A Philadelphia designer has sparked a debate online after transforming classic tote bags into luxury handbags that cost more than some people's rent.
The 'Boatkin' - part Birkin, part tote - is a bargain vintage LL Bean Boat and Tote bag restructured to mimic the style of the luxury Hermes Birkin bag that can cost upwards of $10,000.
The controversial bag is the creation of Jen Risk, founder of brand Hathaway Hutton.
The Hathaway Hutton website describes the Boatkin as 'a super fun super niche super useful tote bag that you can spill an entire nitro cold brew in and not have one ounce of guilt about it.'
Risk, who describes her creation as 'quiet luxury with a smirk,' charges between $1,200 and $1,600 for each custom bag.
