Life Funded by Selling Luxury Designer Counterfeit Labels

A dishonest businessman who funded a luxury lifestyle by running a large-scale counterfeit designer clothing company has been jailed.

Vinay Kumar Hansrani (48) splashed out some of the profits of his "sophisticated and successful illegal business enterprise" on several cars including an £187,000 Rolls-Royce and an Audi A5 – while declaring profits to the taxman of just a few thousand pounds.
Leicester Crown Court was told that when city council's trading standard officers raided his factory, called Can, in Halkin Street, Belgrave, Leicester, in December 2011, they seized nearly 6,000 counterfeit items with an estimated retail value of between £239,000 and £478,000 – although Hansrani's cut would have been about £100,000.

In a 20-month period, £364,000 of unexplained cash went into his bank accounts.

'The whole place was full of boxes of counterfeit items'

He spent the money on a £187,000 Rolls-Royce

Jane Sarginson, prosecuting, said that when the premises were raided three embroidery machines, worth £30,000 each, were churning out clothes with fake designer logos, including Armani, Gucci, Boss and Ralph Lauren.
"It was a work in progress," she said, "The whole place was full of boxes of counterfeit items, from top to bottom, on both floors."
Ms Sarginson said supplies were delivered nationwide, including to numerous customers in Manchester, but also Glasgow, London and Exeter for onward sale by warehouses and retail outlets. Hansrani (48), of Hall Close, Kibworth, was jailed for two years. Sentencing, Recorder Heidi Kubik said she took into account the six-year delay in bringing the case to court and his ill health.
She said: "It was entirely your own enterprise and you were blatantly spending money from profits on several separate transactions on several vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce.
"It was a sophisticated and successful illegal business enterprise."

What the defendant pleaded guilty to

Labels found at the factory

The defendant pleaded guilty to 29 counts of possessing trademark logos and labels, relating to world-famous designer brands including Boss, Barbour, Diesel, Fred Perry, Lacoste, Gucci, Superdry, Tiffany & Co, Adidas and Nike.
He also admitted three counts of application of a trademark, by using a sign likely to be mistaken for a registered trade mark.

He admitted possessing three embroidery machines adapted to make copies of trademarks.
Hansrani pleaded guilty to money laundering of £198,000, relating to car purchases, between March 2011 and April 2012.

'He recognises the stupidity in going into counterfeiting'

Vinay Kumar Hansrani outside Leicester Crown Court

Nicholas Flanagan, mitigating, said that before 2011, Hansrani ran a legitimate family business in textiles.
When a major customer went out of business, the defendant was forced to make redundancies which caused "significant hardship".
Mr Flanagan said: "He now recognises the stupidity in going into counterfeiting to keep his business afloat."
The barrister disputed the estimated value of the goods seized. He said Hansrani accepted being "a key integral part" of the black market chain, but he also had legitimate contracts, including supplying clothing for schools.
The money laundering related to five or six transactions with car dealers and the Rolls Royce was bought with a view to using it for weddings, which never got off the ground and he sold it having done less than 10,000 miles in it at "a considerable loss."
Mr Flanagan said the six-year gap between arrest and sentence had a detrimental effect on Hansrani and his family, resulting in ill-health, stress and anxiety.
References spoke highly of him as a churchgoer, charity fund-raiser and voluntary work. He was no longer running a business but working in a warehouse to support his family.

'It was a long and complex inquiry'

A number of branded hoodies were found in the factory

Afterwards, Ron Ruddock, manager of the city council's trading standards department, said: "We are pleased with the sentence. Mr Hansrani was given a significant reduction for his personal circumstances and the delay in the prosecution.
"It was a long and complex inquiry into this sophisticated operation that saw goods going in blank, being embroidered and coming out branded.
"We prosecute such cases not just to protect the brand-holders but legitimate businesses and traders who comply with the law."

The delay in the complex investigation was due to a number of factors, explained Ms Sarginson, including obtaining statements from all 29 designer brand companies to confirm sample goods were fake.
It involved following a financial trail with limited departmental resources due to "austerity measures," tracking down more than 70 trading contacts, of which only four turned out to run legitimate businesses.

The RealReal Is Officially Consignment Queen

$173 Million later, the new funding comes just in time for the retailer to open its first store.

 

While it’s fair to say e-commerce has totally changed shopping — putting mall brands out of business and spawning a new category of fast fashion retailers on steroids — the luxury market has had a harder time breaking out online. High-end brands are notoriously uneasy about e-commerce for fear of eroding exclusivity, and sites like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay, riddled with counterfeit goods, have not proven to be great business partners.

