I was so excited to get my very first luxury bag – now cruel trolls are taunting me because it only cost £85
A teenage TikTok user has hit back at cruel commenters who mocked her after she made a video proudly showing off a new handbag, which she described as a “luxury item”.
Zoe Gabriel, 17, who lives in Singapore, shared a clip on the platform showing her £85 Charles & Keith bag.
In her original video, Zoe can be seen excitedly unwrapping the black tote bag and showing off its design details.
Below the clip, which began with the words ‘my first luxury bag’, the 17-year-old wrote ‘thank you dad’ in a thank you note to her father who bought the bag from the Singaporean fashion brand.
Zoe Gabriel (pictured) was thrilled to show off her new bag in a TikTok video before cruel viewers mocked her for describing the £85 purchase as a ‘luxury’.
Her video went viral and received more than 6 million views and more than 2 million likes.
It also drew around 40,000 comments, some from viewers complimenting the purchase and some cruel comments mocking the 17-year-old for calling the bag a “luxury”.
The black tote with two handles retails for £85 on the brand’s UK website and $60 in Singapore.
For some commenters, the price tag wasn’t a luxury purchase, and they made their feelings clear below the video.
In a tearful response video, the 17-year-old addressed the cruel comments, explaining that the item was a big purchase for her and her family
Zoe’s black double-handled tote (pictured) retails for £85 on the brand’s UK website and $60 in Singapore
@zohtaco
In reply to @cressy, I’m so happy and grateful for you that you can’t think of Charles and Keith as a luxury. By the way, if you google it, many sources classify them as a luxury brand. so.
♬ Original sound – zoe 🦋 – zoe 🦋
One viewer simply wrote, “Who’s going to tell her,” suggesting Zoe wasn’t aware the bag wasn’t a luxury purchase and someone should tell her.
The teen echoed that comment and made a tearful new video, explaining that buying it was a luxury for her and her family, who don’t have a lot of money.
In it, she revealed that money is the topic she’s most uncomfortable talking about because she didn’t have much growing up and her family couldn’t afford expensive items.
She added: “We couldn’t buy things as simple as bread [Singaporean bakery] speak bread. When we first moved to Singapore, that was a luxury.
“Every time we passed a shop, my parents would say next time, but the next time would never come.
“Your comment spoke volumes about how ignorant you seem because of your wealth. For you, an $80 bag might not be a luxury.
Many commenters took to the video to reassure the 17-year-old, telling her to ignore other people’s mean comments
“It’s a lot for me and my family and I’m so thankful my dad was able to get me one. He worked so hard for this money. I can’t believe I got hatred over a bag I was so excited for.
Viewers left supportive comments on the video, which received around 6 million views and 17,000 replies.
One wrote: “Don’t bother with these comments. For me at your age, owning an $80 bag is considered very luxurious.”
Another added: “Don’t let anyone ruin your happiness. Your bag looks classy and beautiful! And I’m so proud of you.’
And a third agreed, writing: “Please don’t cry… I know how expensive life is in Singapore. I also bought Charles and Keith for $60 in Singapore and is still my favorite bag to this day.