Francesca Eastwood (Clint Eastwoods daughter) and her boyfriend Tyler Shields have received a great deal of controversy over their recent art collaboration in which they destroy a $100,000 Hermes Handbag with a chainsaw and gasoline. The pictures (below) came with the following message:

"Destruction is a beautiful version of freedom… Would you want this bag? Are you sad to see me destroy it?"

The pictures and post have received harsh criticism, negative reviews, and even death threats, but there was one comment that stood out in particular to me:

"First of all, until this morning I had no idea what a Birkin bag was. Sound alike a bag of pickles. 2nd of all, no one one is addressing the elephant on the forum. Who cares that they cut and burned a bag? Seriously. Why is no asking why a bag is "worth" $100,000? No one has even flinched that a bag costs $100K "

As a fashionista, my first response was to audibly gasp and shout "how dare they?!"  but after reading this comment, I had to stop and think. There are many arguments to be made for buying expensive designer items from almost every standpoint, including ecological, economical, and peer perception. But when does a designer item's price stop making sense, and cross the line into marketing ploy, or logo obsession?

Why are people so upset over the destruction of this bag?

Personally, I think they're upset because it represents the destruction of the American dream. Whether it's $100,000 purses, sports cars, summer homes, we've all dreamed of a better, richer, life for ourselves, and absurdly priced or not, the purse represents the American Dream.

I really want to hear my readers opinion on this topic. I want to know what justifications you use for items outside of your budget. Is it the fabric? the logo? the look?  Would you pay $100,000 for a purse if you had the money?