You can get your Louis Vuitton and Hermès another way though: The secondhand market has found a way to make luxury and online shopping work, and San Francisco-based site The Real Real is leading the sector. This morning, it confirmed it’s just closed on $50 million in funding from private equity firm Great Hill Partners. The startup’s largest amount of funding to date brings the total amount it’s raised to $173 million. The upcoming wad of cash will go toward expanding the business, which consists of more than 800 employees and three giant fulfillment centers, and a company spokesperson confirms The Real Real will eventually file for IPO, though there are no current plans in the works.

The Real Real remains the fastest-growing of the bunch; even the Kardashians and Saudi princesses use it.

The RealReal is one of many secondhand luxury shopping companies that have leveraged the ease of the internet and enticed shoppers to buy and sell luxury online (although not all have survived). But while sites like Tradesy, ThredUp, and Vestiaire Collective have cashed in on this previously untouched sweet spot, The Real Real remains the fastest-growing of the bunch; even the Kardashians and Saudi princesses use it. The site boasts five million users, has sold four million items to date, and is expected to surpass $500 million in revenue this year.

To Julie Wainwright, the company’s founder and CEO, the site’s success really boils down to trust — a major factor in both online and luxury shopping. Wainwright started The Real Real in 2011 during a time when the options for selling luxury were feeble.

“There was nothing out there that provided the level of service and trust that needed to be added to the equation,” Wainwright told Racked in an interview a few months ago. “eBay can say 90 percent of its products are legitimate, but then what about the other 10 percent? There were consignment stores, but the space was always limited, and most of them weren’t big enough to be sophisticated. I wanted to construct a business that gives you the best of the internet, and then fills in where the internet leaves holes on trust, authentication and service. We take off of the top of eBay and the bottom off Sotheby's.”

Part of the appeal of the startup is that it employs luxury buyers, art curators, gemologists, and watchmakers to authenticate product — not quite as high-end as shopping at Christie’s, but not quite a pawn shop either. The Real Real has employees who visit homes to evaluate product in every major city in the US, and perhaps most importantly, the site takes ownership of listed items, so shoppers can feel secure when splurging — and oh, are they splurging.

Listings have hit as high as six figures (while Wainwright wouldn’t confirm the average listing price, she has said that “Net-a-Porter[‘s] average basket is $430, and ours is bigger.”). These days, The Real Real is selling everything from clothing to art to furniture to diamonds, Wainwright told Racked that 25 percent of its customer base is men, which probably is a nod to the site’s robust list of watches and sneakers.

The icing on the cake here is that The Real Real sees itself as a player that’s bolstering the luxury sector, not preying off of it. In 2017, it is expected to pay almost $300 million to those who are selling on the site, and the company says this money will then be spent “back in the primary market, continuing the luxury lifecycle.” The company is also collecting data on luxury brands, and is currently in conversations about potential partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton, according to TechCrunch. Wainwright told Racked a third of its customers are millennials, and The Real Real studies which brands are popular by age demographic.

The company is also collecting data on luxury brands, and is currently in conversations about potential partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton.

“I’ve met with all the top brands and I tell them that I’m the gateway drug for their brands, and some are in trouble,” she told TechCrunch last month. “Dolce is in trouble. We pick it up from people over 40 [years of age] and sell it to people over 50. There’s a whole disconnect with its advertising and they know it. They aren’t reaching millennials at all. We can also predict trends... if you have Valentino Rockstuds, hand ’em over, because the party is over.”

As part of its ongoing growth strategy, The Real Real is getting into brick and mortar. Wainwright tells Racked she can envision opening a giant store of sorts in five years that’s dedicated to secondhand merch — “a superstore in a major metropolitan area that has one floor dedicated to women's fashion, one to men’s, one to home, and one for art.”

For now, The Real Real is executing its plans for store expansion on a more practical level: This winter, it will open a shop in New York City’s Soho neighborhood that will double as a valuation space and a store. Wainwright has said that the new store will have 100 Birkins on the wall and well, nothing can really top that. 

 

Luxury House, Chanel, Apologizes for Designer Boomerang

Chanel has come under fire for selling a $1,325 boomerang carrying the brand’s distinct double C symbol and smooth black finish. Made of wood and resin, people are taking offense not just at the outrageous price tag but how the luxury label is appropriating an object that’s an integral part of Australian indigenous culture.

@CHANEL discontinue the boomerang, it's ridiculous https://t.co/ewBN2fw1n6

— Nayuka Gorrie (@NayukaGorrie) May 16, 2017

@JeffreeStar, rather than paying $2000AUD for a Chanel Boomerang you should look into investing in one one made by an Aboriginal Australian.

