In this insightful clip from Blackout, Rashad Bilal, Ian Dunlap, dive deep into the hidden world of luxury manufacturing and the shocking markups behind your favorite brands. With Chinese manufacturers pulling back the curtain on TikTok, we’re seeing firsthand how major brands like Lululemon, Fila, Under Armour, and even Hermès actually source their products—often from the very same factories in China.

The panel discusses how TikTok creators are exposing the reality that the same yoga pants, handbags, and even home goods we buy at sky-high retail prices can be found direct from the factory for a fraction of the cost. This conversation goes further, addressing how savvy Chinese marketing is influencing Western consumer perceptions and the explosive impact that transparency (and social media) is having on brand loyalty.

Rashad and Ian break down the illusion of luxury—how branding, not quality, justifies those jaw-dropping prices. They debate the true value of items like Birkin bags and Rolex watches, and question what makes “luxury” worth it today. The hosts also explore the changing landscape for consumers, pointing out ways ordinary people are now importing high-quality products directly from China, sidestepping traditional retail markups, and what this shift could mean for global commerce.

Is it finally time to rethink what makes a brand “premium”? Will the transparency wave change what and how we buy? Tune in for these answers and more as the Blackout Med team peels back the layers of global luxury manufacturing, marketing, and consumer mindset.

Share your thoughts below! Have you ever sourced products directly from China? Do you think luxury branding still holds value in the age of transparency?

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