What Is Your Understanding of The Word 'Designer'?

[Deactivated] on 04/06/2018 - 21:29
Last edited 05/06/2018 - 08:52 by 1 other user

Hello,

My eldest kids bought their mother a so-called "designer" nappy bag for Mother's Day.

They claimed: "Our designer nappy bags look just as stylish on the catwalk as they do at the playgroup."

It is a nice bag and I thought it was very reasonably priced for a "designer" label. I have recently found out that the bag is actually designed in Australia by a group of mums.

Would you say the use of the word "designer" on their website and social media is misleading?

P.S: The Mrs loves the bag but only because she doesn't know how much we paid for it.

Poll Options

  • 5
    They shouldn't be using the term "designer". It's misleading.
  • 44
    Not misleading. Just a puffery.
Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2018 - 21:42

    I'm surprised people are saying it's not misleading. So anyone can claim that their product is 'designer' and charge a higher price for it?!

    • Savas on 04/06/2018 - 21:47
      +4

      what do you think designer means?

      • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2018 - 21:58
        +1

        They claimed :

        "Our designer nappy bags look just as stylish on the catwalk as they do at the playgroup."

        I guess I assumed it has been in some fashion shows and judged by people who knows more about fashion than I do…

        • Savas on 04/06/2018 - 22:03

          not seeing that. I am assuming they use them in their playgroup though

      • MrFrugalSpend on 04/06/2018 - 22:49
        +3

        I think "designer" means designed by a (preferably acclaimed) fashion designer.
        Its a bit like saying "architect designed home" is by a qualified architect rather than a builder's draftsperson or mass produced etc.

        Having said that… its largely used as puffery these days so, as long as everyone is happy with it, no big deal

        • Almost Banned on 04/06/2018 - 23:10
          +4

          But 'architect' is a recognised degree with a recognised professional body.
          Is 'designer' the same?
          Surely these mums designed the bag - hence are 'designers'?

        • Glenningvalley on 05/06/2018 - 07:25

          @blaircam: It's the same reason architects arn't allowed to advertise - undermines the profession -
          "architectural designed home" it a great way to dodge the use of the word Architect - ripe in the industry

    • zonra on 04/06/2018 - 21:53
      +4

      To be fair, regarding the price bit, anyone can charge whatever price they want for things.
      Whether the stuff will sell is a whole different issue.

    • The Wololo Wombat on 04/06/2018 - 21:55
      +1

      Fashion is very emotional - it's about how you 'feel' when you wear it.

      Designer is not a 'legal' definition, but used to justify a higher price for clothing as it 'feel' more exclusive, niche and expensive. Perhaps they do cost more to produce, but that doesn't mean anything haha.

      Oh course, even LOWES is technically designer lol.

    • wantitforless on 05/06/2018 - 08:33

      everything is designed by someone. Who's to say is they are an award winner designer. Anyone can say that. You can award yourself as a designer.

      Plenty of dodgy words used in marketing …

      natural - what does that even mean ? Arsenic & Uranium are natural

      organic- does that mean it's been fertilised with sewerage in China ?

      world class - compared to what ?

      & the list goes on

    • HighAndDry on 05/06/2018 - 10:47

      So long as they "designed" it, which every product that's not the raw material had to have been, yes.

      I mean, you even say:

      designed in Australia by a group of mums.

      There you go - they designed the bag, so they're "designers". The bag was designed by them, so it's a "designer" bag. God, I'm having that phenomenon where you read/type/say a word to much and it doesn't make sense anymore. Designer, designer, designer…..

  • zonra on 04/06/2018 - 21:51
    +5

    Personally my take on 'Designer' product is the same as my take on 'Luxury' product.
    I.e. mere meaningless promotional adjectives that any man/woman and their dog can slap onto their products.

    If we were to go by your logic, i.e. saying it's misleading to use the word 'Designer', you'd need to first clearly define it.
    For example, who would you say need to design these products for them to be called 'Designer' products?
    One particular person? Certain groups? Certain companies?
    And where would we find this list of 'Credible Designers' so that we can classify our products correctly?

