An Analysis of Counterfeit Culture in Fashion Essay

Among the social constructs that exist in most cultures and societies, fashion is probably one of the most ambiguous; it can be purposive yet frivolous, essential yet expressive, and functional yet influential.   What started as mere protection from the elements has become a global industry that defines generations and mindsets, producing lifestyles and preferences that are adhered to by large segments of world population.   This phenomenon is linked to the creation of brands and branding—symbols of a particular lifestyle choice that may reflect certain values and beliefs, which ultimately translate into an economy marked by persuasion and aspiration. Popular culture has appropriated fashion and its related concepts in a multitude of ways, and has contributed to the growth of a significant number of brands.   An excellent example of this is the practice of celebrity endorsement, wherein brands are assigned to famous individuals—those who have gained success and equivalent reputations in their chosen areas of expertise—and fashion is probably the most visible.   The lure and appeal of these celebrities instantly affect consumer behavior, and assure economic success for the fashion brand owner. Likewise, a celebrity increases his or her status by being associated with brands that have a positive, aspirational image—which is then communicated to the consumer.   This is perhaps the single most important reason why certain brands are coveted; and such desire is measured in its practical effects:   increased sales, brand growth, and higher tag prices.   However, these results also correlate with negative practices, and one of the most controversial is the production of counterfeit goods. The journey of the garment, which is the basic unit of fashion, traces a long road from its beginnings in the mind and hands of its creator—the designer—who must have included the necessary components for protection and expression, combined with style.   Now, a single garment already connotes bigger concepts of identity and socio-political notions; but the dangers of counterfeiting threatens to redefine the social and political aspects associated with an original creation, as well as the stripping of its unique identity. If the goal of counterfeiting is to help individuals with their status and self-esteem issues, then the act could be evaluated on the level of psychological support and alternative means of coping; but since counterfeiting fashion goods is not ever likely to have this altruistic objective at its core, there can be no other way to define it but downright stealing and infringement. Counterfeiting, as evident in its proliferation worldwide, is a profitable business; people involved in it—the producers and consumers—are liable for their actions.   While consumers could be incorrectly seen as passive participants in the transaction, producers have no other reason to be in it but to claim rights and profits meant for the original source. II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Practice of Counterfeiting Fashion Counterfeit goods are defined by Rutter and Bryce (1146) as â€Å"those which illegally imitate, copy or duplicate a good or use a trademark without authorization†, and thus are subject to certain parameters and criteria that will reveal its true source.   The practice of counterfeiting is a trade no longer new, but its occurrence in fashion and its high-profile industry has produced effects that delve not just on appropriating someone else’s ideas—it is now an industry in itself, founded on the copied factors of design and appeal, and, most importantly, on the deliberate attempt to claim the benefits originally meant for the source. Key in this discussion is the level of desire associated with a particular fashion item, which necessarily stems from the popularity and reputation achieved by a brand.   In order to sustain this kind of exclusive image, most fashion brands use leverage on price and availability—the more expensive and limited, the better chances they have for assuming desire, apart from the given quality and originality of design. Therefore, if a fashion item is deemed unreachable or exists in limited quantities, it almost always translates to promoting want and desire in consumers.   Take for instance the Hermes Birkin, an ordinary-looking ladies’ handbag that uses the strategy of exclusivity; with its hefty tag price and buying procedure of having prospective buyers on a list that may be addressed after months—even years—the item has realized its status as a must-have for the status seeker. Counterfeiting enters the picture at this point, taking advantage of the limited production and availability.   Fake Birkins are now introduced, which greatly diminishes the value placed on the original, whether or not marks of identification are put in place.   International fashion brands have become victims of the counterfeiting trade, based on the documented $15.8 billion in terms of losses in total sales of all counterfeited products (Rutter and Bryce 1148).   The original standpoints on the social and political meanings of fashion within the areas of identity and culture have now been taken over by the issues of equality and class. III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   China and the Economy of Counterfeiting The process of counterfeiting in its affinity with controversy would not have reached great heights if not for the participation of the producer and the consumer.   News and information in recent years have pointed to specific locales where counterfeiting originates on a large scale, and China—the biggest among several countries involved in the practice—is perhaps the most significant player in the industry. With its huge land area and population, the ascent of China toward economic superiority is apparent, and is acknowledged as the potential determinant of world fashion and its future (Mead 419).   However, its issues regarding its history and politics have pushed the Chinese toward a work ethic of hardship and the idea of quantity (Mead 424), believing that this attitude equates to a richer, better life.   Its sheer size and the persevering quality of its people have made China a major target of international companies, in the same way acknowledging that China has the capability of producing any random commodity required by the market (Pang 120). These two factors, size and capacity, are the same factors that have allowed the Chinese to take on jobs that pay less than required by their Western counterparts, thus making them the perfect players in the goal of mass-producing consumer goods.   Apparel brands such as Nike and Adidas (Pang 129), to name a few, have been manufactured in China for some time; the presence of these coveted brands in the same work environment can eventually give rise to their counterfeit versions. China should not be mistaken as a country that disrespects ownership and originality of ideas; in fact, its history should always be appropriated, and the connections between the past and present should be made.   Work and production were the landmarks of Maoist China, and its recent adoption of capitalism has resulted in a fanaticism for Western brands. Putting these two together would allow one to understand the motivations behind the culture of counterfeiting in China—as it is but a product of opposing cultural and social values informed by history.   However, countries like China and other bastions of counterfeiting will not be able to justify their business any longer; stricter rules on counterfeit goods have been put in place in major locales around the world, and arguments of tradition and historical events will soon become passe and inconsqeuential. IV.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Fashion Consumer in the Counterfeit World The consumer of counterfeit goods in general is often referred to as the ‘other’ (Rutter and Bryce 1149), and rightly so—for the consumption of products already known to be fake and copied reveals a statement that corresponds to the consumer’s social, political, and economic status, as well as ideology.   These are people who have been excluded from the privilege of affording merchandise that may be too costly or unavailable, yet possess a desire to achieve the same effects gleaned from ownership.

