"The Rich New York Women Who Love Their Fake Birkins" article in The Cut - thoughts?

[papertiger]

This thread is only commenting on and discussing points made arising from the article in #1 post, discussing Hermes:

For general discussion and debate on fake bags please read/post here: Why do people wear fake bags?

For a discussion on the 'gray (or grey) market: What is the gray market for HE handbags? It's not a fake...

 

[Tykhe]

I thought the same thing as well. Since it’s a gift it’s the thought that counts really

Yeah sometimes I would give a man the benefit of the doubt. I imagine most guys (except Kanye) probably can’t tell a Hermes bag from a grocery bag.

 

[IronOak]

Apparently TPF is losing our minds. Going through the replies to that comment, none of them have addressed any of the contradictory wishes. If it’s just a bag, then why not just carry a plastic bag? Clearly RL want a bag in a certain style, made with certain material, and even have the same logo stamped. Right… and we’re delusional.

 

[Tapenade]

I say this actually fake news. No pics of 'ladies' or their bags, no verifiable facts. No last names. The whole thing is as shady as the practice being written about. This article is a superfake.

I can 100% assure you, you're wrong. I've watched RepLadies for several years, and there are definitely women ordering, reviewing, and wearing counterfeit bags. I've seen them and touched them, and it's impressive how close they are to the originals. Whether these women are mega-rich, I don't know. But they are certainly upper middle class, at least, since they drop a significant amount of money on bags.

 

[Mrs.Z]

Apparently TPF is losing our minds. Going through the replies to that comment, none of them have addressed any of the contradictory wishes. If it’s just a bag, then why not just carry a plastic bag? Clearly RL want a bag in a certain style, made with certain material, and even have the same logo stamped. Right… and we’re delusional.

Engaging in CRIMINAL activity gives her the moral high ground here?

 

[purselovah91]

I believe it because of this - real housewives are notorious for carrying reps

 

[Tapenade]

You make some good points about the environmental impact of luxury goods and sustainability. However, if an Hermes, Chanel, LV or other fashion house is caught employing children, victims of sex trafficking, slaves etc, hell will rain down on their heads. Public pressure can, and has been used to change similar situations with well known companies. This won't be the case with a rep factory in China.

How many people who buy authentic Hermes made their money doing things that are unethical? I'd be hard pressed to look at a member of the Sackler family, which made billions getting Americans addicted to opioids, carrying an authentic Birkin and praising them for their ethics. I'm absolutely certain there are lots of women in the UAE carrying Birkins who also have Sri Lankan domestic workers who literally cannot go home. I'm just saying, buying authentic bags hardly makes somebody a labor activist, much less an angel.

 

[rachrach1017]

Apparently TPF is losing our minds. Going through the replies to that comment, none of them have addressed any of the contradictory wishes. If it’s just a bag, then why not just carry a plastic bag? Clearly RL want a bag in a certain style, made with certain material, and even have the same logo stamped. Right… and we’re delusional.

Engaging in CRIMINAL activity gives her the moral high ground here?

The fact that h/she said
“God these people are sad. I feel sorry that spending ridiculous money over some bags gave them the sense of entitlement over others who don’t think that way”
That alone just mind blowing.
Those people choose to spend $1000+ for a so-called “AAA+” fake yet have the audacity to call out the people who mostly admire craftsmanship and everything in between of H.
Obviously they want to be “in” and “have” the authentic pieces but they can’t so they justify that it’s ok to carry a fake one?

The only people they are fooling is themselves.
This is just so sad…

I totally get it that yes it’s your money you could do whatever the heck you want with it. But I don’t condone such an illegal activity nor support those reps businesses.

I’m quite positive that Some of those people have the financial ability to buy the authentic yet deciding that it’s ok to buy reps. The question is Why? Who do they have to prove themselves to?

 

[Tapenade]

If one wants a Birkin because it’s a really practical well made tote, but doesn’t want to pay the Birkin price tag, it is FAR easier to go to an independent crafts person/Etsy to make a simple tote from top quality leathers, or a less expensive brand to get a genuine near-substitute than to go on repladies and research which foreign manufacturer has the closest stamping and color dying and stitching to be mistaken for the real deal, all while breaking the law by importing a fake.

I like Birkins because they are very practical and high quality, not because I care a whole lot about the branding. TBH, I have not found it very easy to get somebody on Etsy to make one that functions like a Birkin but is not a Birkin. I've had a lot more luck going to manufacturers of fake Birkins, getting them to make something to my spec (like adding a lining Hermes doesn't use and elongating the handles), and not putting the brand stamp on it.

 

[I AM GPT]

So this is how the Great War between Repladies and TPF started...

 

[IronOak]

The fact that h/she said
“God these people are sad. I feel sorry that spending ridiculous money over some bags gave them the sense of entitlement over others who don’t think that way”
That alone just mind blowing.
Those people choose to spend $1000+ for a so-called “AAA+” fake yet have the audacity to call out the people who mostly admire craftsmanship and everything in between of H.
Obviously they want to be “in” and “have” the authentic pieces but they can’t so they justify that it’s ok to carry a fake one?

The only people they are fooling is themselves.
This is just so sad…

I totally get it that yes it’s your money you could do whatever the heck you want with it. But I don’t condone such an illegal activity nor support those reps businesses.

I’m quite positive that Some of those people have the financial ability to buy the authentic yet deciding that it’s ok to buy reps. The question is Why? Who do they have to prove themselves to?

Hey now, don’t ask these kind of questions. You might get too worked up over all this and start judging other people. /s

 

[Monsieur Candie]

After a similar thread in the Channel sub forum this topic looks as hidden promoting of Reddit counterfeit market. In RL forum there are also TPF members who own both authentic and fake bags. Without going into details, there are no super fake Hermes bags there but some well done handmade fakes are available.

From my own experience and relevant to the thread :

Indeed there are many people who own authentic Hermes bags and deliberately buy quality replica Hermes bags.
There are celebrities who own fake Hermes bags. Regarding the celebrities the first thought is that they has been duped and don't know it ( they can afford real one isn't it) but after you inform them discreetly about that and their Instagram and Facebook posts with fake bags are still there......what you think becomes different.

 

[I AM GPT]

How many people who buy authentic Hermes made their money doing things that are unethical? I'd be hard pressed to look at a member of the Sackler family, which made billions getting Americans addicted to opioids, carrying an authentic Birkin and praising them for their ethics. I'm absolutely certain there are lots of women in the UAE carrying Birkins who also have Sri Lankan domestic workers who literally cannot go home. I'm just saying, buying authentic bags hardly makes somebody a labor activist, much less an angel.

You don't have to be an angel to call people out for obvious illegal behavior.
If someone robs you, do you have to have no previous crimes to call the police on them.

 

[rachrach1017]

Hey now, don’t ask these kind of questions. You might get too worked up over all this and start judging other people. /s

I don’t judge people. I just don’t understand the logic behind theirs. That’s all.

 

[I AM GPT]

I don’t judge people. I just don’t understand the logic behind theirs. That’s all.

/s means end sarcasm.

 

[2cello]

Regarding celebrities with fakes or using fakes on TV shows, it was suggested in the Sex in the City thread about Samantha's fake Birkin, that it would be at high risk for theft to have the real thing sitting around on set. Maybe its an insurance thing, like don't bring your shopping carts to the parking lot.