“We started chatting, as one does after watching strangers light money on fire for a good cause” 🤣favourite line I’ve read all day! Keep it up, loving this! 👏👏👏
One of the RepLadies subreddits was recently shut down. Seeing the images of super fakes next to authentic bags was eye-opening. In some cases they are indistinguishable.
Someone please do an investigative piece on superfakes of vintage bags. Recently hit a lot of famous vintage shops in Tokyo and some of those Chanels were definitely suspect.
I go to China for work a lot. “I heard through acquaintances” You develop a relationship with a stall owner in Shenzhen or Shanghai, they “know a guy” and get you whatever you want. Want Loewe sandals? Send a picture, they’ll have them made for $100 by one of their suppliers about an hour outside of town and ready for pickup a week or month later or so. The cheap bags are all on display but if you want a mid tier, they’ll bring it to you in a black bag (the police turn an eye) and sell it for $100-$150. The super SUPER “real” fakes run around $500-$600. They’re hand stitched. The lesser fakes use a machine for the stitching.
Fascinating!!! Thank you for sharing. I cut a story (for length) out of here about a woman known on Substack who proudly flaunts a Hermes collection people presume is real but it was discussed over brunch years ago where in Europe she bought the fakes… 😆
Fascinated by the time share table concept. I interviewed to work for a members club in tribeca that was doing this a while back as a way to raise money as they grew. It was unclear if it worked. I guess time will tell
I interned for a fashion stylist / west village socialite in college(early 2000) who told me there’s a guy in France that works for Hermes who mails swatches to someone in nyc and then you buy fake real ones through some chain of command there. Didn’t get a lot of details beyond that
Hi Carson, great read! I write extensively about superfakes (and Hermès game fatigue) for Glitz. I once investigated a superfake artisan (!) who makes made-to-order Birkins using “Hermès Cuirs Précieux” (very legitimate Hermès leather deadstock, owned by the House). A crocodile Birkin would cost around $6,000. People were willing to pay to bypass the entire game you have to go through to get one directly from Hermès. What was really funny is that most of his customers were already Hermès clients; they simply couldn’t bear waiting years to get the bag they wanted.
About a year ago, I was in deep talks (read, What’s App exchanges) with a reputable deep fake broker. I chickened out last minute bc I hadn’t met her in person and hadn’t been to a “very legal-looking” living room party. That would have reassured me! Does anyone really wire over 1k and then hope they get a good bag? 🤔
After I attended, I couldn’t stop wondering where she got them all. They were so good! I’ve spent a lot of time in Hermes (I have my own SA) and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference
Love this take. In a city like NYC, it’s refreshing to see women who can afford it but know they don’t need a real BRAT green Birkin for what was ultimately a short-lived BRAT Summer lol.
I would be honored if someone described my living room as “very legal-looking.”
“We started chatting, as one does after watching strangers light money on fire for a good cause” 🤣favourite line I’ve read all day! Keep it up, loving this! 👏👏👏
❤️❤️❤️ appreciate you
One of the RepLadies subreddits was recently shut down. Seeing the images of super fakes next to authentic bags was eye-opening. In some cases they are indistinguishable.
Someone please do an investigative piece on superfakes of vintage bags. Recently hit a lot of famous vintage shops in Tokyo and some of those Chanels were definitely suspect.
I didn’t even know they made superfakes of vintages bags! Thank you for reading!
I go to China for work a lot. “I heard through acquaintances” You develop a relationship with a stall owner in Shenzhen or Shanghai, they “know a guy” and get you whatever you want. Want Loewe sandals? Send a picture, they’ll have them made for $100 by one of their suppliers about an hour outside of town and ready for pickup a week or month later or so. The cheap bags are all on display but if you want a mid tier, they’ll bring it to you in a black bag (the police turn an eye) and sell it for $100-$150. The super SUPER “real” fakes run around $500-$600. They’re hand stitched. The lesser fakes use a machine for the stitching.
Fascinating!!! Thank you for sharing. I cut a story (for length) out of here about a woman known on Substack who proudly flaunts a Hermes collection people presume is real but it was discussed over brunch years ago where in Europe she bought the fakes… 😆
Fascinated by the time share table concept. I interviewed to work for a members club in tribeca that was doing this a while back as a way to raise money as they grew. It was unclear if it worked. I guess time will tell
Haven’t heard anyone but Rao’s doing it but I think it’s the most exclusive thing you can do…till interest in the restaurant collapses…
I interned for a fashion stylist / west village socialite in college(early 2000) who told me there’s a guy in France that works for Hermes who mails swatches to someone in nyc and then you buy fake real ones through some chain of command there. Didn’t get a lot of details beyond that
That’s both Insane and amazing! All this stuff blows my mind. So much exists people never talk about…. We all need to start talking 🤫
Hi Carson, great read! I write extensively about superfakes (and Hermès game fatigue) for Glitz. I once investigated a superfake artisan (!) who makes made-to-order Birkins using “Hermès Cuirs Précieux” (very legitimate Hermès leather deadstock, owned by the House). A crocodile Birkin would cost around $6,000. People were willing to pay to bypass the entire game you have to go through to get one directly from Hermès. What was really funny is that most of his customers were already Hermès clients; they simply couldn’t bear waiting years to get the bag they wanted.
Noëmie! Do you have more stories like that? I should interview you ❤️
I spend my days writing about stories like that ! you should check up Glitz you'd love it. DM me if you want an access :) https://www.glitz.paris/en
Yes when I linked you (to correct the Daily Mail link) in the last newsletter I saw it, but I think we should chat with you as an expert!
would love to! lets get in touch
I think I’m more interested in your college secret society now 😂
About a year ago, I was in deep talks (read, What’s App exchanges) with a reputable deep fake broker. I chickened out last minute bc I hadn’t met her in person and hadn’t been to a “very legal-looking” living room party. That would have reassured me! Does anyone really wire over 1k and then hope they get a good bag? 🤔
After I attended, I couldn’t stop wondering where she got them all. They were so good! I’ve spent a lot of time in Hermes (I have my own SA) and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference
I can tell you the #1 maker (at least a year ago they were the top one).
Did it cost an arm and a leg? How much was it?
Not bad at all- around 1k USD for a Birkin 40. A bit more depending on the leather choice.
I’m sat for this !!!
I love you Bebe!!!
Such a fun start!
Thank you! Give me your feedback after a week 😆
Obsessed
Love this take. In a city like NYC, it’s refreshing to see women who can afford it but know they don’t need a real BRAT green Birkin for what was ultimately a short-lived BRAT Summer lol.
Hahahah yes!
Oh this is goooooood
Not the same thing at all but this flashed me back to Jennifer Coolidge on SATC and her “purse party” 🤣 love all the intel!
oh I 100% thought of that while I was there and also while writing it again 😆 same page!
Love!