Can Control of Written Language Create or Reinforce Power? Essay

By Daniel Whiting Language is the basis of communication between people, therefore if you ban the use of specific written language you are banning the communication of the ideas behind that language between people. People will still be able to formulate their ideas about the controversial subject but will find it difficult to spread the news on a large scale. This is because most widespread media is in written form like newspapers, books and most online content. In our history lessons we have studied the rule of Joseph Stalin and how he maintained total control over the USSR. He held strict censorship over the countries newspapers and any literature regarding the Soviet way of life and his riegn. Anything condemning the Bolshevik leadership or critisising them in any way was banned. This clearly helped stop the spread of anti- Stalinist feelings amongst the Russian people and helped grant Stalin unchallenged rule right up until his death. This is similar throughout many single party dictatorships in history for example Nazi Germany and Mao’s China. Many people may argue that banning certain written language is not a way to insure power. They argue that humans will create other words and phrases to get their ideas communicated. For example many famous fable writers even go as far as to disguise the meaning of their stories behind other language that does not literally mean the same thing. This way they could spread their criticism of the other without the risk of being accused of directly defying the ban. The banning of certain written language can have a negative effect on our gaining of knowledge. It is depriving our brains from gaining further information from which we can learn from and use in the future. It can be argued however that most of the banned written language in modern civilized countries in the west for example is banned for the protection of the reader and to stop the spread of problems like racism and sexism. It can be justified because of the fact that it is trying to protect the pillars of modern society rather than deceiving people into oppression that is commonly linked with countries ruled under a ruthless dictatorship. Controlling written language can be overcome through clever tactics that find a way around the ban. However it has been proven to significantly hinder the spread of ideas that may challenge one’s power therefore it can be a useful tool in enforcing and maintaining your power.

