When I think about Al Karama in Dubai, the first thing that comes to mind are those fake bags! Since I’m an original sort of gal, the idea of getting something unrecognizable from the actual designer really bothers me. When I walked through the souks and the mighty malls of Al Karama, I was stunned. Everywhere I looked, people were wheeling and dealing cheap bags that looked like the real deal. It made me sad and angry all at the same time!
I felt like I had to give it a closer look. So, I followed one of the peddlers, and what I saw next made my jaw drop – designer totes and satchels for a fraction of the price. How could it be? I mean, I’m no expert, but I could tell it wasn’t the genuine article; the hardware or leather wasn’t quite up to par.
It made me think, how bad is this? Is it harmless to just buy something that looks like the real thing, but isn’t? I was conflicted because I know my designer purses aren’t going to pay for a new car or anything, but I’d hate it if the money I spent was going to a counterfeiter in Al Karama.
I’m not sure what to do. On the one hand, counterfeit bags have flooded Al Karama and other places throughout Dubai, and it’s impossible to keep these peddlers out of sight. On the other hand, I don’t want to be someone buying fake bags. I mean, I’m not usually a brand-oriented person, but I do recognize the difference between genuine craftsmanship and its impostor.
The thing is, if I can’t tell the difference between a fake and real bag in Al Karama, who can? I guess what it boils down to is my moral conscience – I just don’t feel right about buying fake merchandise. I’ve always been taught to respect creativity and to support originality, so why should I help counterfeiters and stealers take away from that experience?
That’s why I’m so torn about this whole thing. I hate the idea of supporting counterfeiting, but at the same time, it’s happening right before my eyes and I just can’t ignore it. It’s a real problem in Dubai and I’m not sure what the answer is. What do you think?