Faking Fakes
Yesterday I ventured to Lion Rock Road in Kowloon City to search for treasures. It's not too exciting at the moment, a lot of shops have evaporated. However, I did find something curious. Buying fake brand name goods is a major trend in Hong Kong, tourists will buy fakes to impress friends and family back home. In Hong Kong you can find copies of almost anything; clothes, shoes, watches, jewellery, DVD's, sun cream, sunglasses... and the beat goes on.
On a counter in a store selling 'real' designer clothes there was a very unambiguous collection of clothing labels. 'Marc Jacobs', 'DKNY', 'Stella McCartney', 'Jil Sander' which I would guess were all ready and lined up to be sewn onto an illusory copy of their respective pieces. Although there are a slew of fakes within our grasp, it's not uncommon to find the real thing but marked down because it has a fault, got lost in transit (was stolen) or is actually fake with a very real looking name tag.
Crossing the border into China, Shenzhen is a frequented habit to many Hong Kong residents and travellers. Say you have a top you love to death and wear everyday of your life. One day your beloved item will rip, shrink, disintegrate or get put in the wash with something a dastardly colour. Don’t panic, get a back-up made in China. With their masterly skills they can whip up an exact replica within a week and your tears will be stunted eternally. A more sinister use of their skills would be to copy the latest Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress and sell it advertised as authentic.
Essentially they're making the exact same item just without Marc's/Diane's/Jil's/Donatella's approval. This would anger the ethical pants off anti-consumers because of designers being allowed to charge a ransom for what is worth little more than their toothpaste. The world is not fair, noted.
If you're after cheap designer items check out The Milan Station. It sells second hand, barely used designers such as Gucci, LV, Prada, Chanel, Juicy Couture, etc. The store itself sports a Hong Kong Tourist board approval sticker but keep your eyes and ears open anyway.
How to spot a fake:
1) Exotic misspellings of brand names give the game away instantly.
2) A flirty line connecting the L and V is not a fresh moderation to the logo.
3) Dodgy sewing on garment and particularly on the name tag. (Even in shoes)
4) A half-hearted snip at the name tag. To avoid arrest and penalty, name tags are snipped at indignantly so as not to be obvious. This makes it a mission to figure out whether you're about to buy Moschino or Marc Jacobs.
5) The quality of material. The silk feels like paper? Then it's not silk.
We'd rather wear local designers anyway!
11 comments:
I know which shop you mean! I bought a mouse-print 'Jill Stuart' dress from there about six months ago because I loved the print, and shortened it into a little bubble hem. It's adorable now.
There are a few fake stores like that in Rise and Argyle, as well.
Rina
Hey Rina!!!
That's so cool, nice one!
Rise and Argyle sell second hand designers?
xxx
Further up in Rise, there are a few second-hand. Apparently Yiu Wa St in Causeway is better though. The shops in Argyle and Rise sell the fake designer stuff, albeit of better quality than in the Lion Rock Road shop. I see a lot of fake Tsumori Chisato and Doo Ri around.
Argyle and Rise....
Where is 'Rise' ?
Hi Rich! Argyle Centre is in Mong Kok, if you come out Mong Kok Mtr Exit D2, it's right there. Rise Shopping mall is at 52A Granville Circuit, just off Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Happy Shopping!
Got it, thanks!
hi there! i was just in HKG a week ago and made it my mission to look for those fake/supposed real designer stuff clothing like DVF/BCBG/Tsumori Chisato but unfortunately my aching feet could not take me places. i was wondering these places you mentioned ARgyle and Rise, Lion Rock Road and yiu Wa St in Casuseway all sell designer clothes like DVF? please help me.
anyone knows if there are fake redwing shoes in hongkong?
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