The Grand Inquisitor - The Hidden Meaning Assignment

The Grand Inquisitor - The Hidden Meaning - Assignment Example The theme of this extract is woven around the idea of Christ revisiting earth during this time and at this particular place, when the Grand Inquisitor gets Him arrested on the charge of being a heretic. Many critics have tried to interpret this extract as a satire aimed at the modern theology in general and on the Roman Catholic Church in particular. However, a thorough and well meditated reading of the text, emphatically leads to the conclusion that The Grand Inquisitor is a narrative imbued with multiple meanings, a catechism for modern times, which unravels the deeper meaning of faith and grace, while to all intents and purposes, pretending to shatter the very ideals that constitute the core of the Christian faith. Perhaps the author has purposefully left the meaning of this parable to be ambiguous; thereby allowing faiths of all hews and shades to interpret it in consonance with their beliefs and values. One particular thing to be noted about this parable is that it is set in the times of Inquisition. In that context the Inquisition is not merely to be interpreted as a mere incident in the European history, but rather a slice of time when the religion had utterly ossified, deprived of all living force and verve, vehemently sustaining itself by lighting the piers of hundreds of so called heretics amidst all the courtly sophistication and urban fanfare. Dostoevsky paints the gory details of Inquisition at the very start of the parable. So, if one interprets the things in that perspective, one comes around a sense of faith that had ceased to be life giving and salvaging, cruelly nipping all curiosity and enquiry in the very bud, while believing it to be the custodian of the ultimate mysteries of life. Amidst this enervating ambience, Dostoevsky draws the advent of Christ as the influx of a gush of fresh air amidst the fires of hell. The coming of Christ is presented by the writer as an event that is promising of healing and life. Surprisingly, even after a gap of fifteen hundred years, the laity in the parable is able to recognize Christ. The author does not extend any logical explanation for this fact. Yet, the people are shown as flocking around Him, as a herd of wayward sheep gathers around its shepherd. Christ is presented as an antithesis to the realities of Inquisition, a timeless Icon oozing out grace and hope by His very presence. In the parable, the ninety year old Grand Inquisitor is a symbolic figure in the sense that his austerity commands fear and intimidation, though for all practical purposes he stands to be the representative of the Holy See. He is introduced to the readers as â€Å"an old man, almost ninety, tall and erect, with a withered face and sunken eyes (Dostoevsky: Online)†. The very age and coarse apparel of the Grand Inquisitor are symbolic of decay and demise, which is the common plight of a pool deprived of any life giving and gushing inlet of faith. In that context, the Grand Inquisitor emerges more a s the custodian of a fiefdom, carved out in the name of God, and the very presence of the Savior poses a challenge to his status quo and all that he stands for at that place and in those times. Hence, the natural reaction of the Grand Inquisitor is that he gets the Savior arrested and confined to the dark cells of the prison. Eventually, it is the monologue that the Grand

The Joy Luck Club (novel) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Joy Luck Club (novel) - Essay Example Both Jing-mei and Waverly happen to be the daughters of the women who have high expectations of their daughters and do not hesitate to push them so as to make them fulfill the dreams they have regarding them. Also, both Jing-mei and Waverly choose to revolt against the aspirations of their mothers, to lead a life that is in consonance with their innate yearnings and needs. One particular thing about Jing-mei is that she is never able to understand her mother’s high expectations from her and thereby leads a considerable part of her life feeling dejected and confused. Her mother’s expectations from her happened to be unrealistic and not in harmony with what she actually wanted to do in life. Though her mother discernibly encouraged her to be anything she desires to be, yet in her heart she wanted her daughter to be a star. She expects her to be a piano prodigy irrespective of the fact that June had no taste for music and her vociferous protests as, â€Å"I’m not y our slave. This isn’t China. You can’t make me (Tan 150)!† The troubled consciousness of Jing-mei is extremely hurt by the obstinacy of her mother as she says, â€Å"Only two kinds of daughter: obedient or follow own mind. Only one kind of daughter can live in this house, obedient kind (Tan 151).† Thereby, June tends to have a hazy self concept and feels like a failure as she regrets her mother’s misplaced expectations, â€Å"My mother and I really never understood one another (Tan 27).† She always felt that she was insufficient and that something really lacked in her troubled life I contrast, Waverly, daughter of Lindo not only happens to be gifted from an early age, but she also happens to be proud and confident about her abilities as she says, â€Å"When I was playing chess, I trusted in myself completely (Tan 25).† She never shared the misgivings, confusion and a sense of dejection and despondency that June is required to face for a major part of her life. Waverly happens to be a girl who has a mind of her own and who could take decisions regarding her like, unlike the wavering and mild June. Yet, very much like June, though being successful and independent, Waverly also badly yearns for the approval of her mother. Quiet akin to June, Waverly really regrets her mother’s habit of bragging about her talent for chess and the high expectations she heaped on her. Thereby like June, Waverly is averse to her mother’s perception of her and how she vitiated her life as she acknowledges her influence on her life by saying, â€Å"What she said was like a curse. This power I had- I could actually feel it draining away (Tan 90).† Hence, though Waverly differed from June in being gifted and endowed with exceptional abilities, yet, like June she also happened to be a victim of great motherly expectations and the domestic pressure that was placed on her right from childhood to be something exceptional an d successful. June and Waverly shared a vitiated and enforced relationship since both of them happened to be childhood rivals right from an early age. Both of their lives were largely shadowed by their mothers’ habit of comparing their talent, abilities and accomplishments. Waverly was gifted in chess and her mother used it as a tool to make June’s mother feel low, a thing that placed both June and Waverly under immense embarrassment and pressure and made them feel inimical towards each other. June particularly feels humiliated by the arrogance