— LSP (@zzoeeseymour) May 15, 2017

Lowkey happy about the Chanel boomerang bc I have to write a 2500 word essay on the appropriation of aboriginal culture n needed sources

— ape-rol (@apewul) May 15, 2017

A Chanel spokesperson offered some sort of apology for the product, “Chanel is extremely committed to respecting all cultures, and regrets that some might have been offended.” Pretty weak, if you ask me, and unconvincing given how there is no move to pull the product from Chanel’s current line.
A boomerang was used as a hunting tool by the aboriginal Australians and is a symbol of their history. Aboriginal artist Bibi Barba told the BBC, “They are a cultural symbol for us. A lot of indigenous artists do artwork on them and this artwork is different in different parts of the country, it holds different meaning.”
It also comes off as tone-deaf from the brand as groups in Australia have long been fighting against selling souveneir boomerangs in airports and gift shops as they are oft made by a mass-production company that’s not even based in Australia.
Currently, this designer iteration of the tool is part of Chanel’s spring/summer 2017 pre-collection which also boasts of $425 tennis balls, a tennis racket, and a paddle.
[Allure]

By Olivia Estrada 

Photo courtesy of Chanel

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REAL AUTHENTICATION: HOW WE AUTHENTICATE DESIGNER HANDBAGS

REAL AUTHENTICATION : HOW TO AUTHENTICATE DESIGNER HANDBAGS 

Real Authentication offers top-tier online handbag authentication services to both individuals and resellers alike... but HOW? There are very specific sets of handbag authentication checkpoints we use to verify the authenticity of each designer brand we service. We have outlined a few of the handbag authentication checkpoints here for the Authentic Christian Dior Wallet With Chain below:

Coach to Buy Kate Spade in $2.4 Billion Deal

A statement released by Coach said the combined company will create a "leading luxury lifestyle company" supported by "significant expertise in handbag design, merchandising, supply chain, and retail operations."

The luxury retailer Coach announced on Monday that it agreed to buy Kate Spade for $18.50 a share, for a total transaction value of $2.4 billion.
The per-share acquisition price is 27.5% higher than Kate Spade's share price as of December 27, the last day of trading before deal rumors started affecting the stock price.
Still, it's 23% below a nine-month high of $24.10 reached February 27.
Shares for the handbag and accessories maker surged by 8.1% in premarket trading Monday, while Coach's stock was little changed.
"Kate Spade has a truly unique and differentiated brand positioning with a broad lifestyle assortment and strong awareness among consumers, especially millennials," Coach CEO Victor Luis said in the release.
Kate Spade has been under external pressure to do a deal since November, when the New York-based hedge fund Caerus Investors sent the company's board a letter pushing for a sale.
"We have become increasingly frustrated by management's inability to achieve profit margins comparable to industry peers," Caerus' founder, Ward Davis, and managing partner, Brian Agnew, wrote at the time.

ao here

The Best Designer Bags to Buy Now and Sell Later

Designer handbags are expensive: This is a fact. And that many shoppers prefer to pay less than the original retail price for them is another. Fortunately, there are a lot of places to do that online.

Resale itself is a billion-dollar industry; the annual revenue is an estimated $17 billion, and the category of handbags is particularly lucrative. High-end consignment sites like The RealReal and Vestaire Collective are owning this space, and making it incredibly simple (and more secure) to shop for pre-owned designer bags online, with the same type of customer service experience you’d find at any other reputable e-commerce site. Secondhand shopping has come a long way in the past few years.

So what’s worth your investment? Here, we asked Graham Wetzbarger, The RealReal’s senior director of authentication, which bags you should consider buying now if you’re looking to resell later.

---

What are some of the most popular bags on The RealReal right now? What are people going crazy for, or showing an increased interest in?

There are always going to be some staples: the iconic brands that are always in fashion, both on the high end and on the low end. The biggest names are Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. Those always have really high demand; they’re iconic, and because of their very high price point, people really seek them out on the secondary market.

Last year, Mansur Gavriel was huge, but now the bags sit for a few days. They still sell, but the sense of urgency is a little less than what it was. We’ve seen other brands come up and come down. Sometimes it has more to do with the silhouette and brands that cater to that silhouette. We’re seeing a big spike in Kate Spade right now, because they do a lot of really youthful and colorful bags. They also do tons of crossbody, just like Rebecca Minkoff. They’re an accessible price point, and the color palette is suited toward spring and summer. When people want a seasonal bag, they’re not going to go too expensive.

MCM is also really coming up. We’re seeing a customer who’s more street-style-driven than luxury Fifth-Avenue-driven, who’s loving cool sneakers and MCM backpacks and bags and baseball caps. Even some of these vintage MCM bags are doing really well.

