of luxury items, since nowadays dupes just look so similar to the original with such a large cost difference,” Junior Shloka Chawla said.

With a focus on instant gratification, dupes align with the values of younger shoppers who prioritize style over qualityprice. In fact, a 2022 EU Intellectual Property Office survey reports that 37% of respondents between the ages of 15 and 24 bought at least one counterfeit product in the previous year.

Generally, dupes steer clear of violating intellectual property laws. However, if a dupe closely mirrors the design to the point of confusing consumers about its origin, it could cross into infringement. Although the Wirkin bag does not feature Hermès’s trademarks, it closely resembles the design of the Birkin, raising concerns about trade dress infringement. Additionally, Hermès holds design patents for certain features of the Birkin, meaning that unauthorized replication could lead to patent infringement claims. Forbes reported that given Hermès’s history of enforcing its intellectual property rights, Walmart may potentially face legal risks.

In light of the copyright infringement surrounding dupes, in early 2023, Benefit Cosmetics sued e.l.f. Cosmetics, claiming that its “Lash ‘N Roll” mascara copied the design and branding of Benefit’s “Roller Lash.” The case went to trial in August 2024; in December, Judge Richard Seeborg ruled in favor of e.l.f. Cosmetics, stating there was no evidence of consumer confusion. The judge noted that product similarities alone do not lead to infringement.

“Knock-off products are tempting because they look like the real thing, but at a lower cost. I have bought dupe bags and accessories, but many do not hold up as well as the originals and overall, they can be hit or miss,” Sophomore Lasya Madineni said.

The rise of dupes can be attributed to a combination of affordability, social media influence, trend accessibility and consumer perception of value. Navigating the fine line between inspiration and infringement, dupes continue to thrive in the industry as a product of their ability to satisfy the demand of consumers with constantly adapting fashion and accessory trends.

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