    FWIW, in no way do I think they use it correctly, but like most things in life, especially in adverts, I take it with half a kilo of salt.

    • wantitforless on 06/06/2018 - 11:09

      designer doesn't equal luxury

      You find things described as designer at

      best & less

      target

      big w

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 04/06/2018 - 21:56

    Good items can be designed outside of Paris and Milan.
    A lot of the stuff on ETSY is probably better made and more practical than the big modern labels and more unique. Designer just sounds good to a certain demographic of people.

  • Savas on 04/06/2018 - 21:57
    +5

    are you implying you would pay more if it is advertised as "designer" because thats just stupid. you should pay if you like the design and it sounds like you did?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2018 - 22:05

      It is a backpack. They advertised it as a nappy bag and a designer one at that. Kids paid almost a $150 for it.

      Edit: not leather but good quality faux leather.

      • Savas on 04/06/2018 - 22:18
        -1

        I think that is the kid's own stupidity. but your kids must be rich then

        • HighAndDry on 05/06/2018 - 10:45
          +2

          Agreed but they're kids so I actually do have some sympathy. Good chance for a life-lesson here for them Batboy - don't over-pay for what boils down to bragging rights.

  • altomic on 04/06/2018 - 23:31
    +2

    everything man made has a designer.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/06/2018 - 23:36

    The holes in jeans makes them designer.

  • chumlee on 05/06/2018 - 07:25

    Some designer things can be life saving

    https://www.whimn.com.au/love/self/how-my-designer-vagina-sa…

  • outlander on 05/06/2018 - 09:02
    +1

    If it wasn't created by this guy or someone who looks like him, I don't consider it 'designer'

    • [Deactivated] on 05/06/2018 - 18:14

      😂

  • bobbified on 05/06/2018 - 09:14
    +1

    Would you say the use of the word "designer" on their website and social media is misleading?

    The word "designer" is just marketing spin to jack the price up. There's nothing that governs the use of that every-day word. "New and Improved" is in a similar boat.

  • HighAndDry on 05/06/2018 - 10:44
    +1

    I'm sorry, what?

    "Designer" just means there was someone who designed it. Presumably it only excludes generically generated mass-produced 'designs', but honestly I don't think the word means anything at all.

  • ShannonN on 05/06/2018 - 11:13

    Designer means designed by someone, However the general inference is that it is thought to be exclusive. That is: only made in this configuration and materials by this one company. Be made of better materials or to a better finish than most general similar functioning products.

    Hats off to the kids for being caring loving people and wanting to show mum she's loved

  • Baysew on 05/06/2018 - 11:42

    The Mrs loves the bag but only because she doesn't know how much we paid for it.

    No reason for anyone to know how much a present cost. Just move on. Everyone seems happy, why spoil it.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/08/2018 - 16:25

    Is curly-haired pride and joy on his pins yet? Superhero-level, toilet-trained, Bat-toddler?

    If not, tell Wiki to strut proudly down the hallway/driveway with her designer nappy bag, Batbaby in tow. The twins should never come to anticipate anything less than that.

    Anything else, while I'm here?

    -
    FYI, in addition to his coveted (“Handcrafted excellence, exquisite design” - Anna Wintour), T-shirt line, scotty is a website designer and OzBargain is therefore his designer website.

    Early logo designs probably did involve a kangaroo with a pouchful of coupons and an emu with a deal-haggling deathstare, but scotty likely already looking just like Karl Lagerfeld at the point he chose to go with similar to iconic current logo. (That should please outlander, a.k.a, The Cuddly Scamp.)

    Also the new blue colour of the Post Comment button. Clearly another designer touch.

    Nappy Bag Haute Couture may well be a thing, Batboy, but you would probably need to ask a Kardashian…
    To then enjoy the reply, with characteristic vocal fry. Hmmm, there's a read..

    Just an evolution of The Valley Girl. Frank Zappa's daughter, Moon Unit, and Emilia Clarke, will better explain.

    :-)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join