... Then again, when is "Faking it" actually cool?

The answer is never. Nope, never. I could not possibly tell you in just a 24 hour time span just how much I detest the counterfeit industry. We live in a world where not only the rich want to look rich, but the less fortunate actually "deceive" others that they, too, have the funds to splurge. Or are we fooled? There is a time when we find ourselves stripped of extra spending money. These times also may bring about the urge to overcompensate for our thrifty lifestyles. So, are most of us subjected to fake, plastic, cheap, imitation, faux, replica, etc, etc., solely to make others think we are living in a life of happy times?

I could wow you with numbers of how much the counterfeit industry pulls in, annually. I am not here to impress, I am here to inform. Why is it that millions of people all over the world walk around with labels to pursue friends, careers, love interests, even a reputation for anything but being poor? I admit, at one time in my life, I had been overwhelmed with the curiousity to purchase a couple items that were just about as Gucci as a flat tire. A colleague and I had ventured to the Big Apple for our very first visit. We encountered skyscrapers, pizza joints and hundreds upon hundreds of fakes. Fake everything. I even recall seeing a fake nylon DKNY mini backpack (about as pointless as buying a pair of fake Banana Republic Chinos). Who are these people? Is there a market for this kind of stuff in America? Who is buying these items and who feels good about sporting a replica of an extremely expensive bag? Oh, and are any of us buying the fact that their stuff is actually real? In Japan, Louis Vuitton stores are swamped with customers during all store hours. They take fashion and name brands to a level of utmost importance. No joke! So, it is no wonder that in countries like Japan, designer replicas are extremely outlawed. You couldn't find it if your life depended on it. So, why should the United States be any different?

Anywhere you go, you will find ways in which less fortunate people try to obtain "surface richness", an image to onlookers that they are flooded to the tip with Benjamins by dressing in a certain manner. The woman with magenta-colored lipstick who shops the bargain bin at Walmart for gold-coated watches and jewelry. Can you smell that cheap perfume? I try not to let it all out, but if you can only close your eyes for a minute and see where I am attempting to take this. It is not pretty. We must force ourselves to look at them from a spectator point of view and realize how desperate it looks to become the counterfeit-clad bimbo that tries (ever so har) to impress.

Fashion stops almost immediately after logo wear. Shirts, bags and shoes showing blatant logos are just about the edge of fashion to wear it almost gets too tacky. It says, "I have taste, but hey, can you blame me? It's designer!" Once we topple into designer imposter, we are creating that permanent tattoo above our foreheads that reads, "I tried, but not hard enough".

Perhaps I am being too critical. I realize that not all of us are able to wear expensive clothing. I do, however, realize that by continuously buying counterfeit items, we are contributing, not only to an industry that breaks the law, but we are also hurting the reputation and credibility of many fashion houses, nationwide. The argument that constantly circulates this case is that designers take money out of us (and a whole lot of it for that matter). What we need to consider is that designers are successful for a reason: They have an image, they have experience, they create art and have a passion for design . If you look at many articles of clothing, accessories, luggage, etc., made by designers, they are created with the utmost precision, often require cutting-edge technology to manifest the creative minds vision onto fabric (Unlike my favorite example of counterfeit, located above: The Infamous "Goach" Pattern). Countless decisions are made to give shape to a wearable work of art. Ahh, the glorious feeling of polished leather and countless hours needed to make the item in your hands (at your very disposal :). What is better than holding something that is soo desired? Not so much if it was made by a little girl in a sweatshop in BFE, China. At times, the leather, not so much leather but pleather where it cracks or peels and the stitching comes right out. Think of your Marc Jacobs Hobo as a Warhol screen print that you are wearing. An artist with a creative vision has sold you his beautifully-decorated canvas for you to wear and tote around!

Ken suggests: Everyone is allowed a splurge once in a while. Why not pick out a classic piece you have been eyeing and save for it? Worse case scenario, it was only one purchase, eBay is always an option to resell it, or you will be stuck with a timeless pair of shoes or a classic coat that will last throughout the ages. Replicas don't impress and are NEVER considered an investment.