I have a beautiful WG love Cartier that I wear on my right wrist. It is REAL! In the hair salon the other day, I found in the boutique tons of fakes. There were amazing fakes of Hermes clic bracelets for $85 and Chanel flower bracelets for $90. What is your opinion of putting a "fake" next to the real deal? I'm drooling over the Hermes - I honestly cannot tell the difference between the fake and the real one!
Fine (real) jewelry with fake?
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LOL! I do have a real Hermes. I just have one though. It is the color called "tomat" which is like tomato. It has the silver palladium hardware. But the "knockoff" at the boutique I'm eyeing is the black one with silver. I have 2 concerns: The first is that I'm not sure that I even like the clic bracelet next to the Love one. And secondly, as much as I like the clic, I'm not sure I want to support the business of "fakes". But it is hard to pass up. The chanel flower one may not be a copy cause I haven't ever seen the real one. It might just be a pretty costume jewelry bracelet.
JMO.....but I think what you purchase and choose to wear directly reflects upon you.
If you choose to buy/support fakes, what does that say about you? You are stylish, but savvy? Cheap? A terrorist?
Me, I would probably quit going to that salon. If they have fakes in their boutique, what else are they cutting corners on?
If you choose to buy/support fakes, what does that say about you? You are stylish, but savvy? Cheap? A terrorist?
Me, I would probably quit going to that salon. If they have fakes in their boutique, what else are they cutting corners on?
The woman who owns the boutique just rents space in the building. She has no connection to the beauty salon other than being their neighbor. It bothers me that I'm interested in the bracelet cause I've never been one to do the replica thing. I thought I'd post here to get some opinions which I really appreciate and enjoy other's viewpoints. I'm so surprised that this woman from boutique has not been raided or busted. She has tons of LV, Tory Burch, Chanel, Prada, Hermes, Gucci, BV, and more. She sells jewelry, bags, wallets, belts, accessories, clothing, etc. Some is awful looking and some looks pretty amazing. She is a nice lady but like many here, I've never supported the business of fakes. I wish I didn't walk in and see this bracelet. Perhaps that is my answer and I should pass on the $85 Hermes clic. I could put that in my Air King fund. LOL!
A can of worms indeed. It always amazes me that there are some who relish the thought of "fake", "travel", "replica", "so I don't have to wear my good jewelry", which to me, in most cases, is just an excuse to wear large stones or pieces that you otherwise don't want to, or, cannot afford to spend the money on. Which by the way, I do not pass judgment on ever.
Then the conversation turns to the same objective with Hermes, and all h#ll breaks loose. In that discussion, the nay-sayers always jump on their "Hermes Saddle" and claim slave labor, shady dealings, etc. Yet, what do you think transpires with fake jewelry? Integrity? An honest alternative??? Surely, not. Yet, with those sporting Hermes avitars, it's completely acceptable, while someone who feels it is more prudent to invest money in real jewelry and carry a "fake", "travel", or, "replica so I don't have to take my real Hermes to the ____________" is villified. Seems like a big contradiction to me.
I don't condone the conditions that apply to the manufacturing of these items, no one with a conscience would. But don't kid yourself to preach that these types of working conditions don't apply to some aspect in the manufacturing process of "authentic" luxury goods as well. Sadly, that's the reality in this world whether you consider for example the fact that supporting luxury brands that are foreign made takes jobs and opportunities away from American designers and manufacturers. Or, consider the the potential for the socially immoral and emotional toll taken on women who feel the only way to happiness and acceptance is to own these brands at whatever the cost.
Again, I don't not pass judgement, on anyone, either way. In the end, they are just material goods, meant to be used and enjoyed. I, personally do not own any replicas, jewelry nor bags, but I would never discount the opportunity if it was what I wanted.
Then the conversation turns to the same objective with Hermes, and all h#ll breaks loose. In that discussion, the nay-sayers always jump on their "Hermes Saddle" and claim slave labor, shady dealings, etc. Yet, what do you think transpires with fake jewelry? Integrity? An honest alternative??? Surely, not. Yet, with those sporting Hermes avitars, it's completely acceptable, while someone who feels it is more prudent to invest money in real jewelry and carry a "fake", "travel", or, "replica so I don't have to take my real Hermes to the ____________" is villified. Seems like a big contradiction to me.
