Being a fashion enthusiast for more than a decade, I wasn’t surprised when I saw a friend with an amazing, sophisticated Lulu Guinness bag. What was shocking was that the bag had tiny signs of being a counterfeit item. The bag was a replica of the best-selling pattern of Lulu Guinness. Most people get fooled with such amazing replicas, as the look exactly like the original ones and are not easily detectable.
“Can You Believe It?” I gawked. She smiled in response, nodding her head before explaining that somebody gifted her the bag and that it looked almost too real. It was very smooth on the surface and had pictures of the Lulu Guinness print all over. Plus, it had the famous designer’s brand insignia somewhere on the side. She said that she thought the bag was genuine, so she was totally wrong there.
I then inquired about where she got the bag from, and she kind of went into a hushed tone. I suspected it was shady, as she knew something more that she was not willing to share. I just realized it was one of those things, which were not quite right, but making up stories were not a problem for all.
The saddest part was the fact that a person had to resort to buying a fake item to keep up with the fashion trend. Spending money on something that wasn’t real just wouldn’t make any sense. That’s when I wished that companies like Lulu Guinness had more affordable bags, so that people didn’t have to buy from the wrong source and have a sense of satisfaction in buying something authentic.
I was surprised at the intricate details which were even noticed in such a cheap replica. It was like the person who copied it was trying to put everyone to the test. Even though I knew that the large 60$ bag was worth something far less in reality, the feel and look of it made me feel like I was carrying a luxurious designer bag which would cost a lot of money.
It almost felt like a sad kind of satisfaction when I saw it for the first time. I wished in my heart that my friend wouldn’t have to go through the experience of buying a fake item twice.
I then decided to do some research about the bag, and I couldn’t believe initially, what I saw. The bag was indeed a fake one and was simply not worth the money being spent. I felt so heartbroken at the thought that someone out there was misleading people like this. I thought to myself why companies don’t invest in making things affordable and easily accessible for everyone.
But these replicas also made me think, that maybe the copycats are out there due to the lack of affordability in the fashion industry. It seemed like they were taking advantage of people who just couldn’t afford to buy the original item, making themstars out of it. Perhaps the fashion industry needs to understand the gap between affordability and luxury fashion.
And then, I thought maybe these replicas could be used to put out statements or to make people feel like a star for a day, as buying a fake version is far easier on the pocket. Maybe wearing it could just make someone’s day and make them feel self-confident. Because everybody deserves to look and feel beautiful once in a while.
On a more positive note, wearing a replica could help companies give back to the people who adore their products. It can reach people all over the world and give them a chance to feel good too. That’s exactly why I think, perhaps there’s a need of changing up the game of replicas out there.
The fashion industry should understand the need for the availability of affordable fashion. If they take their time and invest in finding new ways for providing more reasonably priced items, they could build a bigger fan base and reach out to more people.
And that’s why I believe replicas should be given a chance. When done right, they can bring about positive change and spread joy to many. Maybe if the fashion industry takes the initiative to work towards affordable fashion, the replicas could be vanished and would not be a threat to the industry.