A prominent luxury fashion influencer has sparked a significant backlash after sharing a retrospective of her expensive designer handbag collection with her hundreds of thousands of followers.
The Milestone Post That Caused Outrage
Shiran Melamed, who operates online as @styledbyshishi, took to her Instagram Stories over the weekend to celebrate being ranked among the top one percent of creators on the shopping application LTK. With over 344,000 followers, the influencer used the occasion to reflect on her evolution from a private collector to a major online personality.
"This all began as an anonymous page sharing Hermès unboxings nearly 10 years ago," Melamed wrote. "Just a creative outlet, just for fun." She added that it grew into a career she is "incredibly proud of," allowing her to be a stay-at-home mother to four children while building her own enterprise.
A Walk Through a Pricy Collection
Accompanying her message were multiple images charting her acquisitions. It started with the bag that "started it all" in 2013: an Hermès Evelyne crossbody in the brand's signature orange, which currently has a resale value exceeding $4,000.
The visual timeline progressed to a 2015 photo featuring a Birkin 35, reselling for over $18,000, and her first Kelly Pochette purchased in 2016. She also shared snaps from a major 2016 Hermès shopping spree in Paris, where she bought several bags and designer shoes worth thousands.
These coveted items, often with starting prices above $10,000, are produced in limited numbers and are typically offered only to clients with a substantial purchase history with the French luxury house.
Online Reaction and Accusations of Being 'Repulsive'
While some followers may have enjoyed the nostalgia, the display provoked fury in online forums. Users on the NYC Influencer Snark subreddit were particularly scathing, labelling the posts as "tacky" and "repulsive."
"This is so repulsive," one commenter stated. Another wrote, "Tacky and deranged." Criticisms also touched on the juxtaposition of such ostentatious wealth against broader societal issues, with one user remarking, "People are starving, Kim," quoting a famous line from the Kardashians' reality show.
Others attacked her style directly, with a comment reading, "She’s cringey - literally has zero style." A further critique suggested, "Influencers made Hermès embarrassing."
On her main Instagram feed, Melamed regularly posts designer unboxing videos and styling tips, showcasing a preference not only for Hermès but also for other high-end brands like Chanel, Missoni, and Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery.
