From Inspired to Fake

It's common knowledge that China produces bag fakes like no other.  It doesn't just produce the crude, obviously fake kind of fakes.  There's the top notch AAA class fakes that can fool even the most discerning eye.  However, being the bag ignoramus that I am, meaning I'm not usually one to covet the latest 'it' bags and since I have not the inclination to hanker after the real thing, I'm clearly not gonna get the fakes either. 

But how does one feel about the designer 'inspired' bag?  These are bags that take after the designer article in some shape or form but don't go all out to be an accurate exact copy.  Laugh away but when I bought this black patent tote in Hong Kong for a mere HKD400 (around £30), I had not a clue that the design was 'inspired' by the much-coveted Chanel Cabas vinyl shopper that costs over $1k and has a lo-ong waiting list. 

Now that I have realised the design origins of the bag, we then go into the iffy question of 'Am I carrying a fake or a bag in its own right?'.  It doesn't have the wannabe Chanel trademarks like the stitched interlocked CC's or the silver and leather interwoven chain straps that on a fake are blatant giveaway signs of it's counterfeit status.  If I first saw it as a real patent leather bag with some thick chain straps that would be useful for carrying around outfit changes and my laptop, then the fact that it's design is designer-led shouldn't really matter at all. 

I have seen some darnright horrible 'inspired' bags with Balenciaga and Chloe spawning the the majority of this type.  But the fact is that the Chanel Cabas tote design is very simple and when it inspires an annonymous looking black patent shopper like this, it really doesn't matter that some people will take one look at it and think 'Wannabe Chanel'.  To me it's just a slouchy patent leather tote that's useful.

Comments

[Carissa]

Its considerably smaller than the Chanel Cabas, plus what does it matter? Its cute.

[mandy]

Eventhough I'm a big Chanel fan, your bag (wannabe chanel or not) looks way better than the original one! I think it has a kind of modesty that the Cabas is lacking. I know it sounds like a cliché but believe me, with this bag, less really is more ;)

[S.]

It's fine. It doesn't have a horrible logo fake or otherwise. The proportion is waaaay better than the "original"!

[S]

I was bothered by the same issue just yesterday. I ran into the most awfully-inspired Chloe bag and just got upset (I even posted about it in my blog). Where is the originality when people only imitate?

Your patent leather bag is quite the buy. The sizing is different, so rest assured, it won't be picked out as an imitation! : )

[Chloë]

I love the idea of the Cabas, mostly because it looks like a big garbage bag, and I hate the C's, so your bag gets points for that.

[jen]

honestly...i like your bag much more than the original! i wouldn't worry about carrying it at all. it's not like you're one of those wannabe label whores with stockpiles of fake bags and sunglasses stuffed in storage units under your bed. it's totally safe for you to carry it.

Exactly, I like this one waaaay more than the original. The CC logo just looks awkward on that one and the way it looks on those ladies - no offence meant, but I think they take the garbage bag thing too far.
Yours HINTS at garbage bag but doesn't ACTUALLY look like one :)

[Mimi]

I'm always torn between the distinction of designer-inspired & designer-fake. I have a bag 'inspired' by the Stam bag...in that it's a near-exact copy; it just doesn't have the MJ-logo stamped all over it. Of course people on the street might not know that - they may think that I'm carrying a fake. Your bag, however, is cuter & smaller that the original Chanel, & not as distinctive as a Stam, so I would think everything would be fine.

[sanresh]

Hi..nice blog u have here..keep it up.

by the way check out.....

http://www.stylepit.com

you will like it they have got interesting stuff.

For me, Chanel got it wrong with this bag anyway as it looks neither luxurious nor aspirational, so you paying £30 for this is absolutely perfect - in my opinion you paid what the bag should cost and Chanel were taking the piss.

[Carina]

I think this is a great bag, better than the trash bag looking Chanel one. I don't think you should stop using a bag that you initially liked. Have funnn it's fashion!!

Well in the end everything is a copy of everything I mean these kind of bags are en vogue. Look at it as an plane white t shirt, in that case someone wouldnt know if its a designer one or not.

[llllllllllll]

the previous post was mine , an anonymous person , not carina's i dont understand this im sorry c!

[valerie]

I think it looks way cooler than the original...i like bags that are"inspired by.." and not exact copies.. that's smart because is still trendy even if is not the real one and is not a Wannabe.. that I HATE!!!!!

[misshoax]

i think taking inspiration is what fashion is about - blatant photo-copy-copies of goods are not. you're positively fine with your bag choice - the awful chloé and balenciagas on the other hand are not. they just don't look good do they?

[Alyssa Newell]

Gods, I adore your posts- I really do. Every time you post I think I squeal a little bit- perhaps rather awkwardly and outwardly, but nonetheless you should be proud. :D It keeps me from getting my Law work done, and therefore you are almost like God…because, well, erm. Whatever. I’m sure if you give me time I could think of several reasons.

Also, that is a very cute bag- and I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say that it’s not a knock-off because you didn’t aim for that at time of purchase. So your safe from the general tackiness of knock-off bags. :d

Just wondering, what does it take to get a link on your page? I’ve just started my own style blog (though not even half as good as yours) and was hoping for some linkage.

Yours,
Alyssa

[Rhi]

I want your bag Susie, it's gorgeous.

How does a silver and leather interwoven chain indicate a fake, though? I have a real Chanel and the ones I saw in Selfridges and in Paris all have leather interwoven with the chain?!

[lane]

to me it seems like one that copies the design is just as much a fake, so why not have one with the logo on it? you know? whichever is better quality. i hate those knock offs that are fake but don't want to use the brand logo. those are worse, i think, because it's like if you're gonna fake.. it might as well be convincing or as close as possible. otherwise what's the point?

[K.tee]

Well, I dont know whats worse, the fact that some people actually like the Chanel one or the fact that the one you bought is way cuter than the ones in the pictures about the long list. Honestly is not about the designer or if its designer inspired its just about taste. I think channel made them way too big, and they look like garbage bags. It would be a pretty dumb buy if u spent 1k in that attrocity, I would stick to the £30

[tinu]

actually your 'fake' chanel looks better than the original, it has a much nicer sheen. wear it with pride I say.

[Mana]

I thought they are carrying some garbage bags (the original ones). Yours is cute. I would love to have one.

[milk]

I love both yours and the chanel one! I really want a fake, but I doubt I'll see one here in sweden.

[le secretaire]

The bag is great! Spacious, glamourous, can be dressed up - dressed down & for a reasonable price? what's not to LOVE.

[Ed]

Love the cabas. :)

i always found a fine line between branding and fashion. Should branding get in the way of fashion? Personally I don't think so. And i love your perspective. The most rationale I've read so far.

[Ed]

Love the cabas. :)

i always found a fine line between branding and fashion. Should branding get in the way of fashion? Personally I don't think so. And i love your perspective. The most rationale I've read so far.