Indie pop singer Role Model has sent luxury fashion circles into a frenzy after declaring his Hermès Birkin 'ugly' and pure 'old money' energy, live on Capital Buzz. The Rhode Island-born artist, known to his fans for leaning into self-deprecating humour rather than flexing wealth, admitted he is actively trying to offload the bag on the resale market and insisted he never wanted it in the first place.
The confession has fashion commentators picking sides fast. For a bag with waiting lists, artisan hand stitching, and a reputation built on manufactured scarcity, being dismissed as naff by one of Gen Z's most streetwear-coded stars is not a small thing.
This criticism highlights the ongoing tension between the authenticity associated with indie pop and the corporate status symbol that the Birkin bag has represented since the 1980s.
How Meme Culture 'Manifested' a £20,000 Bag
Role Model explained that the Birkin essentially willed itself into his life through repetition online. He joked about owning one enough times that the internet eventually made it true, calling it proof you can 'speak it into existence'.
It is a telling snapshot of how manifestation culture and ironic flexing now shape luxury consumption among younger buyers, who often chase a bit online before they chase the object itself.
@britishvogue #RoleModel is no stranger to the Firkin.
♬ original sound - British Vogue
That brings up the real question behind the story: Has meme culture trivialised what was once the ultimate status symbol, reducing a hand-crafted investment piece to little more than a punchline with a resale value?
Why Role Model Is Selling His Hermès Birkin
He called the bag 'old money', comparing it to something an 'old Beverly Hills grandmother' would carry, and said it does not fit his personal style at all. It is quiet luxury pitted against relaxed streetwear, heritage craftsmanship pitted against a wardrobe built on ease rather than exclusivity.
This perspective contrasts sharply with the broader hip-hop and pop culture landscape, which has spent the past two decades viewing the Birkin bag as a symbol of status and luxury. Cardi B, for example, has incorporated the bag into her brand by frequently mentioning it in her song 'Up' and showcasing her collection online, emphasising quantity as a form of prestige.
@capitalbuzz “I think they’re ugly” 😭 #rolemodel #chucktimely #saintlaurentcowboy #birkin #tuckerpillsbury
♬ original sound - Capital Buzz
Role Model rejecting the same bag as try hard and outdated highlights a significant divide in how newer stars perceive wealth compared to traditionalists, who are pushing back strongly.
Birkins have appreciated at roughly 14.2 percent annually since 1980, significantly outperforming both the S&P 500 and gold, according to the widely cited Baghunter study. Purists argue that labeling the bag as 'ugly' is more a sign of financial illiteracy than a valid fashion critique.
Does the Birkin Have a Gen Z Problem?
Fans have already pointed out that Role Model's comments could hand him a resale premium on platforms like Vestiaire Collective, since viral attention tends to drive up demand rather than kill it. Calling the bag ugly on a podcast might end up making him more money than carrying it ever would.
What this really reveals is a shift in how legacy luxury brands earn credibility with younger buyers. Prestige built purely on scarcity and old money signalling is losing ground to internet-native irony, and stars like Role Model are proving that authenticity, not exclusivity, is now the louder flex.
