Design piracy is an ongoing issue in the fashion world that a lot of people don't take seriously. While gathering information on this topic, I asked a few people their opinion on buying fakes and knock-offs and if they would or have in the past. Many saw no reason not to purchase fakes, listing the main benefit as the lower costs for a seemingly similar item. Although the original item is always of better quality, it's not always a large difference. I was surprised by the small amount of people that cared about buying fakes, and that nearly no one saw it as a crime.

I personally have never bought anything fake, but on the other hand, I've not bought any real and expensive designer pieces either. When I have money I intend to pick up a few designer bags and maybe some accessories, but I certainly can't justify spending so much money on pieces of clothing that I won't get to wear casually. As a fashion design student, and aspiring designer, I strongly disagree with copying other designers works directly. Of course everyone says that it is impossible to be completely original because everything in fashion is cyclical and nothing is new. That is true, but I'm talking more about exact copies, not similar silhouettes or colour schemes. I mean the stores that sell knock-off sunglasses, bags, shoes, or obvious duplicates of garments.

A designer puts a lot of work into creating clothes and accessories - I know this first hand. It is such a feeling of accomplishment when a piece is finished to perfection and to see that piece worn. I can only imagine the feeling of seeing my designs on a runway, or in a magazine, or on a celebrity on the red carpet. A lot of people don't understand how much piracy affects designers and most simply don't care. A long term effect is the damper it puts on the exclusivity of a franchise, but it also lowers their sales volume, and I'm sure it reduces their strive for creativity and makes them less willing to produce certain pieces, knowing that if the wrong person snaps a photo on the runway, it could be sent to production and knock-offs could be sold in stores faster than the original product hits the shelves.

I would never buy fake because I simply don't see the point. I would invest money into a designer piece if it were a designer I truly admired and wanted to support, someone I would be proud to wear and contribute funding to. I also know that in shopping, there is no greater rush than buying that unique piece you've been waiting for. Just browsing through Chanel boutiques in Paris sent shivers down my spine and sent me on a high. The looks on some of the women's faces as they purchased that perfect scarf, or necklace, were priceless. You don't get that sort of satisfaction buying a purse off the back of a truck in the city.

I also think fakes are rather silly, because most of the time if I see someone with a “designer” bag, they will willingly admit that it is not “real.” What's the point in buying it if you are telling everyone it is a cheap knockoff? Wasn't that the reason to buy in the first place, so people would see the label and either admire or shoot jealous glares? And even if it was purchased for the quality or comfort, there are a million places you can get plain bags or shades without the large D&G or LV labels.

There are trademark laws that work for designers and therefore in some ways, protect them under what is called the Lanham Act. A trademark is defined as any word, name, symbol, or device, or combination thereof that is used by a designer or corporation, to identify merchandise, and distinguish them from other designers and companies. This works well for words, emblems, logos or symbols and it is great for protecting designers against counterfeiters and gray marketers in some areas. For example, Chanel's interchanging C's as a symbol is protected by the company and therefore cannot legally be manipulated.

I have a different opinion on copying garments and styles because it is definitely a lot harder to catch and there are some benefits to the fashion cycle. There are no laws against copying garment styles, I think it would be very difficult to set those standards; but a lot of designers want action taken on this matter. One opinion I found online illustrated the benefit of copying to the fashion cycle and it basically works like this: A designer comes out with a new dress that is sold in stores, and soon copied and manufactured by another company. The dress then gets mass manufactured and sold at lower rates, making it more available to various people at various retailers and promoting popularity. Soon the trend becomes so big that it is no longer in fashion, and it wears out until the original designer comes out with a new idea. This helps move along the fashion cycle and reminds me a bit of a certain scene from The Devil Wears Prada. Although there aren't direct benefits to the original designers, it still works out trends faster and in ways still promotes the original design. There is also the notion that copying is the largest form of flattery, but somehow I hardly see that as a silver lining for designers losing millions a year due to design piracy.

Just be aware of what you are purchasing and whom you are affecting. It's as simple as putting yourself in the other persons shoes and goes further than just fashion, an imitation of an original defeats the purpose; I will always support the true designer for their work.

Harper's Bazaar has a campaign entitled Fakes Are Never In Fashion dedicated to exposing the criminal activities connected to the sale of counterfeit luxury goods- child labor, drug trafficking, and even terrorism. For more info visit www.FakesAreNeverinFashion.com