Vera Wang designs vulnerable to counterfeits!
Shortly after Bill Clinton walked daughter Chelsea down the aisle on his arm at her high-profile wedding over the weekend in Rhinebeck (NY), local news anchors reported on the stunning wedding gown designed by leading fashion designer, Vera Wang.
In follow-up newsbites, young brides-to-be were invited to stay tuned, to learn how they could "whip" up the same pricey "look" for their own special occasion at the altar to fall within their budget constraints.
You betcha!
Right now, in back-door shops around the country, a host of dress designers are probably tossing together wedding gowns that echo the exquisite gown worn by Chelsea at a fraction of the cost.
It's called a "knock-off - and the practice of copy-catting - is a prevelant trend in the highly-competitive fashion industry.
But, when a clothing manufacturer steals a design outright and stamps it with a designer's label (without permission or license) - of Vera Wang, for example - that is a fraudulent act which prompts Law Enforcement to sit up and take notice.
In fact, on Tuesday, prosecutors announced that they just conducted a sweep and have charged operators of eight boutiques in the Bay area, for allegedly turning out designer fakes which were actually cut-and-seamed together in China.
According to the US attorney for Northern California and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the twenty-five count indictment is part of the largest federal enforcement action ever taken against West Coast retailers suspected of selling counterfeit designer apparel and accessories.
And, the government takes these matters seriously for good reason.
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"Trademark infringement and intellectual property crime not only cost this country much needed jobs and business revenues, but the illegal importation of substandard products can also pose a serious threat to consumers' health and safety," an official noted in a terse press release on the heels of the arrests.
The accused knock-off artists were charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the U.S., and trafficking in counterfeit (fake) goods.
"To consumers who think designer knock-offs are a harmless way to beat the system and get a great deal, 'buyer beware','" said ICE Director John Morton.
"The investigation has led to the seizure of nearly 100 million dollars worth of counterfeit merchandise [based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) had the products been legitimate]," a statement said.
The luxury-brand fakes were packaged under known product names such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Nike, Armani, and Coach.
Tourists may have been hood-winked by the clever fakes that show up on retail shelves in the form of tony handbags, luxurious scarves, designer sunglasses, butter-smooth leather wallets, and snazzy eye-catching watches.
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