How To Spot a Fake: Why It Pays To Pay More.



Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

by Annie Deakin
Annie Deakin

Why buy the real McCoy?

Can any chair really be worth ten times more than another? Certainly, says Elle Decoration Editor and authenticity champion Michelle Ogundehin. 'Fakes are invariably produced using lesser quality materials, often in substandard factory conditions and with little consideration for human rights. As such they devalue the meaning of good design at every level,' she asserts.

Authorised designs are made by trained, dedicated craftsmen and will last a lifetime. Plus, the smart money speculates to accumulate a genuine piece holds its value and some will even increase, particularly if the design goes out of production and becomes hard to find. Imitations won't.

Who's behind it?

Find out who the manufacturer is and who the authorised retailers are. Beware of words such as in the style of', inspired by', or reproduction' in the product description. It will probably be a copy.

Pay attention to detail

Look for distinguishing features. Castiglioni's Arco lamp, for example, is always 2.2m high and has a vertical counter weight; imitations are usually smaller and have a horizontal counter weight. Eames Lounge chairs should have five legs while many imitations have four. Don't buy on impulse. If it looks like a bargain but you aren't sure, do some further research.

Check for ID

Most original pieces will have the designer's signature or a serial number. The Barcelona chair has a serial number under the fork, the Tulip chair and table have a Knoll logo on the base and Eames Loungers are stamped with a Vitra logo. Arne Jacobsen chairs have a Jacobsen signature under the seat and the Panton table has a raised Panton signature where the chair meets the floor. For other designs, contact the manufacturer and ask how to distinguish their product from a copy.

Get materialistic

Original designs, right down to the tiniest details, will be lovingly made of the highest quality materials. If it feels or looks flimsy, you're right to be suspicious.

Fair play

Authorised manufacturers often commit to ethical working practices, pay their craftspeople a fair wage and use environmentally-friendly manufacturing methods. Peter Younie, MD of lighting specialist Cameron Peters says the rise of fake pieces means there will be fewer classics in the future. 'Companies who make copies and swamp the market drive designers out of the business,' he says. 'They make the world a more boring place.'

Cheap and cheerful

If your budget is limited don't despair. 'There are exciting alternatives to buying shoddy fake goods,' says Chrystina Schmidt, who runs design store Skandium. 'I think it's great to find second hand things and be creative with them. If you're looking for a chair, buy a second-hand one, repaint it and make it your own. It beats a fake any day.'

Annie Deakin is a journalist, fashion and furniture expert and editor at mydeco.com who is currently interested in chairs, storage and coffee table.
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