Guest Author - Tamira Williams
When you think about it fashion merchandise no matter the brand can be pretty expensive, Gucci $1,995, Prada $2,200, LV $4,250, but what about a knock off that looks just as good, priceless right?
Hardly, counterfeit fashion merchandise is a problem that trickles down hill affecting the global community in ways you’ve never even dreamed of. These “fake” fashions are more than the product of a very clever thief. They are part of a tightly woven network that helps to perpetuate horrible acts against humanity such as terrorism, child labor and human trafficking. So while they may be a cheaper alternative to the real-thing, owning these items does have resounding negative affects throughout the world.
Luxury has its price of course and many times that price is out of our immediate reach, but there are ways to obtain these items through sales, vintage shops, or various reputable websites such as Bluefly or Eluxury. Of course when you purchase an item online you need to take the same precautions that you would take if you were purchasing the item in person. There are countless websites that specialize in selling items that can “pass” for the real-thing and they are more than willing to take advantage of you if you are too anxious for a great deal. Make sure that you deal with a well known retailer who can answer any questions you may have about brand characteristics and identification.
There are a few things to do to avoid being taken for a ride, first is to know the logo of your favorite fashion and pay close attention to the details of the product. Is their glue in places where there should be stitching? Are the letters or trademark design facing in the opposite direction? Are the product registration numbers in the right place? If not then these are red flags that should put a halt to your purchase. Secondly you want to make sure you know the seller, let’s be clear you can’t buy a Coach from the local Wal-Mart. Lastly if you are in the middle of making a purchase and you notice your bag is wrapped in cheap plastic or your shoes are in a box that is not the signature box of the designer you might want to RUN! Most designers provide you with an elaborate box to take you’re newly found goodie home in, if it’s a purse some will even give you a cloth purse bag to help protect the bag once it’s in your closet.
Remember that fake goods have no boundaries they could be purses, shoes, shirts, jeans or belts and they come from several different countries that generate millions of dollars in illegal revenue. Understand that contributing to this problem is not the way to go, if you can’t afford the fashions save up until you can, but to buy something fake just to keep up an image just makes you look bad.
Always Keep it Simple and Sexy