A Delvaux bag.

Photo: Vanni Bassetti/Getty Images

What other shapes are big?

I think Lady bags — with a nice, sophisticated, gorgeous top handle — are back, and have been for a while. You see these from Delvaux, they’re gorgeous; Valextra has many that are stunning. And then the backpack is back, so hard. Everyone from Chanel to Mansur Gavriel and so many brands in between — everyone wants a backpack, and everyone is doing a backpack.

What are some of the best bags to buy now that’ll be worth the investment later on?

You can’t go wrong with Louis Vuitton monogram canvas. Not only is it very durable, but it holds its value, probably 70 percent of what you paid for it. And then when you consider the brand increases prices 10 percent every year, that’s a great ROI.

Something on the more entry-level price point is harder, because they tend to go on sale. Department stores will put things on sale seasonally, so you can get them retail at a lower price point. And there are just so many more of them made, so the secondary market gets a little bit flooded. You’re never going to get a really strong ROI on something like that — it needs to be slightly less approachable and more covetable than a mass brand. Finding those brands that don’t go on sale, have smaller production, and have bags that are very publicized are always going to have staying power.

Also, there are some silhouettes, even in Louis Vuitton, that wax and wane depending on what the house is doing now. These houses and these brands that have lots of history and deep archives are often pulling and resurrecting styles that have been out of production for a while, so that really has an influence and effect on the secondary market and on vintage items that are similar.

Photo: Christian Vierig/Getty Images

How long should you hang onto a designer bag before selling it?

In general, I always say a year. If you keep your bag for a year, it’s still going to be in great shape and still relatively on trend. And if it does have some spin of seasonality to it, in a year you’ll be back in that same season as when you bought it.

Sometimes, we can feel a trend before the data shows it. About four or five months ago, we kept getting more and more Rockstud Pumps from Valentino every day. At first we were like, “Awesome!” and then we were like, “Wow,” and then we were like, “Uh oh...” The data always comes a month later. So intuitively, that means it’s time to clear your Rockstuds. When the data starts showing that their velocity has slowed down and they’re taking longer to sell and the selling price point has gone down as well, that’s the sign that this trend is over.

Just like with technology, being an early adopter always helps. Trust your instincts. If you see something and you like it, go for it. If you start seeing a lot of other people carrying it or that style being replicated by other designers, you know it’s at its peak, and that’s a great time to part with your goods — before the trend is over. It’s just over-saturation. Mansur launched the bucket bag and it was huge, and every other designer started doing a bucket bag. It was popular for a minute, and there are a ton out there. So while there aren’t as many Mansurs, there are a ton of other facsimiles. So it just slows down and kind of kills the trend. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Original here

Customs seizes HK$10 million in fake products at popular Hong Kong street market in largest counterfeit haul in years

Watches, handbags and leather goods said to have sold at Ladies Market at five to 20 per cent of genuine products’ price

An investigation revealed the syndicate sold counterfeit goods at four hawker stalls in the market and used computer tablets to show clients photos of the products.

“Some clients were taken to its upstairs showroom nearby, which was packed with about 600 counterfeit products,” Fong said, adding that four nearby flats were used as warehouses.

He noted the investigation uncovered a female ringleader who went to the mainland regularly to purchase the fake products while a male mastermind was responsible for selling them locally.

After a month-long investigation, about 90 customs officers on Thursday swooped into action and raided the four hawker stalls, the secret showroom and the four warehouses.

Seven men and three women, including the two ringleaders, were rounded up in the operation. More than 10,000 fake products were seized, including watches, handbags and leather goods.

Fong said it was customs’ largest seizure of fake products in a single operation in the past three years.

“We believe the syndicate stocked up the large amount of goods to sell during the Christmas and New Year period,” he said.

On Friday afternoon, the 10 Hongkongers, aged 24 to 38, were being held for questioning. None of them had been charged.

Fong said the department would enhance its enforcement activities against counterfeiting during the holiday season.

He reminded traders that the sale of counterfeit goods was a serious crime, carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$500,000 fine and five years in jail.

Baton Rouge Store Arest Made - $1 Million in Counterfeit Items Seized from

Bocar Ba, 43, was arrested and charged with illegal use of counterfeit trademark in connection with the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods.
"It runs the spectrum from counterfeit Nike shoes, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach merchandise, clothing, pursues, shoes," said Bryan Cox Public Affairs Officer with the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Box after box was carried out of Fashion Express on Airline Highway as investigators took evidence they say was counterfeit merchandise worth more than $1 million.
Agents made one arrest during the raid and seized 3,082 pieces of fake designer shoes and purses.
Fashion Express is located at 5956 Airline Hwy.