The human relations management of Cirque Du Soleil club Case Study

The human relations management of Cirque Du Soleil club - Case Study Example This essay discusses that human resource management refers to a sequence of organized administrative activities aimed at addressing all concerns of an organization’s employees. Human resource management has a central role in the attaining strategic objectives set by an organization. According to Armstrong an organization’s objectives are achievable through the application of strategic perspective to the management of its employees. Armstrong defines the strategic approach to employees management as a process involving integrated human resource policies and practical practices. Strategic perspective to management of human resource involves measured development and implementation of viable practices, procedures and systems to attain set objectives. Business environments are undergoing transformations from trends such as globalization, prompting the application of strategic perspectives to human resource management. Strategic application of appropriate human resource manag ement theories is fundamental in achieving an organization’s goals as advocated by Sims. Theoretical foundations to managing an organization’s employees form the basis of practice. Martocchio, Joshi and Liao emphasize the effectiveness of implementing the employee relations perspective in strategic human resource management. The classical theory explained by Rao and Krishna is similarly imperative in ensuring strategic management of an organization’s employees. The systems theory applied in human resource management is important in realizing the organization’s goals.

The relevance of academic knowledge to emergency management practice Essay

The relevance of academic knowledge to emergency management practice - Essay Example It shall utilize references from articles published in the International Journal of Mass Emergencies & Disasters. This paper hopes to come up with a better understanding of the roles which academic knowledge plays in the management of emergencies and in the appropriate assessment of disasters and emergencies. Academic knowledge is relevant to emergency management practice because it helps to provide evidence and practical information about the options of medical care during emergencies. These studies or academic knowledge establish theories which serve as bases for practice and applied interventions. The studies which shall be discussed below are academic studies or researches which provide relevant information which now and has since been used as basis in emergency practice. In a paper by Clason (1983), she attempted to evaluate the role that family plays in a person’s ability to cope with disaster. Specifically, this study sought to evaluate the assumption that family is an important factor which helps support societal organizations. In this regard, the best approach in helping families cope with disaster is through the family. This study then sought to answer the question on whether or not individuals can cope better with disaster on a large scale when they are living in family units; and if the individualized conjugal family unit with clear-cut divisions of labor roles offers better chances as compared to other family types (Clason, 1983). This study used the situation of Japanese camps for civilians during the Second World War where the Japanese built allied camps for men only, for women and children only, for men and boys, and for families. Camps built in Indonesia, Shanghai and the Philippines were the main focus for this paper. Materials f or this study were mainly taken from accounts of Dr. D. van Velden, from accounts of inmates, and from accounts of the author

Monique and the Mango Rains Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

Monique and the Mango Rains - Essay Example A major cause is that women in Mali are deprived of child custody rights. Kris discusses Monique in her book stating that she is more educated and skilled than her husband, they both speak different languages and they both belonged to different cities. As Kris gets to know more and more about Monique, it is revealed that she is unhappy with her married life and that she was having an affair with a man she wanted to marry. Because of the cultural practice of arranged marriages, she was forced to live with a man she never wanted to marry. (Holloway, 35) Forced marriages are a common society trait in Mali, though they have been influenced by western culture too, but they try to stick to their centuries old traditions of arranged marriages. No woman is allowed to marry the person of her own choice. It is important for the girls to maintain their virginity till marriage or else it is stated as to bring a bad name to their parents and their tribe. Gifts are paid from the groom to the girl’s family on marriage which is considered no more than the price of the girl. Such kind of marriages are not only uncivilized but also a cause of mental torture for the poor women. Arranged marriages are considered to bring honor to the family. In education, women are also at a disadvantage. Parents think of boys’ education as a better investment than a girl’s education which results in gender difference in education. Statistics show that at the level of primary education the girls ratio is 33% whereas that of boys it is 48% , in secondary schools this ratio is as much as double than that of girls Early forced marriages resulting in pregnancy keeps women away from continuing their education. Many girls are only dropped out of school only because boys of their families are preferred since they are the ones who live with their parents all their