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Olsen Twins' $39K Backpack Sells Out—Quickly

Apparently ridiculously expensive luxury items perform well in a recession

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 6, 2011 9:13 AM CDT

(Newser) – The solution to America's endless economic woes is apparently the Olsen twins' $39,000 backpack. In a Women's Wear Daily interview from last week just getting some attention, Ashley explains why she and her sister thought extreme luxury might sell: "During our last economic crisis in the US, the only thing that went up was Hermès." And their plan worked: The alligator backpack, part of The Row handbag collection, "was the first thing that sold off the shelf," Ashley says. Gawker has a picture, and snarks that it is "made exclusively from the skin of the mysterious fourth Olsen sister, who lives in a cage in their basement."

Actresses Mary-Kate Olsen, left, and Ashley Olsen attends the J Mendel 2012 Spring collection during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.
Actresses Mary-Kate Olsen, left, and Ashley Olsen attends the J Mendel 2012 Spring collection during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.   (AP Photo/Donald Traill)
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen attend the Dw by Kanye West Ready to Wear Spring / Summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at Lycee Henri IV on October 1, 2011 in Paris, France.
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen attend the Dw by Kanye West Ready to Wear Spring / Summer 2012 show during Paris Fashion Week at Lycee Henri IV on October 1, 2011 in Paris, France.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
ladyrosedeky
Jul 2, 2012 12:12 PM CDT
I have a question, who is so lame brained that they would spend $17,000 nonetheless $39,000 for a back pack? I could care less what it is made from, it's a friggin back pack for heavens sake. However, if they did do to the animals what was claimed here, it's just wrong. Even when I went sharking and caught them, we'd stun them then cut their heads w/a off quickly before we started cleaining them for their meat, teeth, and pins if they were a pin back. Heavens! At least let them be dead first. How cruel are these billionaire brats. I know they worked for their  money when they were kids but that doesn't entitle them to toruture anything in order to make a profit.
snarlzbarkly
Jul 2, 2012 2:55 AM CDT
Wow, aren't you people the wizards of smart? Can any of you pronounce the word E C O N O M Y? Or know how the capitalistic system works?  Where did you go to school, Cuba or N. Korea?  Do you have any idea how many people made money along the way in the production of this bag? How about the people that procured the animals, processed the hides, hauled them to the production facility, provided the trucks and fuel and insurance to haul them, sewed the hides together to make the bag, provided the machines/thread/ material to sew the bags together, maintained the facilities the work was done in and on and on I could go. Do you think all these people work for the Olsens for free? - you fricken idiots. If you don't think these people made any money to support themselves and/or their families along the way you need to get your heads out of your a$$es - you look foolish. I am sick and tired of idiots like you pissing and moaning about the rich when they are  some of the hardest working folks in this country and one of the main cogs in our economy. When they don't spend their money, it slows down for all of us. 
Watching4theMODS
Oct 6, 2011 1:15 PM CDT
And why do we not want to increase the tax rates on the rich when you see things like this. When the vast majority of Americans are going through a rough time. Some without food, tens of millions without healthcare, millions losing their homes. This is wrong and the Republicans want this to continue because they are bought lock stock and barrel by the rich.

 
entertainment • celebrity • Mary-Kate Olsen • fashion designer • fashion label • Ashley Olsen • what recession? • designer fashion • The Row • Olsen twins • Mary Kate Olsen • Luxury Living

 
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