I apologise if I seem shallow...

... But the fact is, I cannot condone the purchase of a fake/imitation.

Yes, I do feel very strongly about this matter and No, I do not take a commission from LV for advocating the real stuff.

If you know me and my mini collection (ok, well, maybe 3 LVs and 2 Coaches don't exactly constitute a collection, but for the want of a better word, pls pardon me k?) , I don't carry imitations and I don't own any LV monogram bags to date. Reason? I don't want people to scrutinise my bag and because of my age think that I am carrying a fake. Age should never have anything to do with the love for the better things in life.

That said, I personally find it terrible when people are actually encouraging the trade of fakes. I really don't care how AAA grade they are. The fact is, fakes are fakes and any good SA or Bag Hag will be able to tell in a split second.

Why do people want designers labels? For the prestige that comes with totting a Gucci handbag or LV cardholder in Orchard Road right? For the dignity it brings to the eyes of others when the ratty shopper presents her Prada wallet right? Then why bring yourself down to the lowest rank of the bag hag hierarchy by being a wannabe?

Does the imitator really think that she/he can rise to become a bag hag just by totting a fake? Do he/she honestly think that no one can tell the real thing from the fake? Does he/she know that behind the crocodile smiles and nodding heads that the society is frowning inwardly at the recognition of the fake?

Honestly! If you don't mind spending $100 to buy a fake, then I suggest that the wannabe just buys a Guess.

I got my first LV Speedy in black epi when hubby bought me one as a souvenir during our trip to Paris. I worked hard to save for my LV Damier Ribera paid out of my own pocket.

True, no doubt a real LV costs about the price of maybe 10 fakes, but does the imitator honestly feel the same self-worth from the real thing? It's all fine if the imitator wants a bag not to last but just to tot around for a while before going on to the next one, or if its just for a frivolous moment. But the branding stays on you! Once a fake, always a fake! Even if the day comes when the imitator really buys the real thing, no one is ever going to believe that its the real thing because the imitator has been faking all along!

OK, let's say that the fake is really a good fake. So good that no one can tell (yea, right.. as if)... the thing is, why spend $100 on a fake? Why not buy say, erm.. Aldo instead? Or Guess? Or even Zara and Mango?

My take is, don't buy it if you can't afford it. Trust me, people can tell. So why fool yourself? You'll only be seen as nothing more as a wannabe...

Don't support fakes, please.... you'll only lower your self-esteem in time and not increase it.