LoveToKnow Shoes:AllComments

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Bethany, thanks so much for your comment. Some brands are quite brazen when it comes to their "replicas." Steve Madden was recently sued by Alexander McQueen for copying - there's no other word for it, really - a McQueen bootie style. It can be a dangerous game for those designers who choose to replicate. There's a fine line between "inspired by" and "copied," I think.

-- Contributed by: Tsharma

I agree with both of you in a way. I own alot of authentic items, and some replicated ones as well. I always buy authentic bags because they do last a long time. Also, the handbag styles don't change quite as often as clothing does. I do own replicated shoes though. I don't see the point of spending a thousand dollars on a pair of Christian Louboutin heels that are just going to get torn up on my feet. I can always spot a fake handbag. But, there are some really great replica heels out now that know one can tell the difference.

-- Contributed by: Bethany

Thanks for your comment. To clarify, we have no connection whatsoever with Louis Vuitton or any other label. The truth of the matter is that the replica market is going strong and will continue to do so as long as consumers are willing to pay for counterfeit products.

The average consumer may not be able to afford the newest pair of Louis Vuitton or Chanel heels, but a replica does the consumer no favors in the long run. Sure, it may resemble the original ever so slightly, but a trained eye (or a big fan) will be able to discern real from fake right away. The materials are often fake and the quality is almost always inferior. There's no denying that, particularly when said shoe begins to fall apart after a handful of wears. The same likely will not be said about the high-end shoe, no matter what the label might be.

I do agree with your point that there is a tremendous amount of focus placed on status, and people buy fakes simply so that it appears that they can afford the real thing. There's something grossly wrong about investing in products that are essentially pretending to be something they are not.

On the other hand, an "inspired" shoe is one that is similar but not identical, and chances are a known label makes it. This is always a much better option than a replica, and affordable, to boot.

By the way, there are plenty of Louis Vuitton shoes available for less than $1000, to quote your figure.

-- Contributed by: Tsharma

That was a very heroic tale indeed. Sponsored by LV are we?

Tell me where in the world you can get a pair of LV shoes for less than $1000 - and in addition to that - calculate the change in fashion over the aforementioned "decades" that you will be wearing this pair of shoes that was already out of fashion when it hit the market in the first place - in addition to the number of pairs of ordinary/replica pairs of shoes that you could buy with that aforesaid $1000.

Let's be realistic - wearing branded material of any desciption is harldy ever about the quality and workmanship that goes into the item (these days), yet more about the amount "look at me" value you get out of the product.

-- Contributed by: Enter your name here

You make a very valid point, Trajan. The fact is that counterfeiters only copy the big names that people covet. In fact, some designers - Marc Jacobs comes to mind - have expressed some delight over having their work copied. It's part of the fashion "game," so to speak, and it's not going to end anytime soon. Those who shop for a "lookalike" will easily find one everything from street stalls to online boutiques. In the end, though, the huge difference is quality, which is almost always severely lacking.

-- Contributed by: Tsharma

The people buying replica merchandise would never pay 500 for a pair of LV shoes. These people only window shop at places like Saks, Neiman Marcus, or Barneys. So the original copyright holders are not losing any business over this and traditional LV customers still own the bragging rights with their original store bought merchandise. Since LV has been seriously knocked offed the company has only grown bigger. Just look at the amount of different products coming out of the company's collection compared to 10 years ago.

-- Contributed by: trajan

WB, you can take them to an authorized Louis Vuitton retailer and have them checked there.

-- Contributed by: Tsharma

I have what I think are genuine size 39 ladies Louis vuitton, slip on brown "triangular half top covering toes" shoes stamped vero cucio size 39 with what looks like no miss print/ aligned Louis Vuitton brand name etc where is my best point(s) of reference to check that these are genuine? They werre received as a gift and I dont want to insult the giver by questioning...Thanks

-- Contributed by: WB
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