I don't condone the conditions that apply to the manufacturing of these items, no one with a conscience would. But don't kid yourself to preach that these types of working conditions don't apply to some aspect in the manufacturing process of "authentic" luxury goods as well. Sadly, that's the reality in this world whether you consider for example the fact that supporting luxury brands that are foreign made takes jobs and opportunities away from American designers and manufacturers. Or, consider the the potential for the socially immoral and emotional toll taken on women who feel the only way to happiness and acceptance is to own these brands at whatever the cost.
Again, I don't not pass judgement, on anyone, either way. In the end, they are just material goods, meant to be used and enjoyed. I, personally do not own any replicas, jewelry nor bags, but I would never discount the opportunity if it was what I wanted.
And to get back to topic, I say go for it. If it makes you happy, and is another alternative way to accessorize, do it. You may find that you like it so much you want to go out and get another, or, the "real" thing!
Personally it would bother me to wear a fake anything. I wouldn't buy replica shoes, bags, jewelry, clothing, etc. I don't think it's right. I know that what it costs to make a designer piece is far less than what they charge and sometimes that will bug me if it's something that's pretty, but just as good of quality as something half the price, but if I like it I'll still usually buy it. I feel like it's just really wrong to copy a designers original idea and make money off of it when it's not yours. No different than copying a paper or something in school. JMO though. You should do what you want to do. I think you'll feel better about just saving up and getting the real deal.
I have to say while im shocked to see have read someone on the boards post with such an opinion, i completely agree. I know I'm in the minority, but i have nothing against fakes or imitations. I have only one knock off purse, and i was duped in to buying it. My issues with it lies in that i was fooled into getting it, not that it is a fake.
I know a lot of people here have issues with the child labor/treatment etc of the people involved in the trade of knock offs. While i am sure there is some validity to that, Coach, Barberry, Liz Claiborne, Robert Rodriquez, Max Studio, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke, Juicy Couture, Donna Karan as well as many many many others all have at least part of their production coming from china and i am sure the quality/treatment/rate of pay is not that which would put a smile on anyone's faces.
I am not saying that i support knock offs, or that there is not some evil in the makeup of the industry. I just don't think we should be fooled to think that it is limited to the industry of knock offs. I think there are a few fantastic replicas out there that are very very high in quality. Mine most defintily is. As soon as I can look at it without seeing blind rage at being ripped off I might even start using it. Unfortunatly I think high quality fakes are the minorty. That is what has always stopped me. the quality.
I say if it makes you happy and your ok with it being an imitation and KNOW what you are purchasing, then go for it. And you will either love it or you will decide you must get the real thing.
I wouldn't have a problem with it in theory if it were an "inspired by" piece. Kind of like when people print out a picture of an engagement ring at Tiffany and try to have their jeweler replicate it for less. I don't really like it, but I'm not perfect... I sometimes buy shoes from stores like Nine West and I'm sure they are "inspired" by someone else's design.
I consider CZs to not be "fake" jewelry, since CZs are just clear shiny rocks. No one holds the patent on them. The diamond industry cannot sue white topaz mines because white topaz looks similar to diamonds. I think people wear CZ because they like shiny things.
But if it has fake logos or pretends to be a branded piece, then that is not cool.
Also, when brands like Burberry or Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs have production in China, that is completely different from UNREGULATED and unaccounted underground sweatshops used to make counterfeit goods. I work for a luxury brand that has MOST of our production in the USA, but we have a few pieces that have to be made in China because no one here has the skill set to make the few extra pieces in our collection. There is NO sketchy mistreatment and there is no comparison! The work is very high quality (China believe it or not has a monopoly on cashmere production and it's still very expensive to produce).
So even if a few designer brands sometimes have production in China, that does not mean that goods from unregulated illegal factories are now okay and ethical.
I consider CZs to not be "fake" jewelry, since CZs are just clear shiny rocks. No one holds the patent on them. The diamond industry cannot sue white topaz mines because white topaz looks similar to diamonds. I think people wear CZ because they like shiny things.
But if it has fake logos or pretends to be a branded piece, then that is not cool.
Also, when brands like Burberry or Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs have production in China, that is completely different from UNREGULATED and unaccounted underground sweatshops used to make counterfeit goods. I work for a luxury brand that has MOST of our production in the USA, but we have a few pieces that have to be made in China because no one here has the skill set to make the few extra pieces in our collection. There is NO sketchy mistreatment and there is no comparison! The work is very high quality (China believe it or not has a monopoly on cashmere production and it's still very expensive to produce).
So even if a few designer brands sometimes have production in China, that does not mean that goods from unregulated illegal factories are now okay and ethical.