The bust is a result of an ongoing joint investigation between US Immigration Customs Enforcement and the state's Attorney General's Office.
Bryan Cox said nationwide, businesses lose up to $2 billion each year to counterfeit vendors. He says every dollar made by a counterfeiter, is a dollar taken from businesses playing by the rules.
"Those are businesses that pay taxes, employ workers, contribute to the economy," said Cox
Cox says counterfeit items are usually brought in from overseas.

"If you know what a legitimate Michael Kors bag is, you can feel the material and see the quality of construction; just is not what a legitimate item would be. Not the same material, not the same weight the leather is of lower quality," he said
There are trained investigators who know the difference between illegal and real merchandise. He says those who counterfeit and are caught can face criminal and civil charges.
"It's illegal, it's a problem and it's something that we're looking for and we are going to find you."

$1.5M in Counterfeit Goods Seized & 5 Arrested in Nassau County

Photo: Alyssa Reichel, Fern Ciraolo, Jack Huzarsky and Elsa Bonilla
Search warrants conducted Monday morning led to five arrests and the recovery of an estimated $1.5 million worth of counterfeit designer pocketbooks, watches, jewelry and clothing, law enforcement officials said at a Tuesday press conference.
Among the many items recovered during the Nassau County counterfeiting sting, a Hermes birkin bag, which retails for $21,000, was being sold for only a couple hundred dollars, police say.
The birkin, along with a Chanel bag were some of the fake designer items recovered from a Woodmere location. Alyssa Reichel, 49, of North Woodmere, was arrested for the second time for selling fake merchandise out of Ego Trip inside the Cheveux Day Spa and Salon, located at 964 Broadway, police say.

A Chanel bag, which retails for $3,000 to $4,000, and a birkin bag were being sold by Reichel out of a North Woodmere location for a couple hundred dollars each, police say.

The recovered goods, taken from locations in Hewlett, Woodmere, Syosset and Westbury, were being sold out of homes, businesses and cars, police say.
Fern Ciraolo, 53, of Hewlett Harbor, was arrested after police conducted a search warrant at her home. “When we executed that warrant, there was a strong odor of marijuana in the house,” Nassau County Det. Sgt. Patrick Ryder said.
Police say they recovered marijuana, MDMA and acid from the home.

Fern Ciraolo’s 21-year-old son, Justin Ciraolo, was arrested and charged with felony drug possession.

Justin Ciraolo via NCPD

Others arrested during the search warrants were Jack Huzarsky, 74, of Syosset, and Elsa Bonilla, 31, of Westbury. Police also conducted a search warrant in the Hempstead area, but the woman was not at home at the time. An outstanding warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Recovered goods from the Syosset location.

Recovered goods from the Syosset location.

Recovered goods from the Hewlett location.

Recovered goods from the Westbury location.

Recovered goods from the Hempstead location.

Selling fake merchandise is a nonviolent, “housewife” crime that isn’t normally viewed by the public as a serious crime.
However, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas says counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. In fact, counterfeiting is a felony and those convicted face up to four years incarceration.
Counterfeit products are often synonymous with child labor and deplorable conditions, officials say. Fake goods are not tested and may contain toxic materials. Fake electronic equipment have been known to explode or items that people put on their skin or lips have caused burns, Singas says.
Counterfeiting also costs American businesses, including mom and pop stores, more than $250 billion annually, Singas says.
Homeland Security Inspector Jason Molina says all the goods recovered from these search warrants will be destroyed.
“The holiday season is prime time for counterfeiters,” Singas said. “The message for consumers is to be vigilant and buy only from trusted retailers.”

How do you know if a good is counterfeit or not?

• High-end brands do not sell their items out of cars, houses or on the street.
• Check for stitching and the quality of the goods.
• Logos may be blurred out or have subtle spelling errors, such as a "Bolex" watch instead of a Rolex watch.
• “If it’s too good to be true, it is,” Singas says.

Fern Ciraolo was charged with two counts of second-degree counterfeiting. Huzarsky was charged with second-degree counterfeiting. Reichel was charged with two counts of second-degree counterfeiting. Bonilla was charged with four counts of second-degree counterfeiting.
All four who face counterfeiting chargers were issued a desk appearance ticket returnable at First District Court in Hempstead. Justin Ciraolo, who was charged with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana, will be arraigned Tuesday at First District Court.

