Skip to main content
BoF Logo

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

Opinion: This Economy Is Ripe for Fake and Copycat Luxury Goods

Rising prices, shifting consumer tastes and manufacturing scandals are eroding trust in luxury, giving counterfeiters and dupe-makers new opportunities to win over shoppers seeking style at a more accessible cost, writes Andrea Felsted.
Birkin-maker Hermès is facing scrutiny around its sales practices.
A bag that bore an uncanny resemblance to a Birkin was briefly for sale on Walmart’s website in December for $78. (Getty Images)

It’s not you, it’s me.

Please sign in to ensure you can read our agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice. Or get in touch at support@businessoffashion.com if you experience difficulties.

Further Reading

Why the ‘Walmart Birkin’ Struck a Nerve

There are countless “dupes” for luxury goods available, but the fact that a copycat version of Hermès' ultra-coveted bag attracted so much attention online speaks to a shift in consumer sentiment around buying knockoffs.

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Luxury
How rapid change is reshaping the tradition-soaked luxury sector in Europe and beyond.

What Happened at Coperni Owner Tomorrow Ltd.?

The London-based showroom-turned-brand incubator, which also owns Martine Rose, is being sold to Italy’s Andrea Ciccoli. Founder Stefano Martinetto breaks down the move for BoF in this week’s High Margin luxury newsletter.


view more
Latest News & Analysis
Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

The Industry That Eats Its Young

Small fashion labels have always been shortchanged by their wholesale partners. A wave of high-profile bankruptcies has turned a structural injustice into an existential crisis. There is a better way to do business, writes Imran Amed.


The Zara-Fication of John Galliano

Fashion’s enfant terrible is trading exclusivity for the mass market. Is it the ultimate fashion coup, or the final surrender of prestige?


The Impact of War on Fashion’s Supply Chain

Textile hubs are already feeling the cascading risks of the conflict in Iran as Washington ramps up forced labour probes to revive tariffs, while decarbonisation in fashion’s factories might finally have a standard to go off of.


VIEW MORE
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON