Counterfeit couture: ‘We must make it harder for these syndicates to copy’
Sought-after designers like Gert-Johan Coetzee, Thebe Magugu and Maxhosa have been struggling with fake replicas of their high-end designs flooding the market. Leonie Wagner investigates
02 June 2024 - 00:00
Irish poet Oscar Wilde said “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness”, but designer Gert-Johan Coetzee finds no solace in the wave of counterfeits tarnishing his brand. For Coetzee, what was once a nod to his influence has become a threat to his artistry and the integrity of the South African fashion industry...
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