6 REAL REASONS FAKES ARE DANGEROUS

6 REAL REASONS FAKES ARE DANGEROUS

Counterfeit handbags, shoes, jewelry and accessories are not only illegal, they can be toxic to the economy, environment and even your health. According to CBS New York, the sale of counterfeit goods account for a detrimental $250 billion industry. Here are 6 reasons, the price simply does not justify the purchase:

1. Child LaborThe counterfeit market relies on cutting corners to maximize profits - this ideology unfortunately applies to every aspect of counterfeiting process. Counterfeiters do not abide by the standard government regulations put into place with intention to protect workers. Employees assembling counterfeit goods are often children, working for less than fair wages, in less than acceptable conditions. It is not uncommon for these underaged employees to be sent by their families to live and work in counterfeiting factories in order to help provide for their impoverished families back home. 

2. Counterfeit Goods Fund Illegal Activity

Many counterfeit operations are created as a front to launder money acquired from criminal activities. Most often, organized crime networks operate many illegal activities all at once and use the sale of counterfeit goods to either launder money or generate funds for other criminal activities like drug trade, human trafficking, sex trafficking, robbery or terrorist activities. All of these activities hurt both local and global economies as well as cause severe injury and harm to basic human rights.

3. Unsafe Working ConditionsTo make matters even worse, the factories themselves force unsafe working conditions upon their employees. Workplace safety is of no concern and many serious injuries often occur while on the job. Protective clothing such as masks and gloves are not provided to employees and therefore they work unprotected from toxic chemicals, dyes and unclean air quality clouded with dust, fumes, or even fabric particles from sewing, cutting or distressing fabrics. Exposure to these elements can cause serious longterm illness.

4. Health Risks and DiseaseOne of the most common health issues caused by poor working conditions is Silicosis, a respiratory disease that can lead to death if left untreated. Silicosis, is the result of silica dust particles entering the lungs and is most frequently acquired from sandblasting materials to achieve a 'distressed' look (thats right - the faded jeans that literally everyone wears). In 2009, over 20,000 workers suffered from this disease (due to workplace conditions) in China alone.

5. Negative Environmental ImpactLooking at the issue from an environmental standpoint, counterfeiting factories do not dispose of their waste properly or in accordance to any regulation. Surrounding communities can feel the affects by becoming unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals in their air, soil or water sources. Again, potentially leading to longterm illness and environmental issues.

6. They Can Kill You.Counterfeit goods can be hazardous to your health. The technical construction of counterfeit goods is under par at best. Materials used to make fake handbags, shoes, clothing and accessories are often completely toxic! This is primarily concerning when counterfeiting children's apparel, though the toxins can most certainly affect adults as well. Lead paint can often be found in counterfeit goods which is highly toxic and can be deadly if ingested or if the child puts their hands in their mouth after coming into contact with the product containing lead paint. Many of the fake handbags, shoes and accessories that we have seen over the years have a pungent plastic-like or even gasoline-like odor to them. This can undoubtedly be bad for not only your health but also the environment.

Currently, trade in counterfeit goods is estimated to be a $500 billion dollar global industry. By the year 2025 it is predicted that the global economic loss due to counterfeiting could reach $2 trillion dollars annually. In 2005, customs preformed 8,000 seizures of goods valued at more than $92 million. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 750,000 jobs are lost each year due to counterfeit goods. Please follow this link for an extensive report on the severity of counterfeiting in the global marketplace.

Real Authentication offers expert authentication services for luxury designer handbag brands like Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Burberry and many more. Our handbag authentication experts have truly studied the ins and outs of each and every brand we offer authentication services for. It may seem hard to believe, but with daily research of each designer handbag brand, we are able to confidently pass our expertise off to you through authentication, appraisal and identification services. We are always happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your preowned designer purchases. We specialize in handbag authentication but also provide many additional services you may need as well!

www.realauthentication.com

NEW CHLOE HANDBAGS FOR FALL / WINTER 2016

NEW CHLOE HANDBAGS FOR FALL / WINTER 2016

Whenever we think of Chloe handbags, we think casual yet elegant functionality. These three new Chloe styles are each quite unique, but definitely still fall into the casual elegance category. 

The Mily shoulder bag features a long chain link crossbody shoulder strap along with a short leather pochette length alternate strap. The bag is offered in Black as well as Biscotti Beige for $1950 USD.

The Lexa Cross-Body Bag seems more of a long shoulder bag than a crossbody style, however the style could still work as a crossbody style for petite frames. It has a secondary shorter shoulder strap and a large top flap to keep all your contents secure. The bag is sold in many colorways for Fall / Winter 2016 and is crafter of soft grained lambskin and smooth calfskin for a retail price of $2050 USD.

Last but certainly not least we have the classic, ever functional Milo Tote. This open top tote features two side zippers that gently resemble that of the 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli tote. The beautifully crafted smooth calfskin tote features a suede interior and is sold in an array of colors for Fall / Winter 2016. The retail for this versatile beauty is just $1250 USD.

