Fakes are never in fashion
By: Marija Pejkovic
Valerie Salembier, Publisher of Harpers Bazaar “ If the woman who lives in Des Moines or the woman that lives on East 85th street knew where her money was going when she bought a fake, you could be sure that she wouldn’t be buying a fake again.”
Counterfeit Goods in Fashion
Background of counterfeit goods How to avoid the purchase of a fake Spotting fakes Awareness
Background
Imitations Currency Documents Art Software Pharmaceuticals Watches Electronics Clothing
Background Continued
Over 50% of seized Counterfeit goods in the U.S. are apparel and accessories. 5-7% of World Trade revolves around counterfeit products. 3rd World Countries Weaker
labor laws/regulations Directly selling to the consumer
Desire to reproduce counterfeit goods at a low cost
Trends in Counterfeiting
China-Counterfeit Capital of the World 8% of Chinas GDP is accounted for by counterfeit goods Different features Different from the brands authentic product Prominent and fake brand names Logotypes
Biggest Markets
New York City Mexico City Rome Hong Kong
Avoiding the Purchase of a Fake: Interesting Facts
An estimated $600 Billion in annual sales of counterfeit products are sold worldwide. $512 Billion of global sales are lost to counterfeit products. $20 Billion is estimated to be lost by American companies for counterfeit products. $1 Billion is lost in New York City in tax revenues because of counterfeiting. 750,000 jobs are lost due to intellectual property theft in the United States alone. Out of all the goods produced in the world, 10% of them are counterfeit goods.
Cons of Buying Counterfeit Goods
Organized crime Terrorists are funded by counterfeit goods Support of illegal drugs and the use of them. Child labor in third world countries Prostitution Tax Avoidance
Benefits of not Buying Counterfeit Goods  
Image and Reputation Authentic handbags have specific serial numbers and holograms
How to Spot a Fake: Fake Vs. Authentic
Location: Flea Market Vs. Brand’s Boutique Price: Cheap Vs. Expensive Construction: Sloppy Stitches Vs. Logos on Metal Pieces Packaging: Plastic Wrap Vs. Authenticity Cards Spelling: Misspelling of Designers Brand Vs. No Spelling Errors Labels: Hangtags that don’t Represent the Product Vs. Stitched in tags with Proper Country of Origin
Awareness
Summits Authentic Foundation www.myauthentics.com
International Anticounterfeiting Coalition www.iacc.org