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What’s Your Knock-Off Story?

by on Apr 25, 2007

A few years back, Herman Miller launched their “Get Real” campaign in an effort to “promote the genuine articles.” It’s completely understandable that designers and artists go to great lengths trying to prevent others from profiting off their intellectual property.

However, the world being what it is, we probably all know where we can buy knock-off Ray-Bans, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton handbags. But the question is, should we buy them? And if we do, do we confess to their fakiness? Or is it a matter of circumstance? For example, let’s say we have a Chiuhuly-looking flutter bowl snagged at a local craft fair setting on our mantelpiece. Someone says, “Nice Chihuly!” Do we smile and say, “Thanks,” and let them think we’re rolling in dough, or do we ask in return, “Are you on crack? and ‘fess up?” OR do we only confess if they ask outright, responding “No, it’s not a Chihuly” or, my personal favorite, “Do you think it’s a Chihuly?”