Monogram Print is OUT! Its All About Minimalism and a Neutral Look

The logo 'It' bag is officially dead..........

In today’s fashion circles the once-trendy accessory just doesn’t carry the same weight that it used to. The need for loud, shouty branding is flailing in the midst of a sea change.

3.1 Phillip Lim Large Pashli 

But don’t just take our word for it, according to a recent report by market research group NPD a third of handbags bought by US customers in the last year have been quiet, discreet, no-logo carryalls.

Unsurprisingly, those over the age of 50 are the most unobtrusive consumers with 40 per cent opting for no-logo bags - but this isn’t a trend reserved solely for the more mature dresser.

Even Generation Z, a cast of consumers in their late teens and early 20s fixated on big branding are on board too, with their no-logo buying increasing by eight per cent.

Chloé 'Medium Marcie' Leather Satchel

“Consumers are becoming less focused on image and more focused on individuality – especially the younger generations,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at The NPD Group.

“While the cachet of designer logos is still relevant for many, the days of consumers looking to be a part of a designer or brand movement are waning in favour of their desire to find the style and function unique to their personality and lifestyle.”

In the 90s, logos were just as important, if not more important, than the clothes themselves and you had to decide which brands you were going to commit to. Maximalism reached fever pitch.

Oh what should we buying instead? Thanks in no small part to the success of indie brand Mansur Gavriel, whose pared-down bucket bag fired up the masses, brands like Michael Kors and Coach have cut back on their logo heavy handbags.

Instead, subtlety and a discreet, modern take on brand classics dominates. For Michael Kors, the Gracie is the most recent celebrity favourite, while the Mercer offers a chic take on the satchel.

Yves Saint Laurent Cabas Chyc Tote

Also going big with bags that promise to stand the test of time is Coach, who have just released Coach Icons; an installment of three key styles that have been reimagined from the archives to celebrate their 75th anniversary.

The Duffle, Saddle Bag and Dinky offer functionality and super-subtle details that give them an enduring appeal. What’s more, they tend to come at a relatively attainable price, not bargain bucket of course but they’re in general far cheaper than their heavily embroidered counterparts.

It’s refreshing to see the fashion cycle turn towards a trend that’s less about status and more about personal style. The reign of the logo handbag looks to be ending but these new iterations, while less commercial, look set to be just as popular among the fashion forward.

BALENCIAGA SPRING 2017 RUNWAY

BALENCIAGA featured some jaw droppingly large handbags during their Spring 2017 runway show. Looks like the large handbag trend is in full force after seeing such gigantic bags from the Celine show, Balenciaga is right on the same trend! 

Kim Kardashian was seen at the runway show and we can only anticipate the massive bags will soon be seen in her pre-spring wardrobe. How these novelty sized handbag will be integrated into day to day life? Only time will tell.

 

Much Growth in Luxury Handbags as LVMH Makes Gains

LVMH shares soared after its sales of luxury goods beat analyst estimates, proving its resilience to an industry slowdown and giving a boost to struggling competitors.

The stock closed up 4.5 percent to 164. 10 euros Tuesday in Paris, after gaining as much as 5.8 percent, the highest price since the Nov. 13 Paris terrorist attacks that provoked a drop in tourism and demand for luxury goods. Third-quarter sales rose 6 percent on an organic basis, beating the 4 percent expected by analysts. Increased demand for leather goods and fragrances fueled growth, with Asia improving significantly, the company said.

LVMH led gains in stocks such as Burberry Group Plc and Kering SA, the owner of Gucci. The luxury industry had been grappling with weaker demand in Asia, exacerbated by a slowdown in tourism to Europe following terrorist attacks. Last month Richemont, the maker of Cartier, warned that first-half earnings fell about 45 percent amid a slump in demand for Swiss watches, and Hermes International SCA abandonded a long-term sales growth target.

“The strong performance of the fashion and leather goods division and commentary about improvement in Asia should be taken positively for the soft luxury industry as a whole,” Zuzanna Pusz, an analyst at Berenberg, wrote in a note. 

For a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis of LVMH’s results, click here

LVMH said better results in Asia boosted sales growth at its biggest segment, fashion and leather goods, to 5 percent, the fastest pace in more than a year. Revenue from perfumes and cosmetics also bested estimates as Louis Vuitton introduced seven namesake fragrances.

