Gucci may turn red in the face too, soon, and Prada bag owners probably are now.

Gucci is coming up with a special collection which will be available only in Hong Kong and China Gucci stores.Oh, I definitely think these may be the most counterfeited items of the year!

Introducing the Collection...
1. The collection is called 8-8-2008, can't get any luckier, especially so for the mahjong set.
2. The predominant colour is RED, which is a favourite Chinese colour.
3. The collection epitomises sport luxury - so I guess anyone going for the Olympics game can pick up a counterfeit one as a souvenir. The bicycle may be difficult to carry through customs though.

Knowing the very enterprising Chinese, they may even design some accessories like key chains and small purses along the same theme to increase revenue, or poker cards too!






I have seen a fako LV mahjong set on sale in Shenzhen before. Does LV make mahjong sets in the first place?

It has been reported that most of the counterfeit products in China are sold to foreign tourists, so these bags and even the pandas should be all over US and Europe after the Big games, however due to the lucky number and colour connotation, the real and fake versions may prove popular with the Chinese as well. Maybe not so hot with Singaporeans who may deem them too cheena and not classic enough, as, besides, even if you're carrying the real deal, people will assume it's fake anyway.

Honestly the bags look really easy to counterfeit, as monogram bags usually are. Gucci really makes it easy for the counterfeiters.

We shall see what happens in 6 months, I shall report on whether we are drowning in Gucci red bags and watches over here.

All images from Gucci press statement.

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Someone commented on the purse blog that Prada manufactures its bags in China, and "finishes" them in Italy, which allows the brand to label all as "Made In Italy". This comment arises as the most coveted Prada bags of the spring/summer collection, the ones pictured below, bleed all over. A friend of mine also recently stated that she'll never buy Prada again, as her long wallet also went the kamikaza way shortly after she bought it. Aiyoh no quality control!

Personally, I don't have any issues with bags made wherever, as long as the quality standards are maintained. I'm just annoyed that people assume that if there are quality problems, the item must have originated from China. I'm also annoyed that the "Made in wherever" labels are deceitful, but this is probably because the luxury houses know they simply cannot label the product as "Made 95% in China, and only handles made in Italy".