In mainland China, sales picked up from mid-single-digit percentage growth in the first half to mid-teens in the third quarter, Chief Financial Officer Jean-Jacques Guiony said on a conference call. Chinese nationals were very active buyers both in and outside China, but it wasn’t clear whether this trend would continue, he said. Performance in Hong Kong also improved, while still in decline, the CFO said.“Hong Kong is still in negative territory,” Guiony said. “We were mid-teens negative and are mid-single-digit negative now.”

Richemont, which also owns fashion and accessories brands like Chloe and Alfred Dunhill, advanced 3.6 percent in Zurich. Swatch Group AG, the maker of Omega and Longines watches, ended the day up 4.1 percent. Hermes added 1.4 percent in Paris and Kering, whose Gucci brand is on the comeback trail, gained 1.5 percent.

The luxury industry has been suffering from a drop in tourism in Europe after last year’s terrorist attacks and the March airport bombing in Brussels. Demand for expensive timepieces has been hit the hardest lately. In July, Swatch reported its lowest first-half profit in seven years as demand cratered in Hong Kong, France and Switzerland.

-bloomberg.com

Discounted Authentic Louis Vuitton Bags? YES Please!

London, The Lowest Priced Louis Vuitton Bags in the World

 

Louis Vuitton Marc Newson Fleece Backpack

....Have you packed your bags yet? No pun intended!

How is this even possible you ask?  It's economics my Dear Watson!  With the fall of the Brittish pound back in June, dropping more than 17% against the American dollar - actually has some benefits. The cost of luxury goods, for the itme being, cost less in the UK after the conversion. 

According to research by Deloitte, the Speedy 30 Louis Vuitton handbag is $802 in London, compared with $850 in Paris, $970 in New York, and $1,115 in China.  All relative o course.

 

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandoulière 30 Aurore

"The trend in luxury pricing in the U.K. is being driven mainly by the depression in sterling – thus making the same item more affordable in the U.K. market than any other major luxury market," Nick Pope, the head of fashion and luxury at Deloitte, told the BBC.

‘People don’t like paying more for the same product.’

In fact, it’s said that 64% of comparable luxury goods are now cheapest in the UK.

Louis Vuitton Capucines GM

If ever, right now is the best time to buy your investment bag!

Louis Vuitton New 'World Tour' Bag Collection - Get Your Passport Ready!

Louis Vuitton Petite Malle World Tour Bag
L 7.1 x H4.7 x W1.6 inches
Price: $5750 USD, €3900 Euro

This collection has me packing my bags! Each bag in the World Tour collection resembles a time of yesteryear.  Bringing us back to the vintage days when it all started but keeping the classic look that is Louis Vuitton as we know it today. 

In 1936, Gaston-Louis Vuitton, Son of founder Louis Vuitton, took over the company. The World Tour line was inspired from Gaston-Louis Vuitton and his travels.

The collection is unique by accenting playful stickers embellished throughout each bag.  Each sticker representing a meaning or tribute to the Louis Vuitton brand.  You will find the collection is formed of iconic bags only.  

This is a limited collection so get them while before they're gone!

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bandouliere 30 World Tour Bag
L11.8 x H8.3 x W6.7 inches
Price: $1700 USD, €1215 Euro

Louis Vuitton Palm Springs Mini World Tour Bag
L5.9 x H8.7 x W3.5 inches
Price: $1960 USD, €1490 Euro

Louis Vuitton Alma BB World Tour Bag
L9.4 x H6.7 x W4.7 inches
Price: $1470 USD, €1095 Euro

 

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM World Tour Bag
L12.6 x H11.4 x W6.7 inches
Price: $1570 USD, €1180 Euro 

Things just got REAL... Celebrity Stylist Claims the 'REAL GUCCI' Graffiti Handbag was Copied

Sonique Saturday, from Los Angeles, who has made a name and following for herself within the fashion world with phrases like 'Fake Chanel' written upon designer bags. Saturday responded after social media fans noticed a similarity between her known work and a the new Fall Winter 2016 Gucci line.

The Gucci tote (above) featuring the slogan 'Real Gucci', was first seen on the catwalk during the 2016 Fall/Winter Milan Fashion Week show.  

Sonique Saturday has been creating artistic designs on designer handbags for four years giving them an edge with slogans including 'Fake Hermes' and 'You fake as this Birkin bag'

Saturday even had words for the Italian company "Run me my money Gucci, I'm excited to have my original ideas on your runway." Sharing this with her 3,800 followers via Twitter. 

Sonique's designs sell for up to $220 and while the Gucci bag is not yet on sale, the brand's accessories can cost thousands.  As seen below, Amber Rose is one of many who have purchased Saturday's exclusive designs. 

In the end, Saturday was thankful for the exposure from Gucci and the fashion world.  

What are your thoughts on this?  Should 'Gucci' recognize Saturday for her original designs?