One week ago a new IG account called The Fake Birkin Slayer popped up innocently enough on my FYP — well, innocently enough minus its ominous V for Vendetta-style headshot. Using only stories, The Fake Birkin Slayer explained its goal: to expose the myriad of influencers and celebrities peddling fake Hermes Birkins and Kellys. Intrigued?
You’re in good company. The account has racked up 31,000+ followers in mere days. But this isn’t about revenge — at least according to whoever runs the account — it’s about fighting back against the glamorization of the counterfeit trade which not only uses horrific working conditions, but also supports horrific industries. (Its bio link goes to a TED Talk entitled How Fake Handbags Fund Terrorism and Organized Crime.) In other words, it’s a takedown… but for a cause.
And while the story highlights are pretty much a hit list, the content still raises some interesting and important topics, such as whether there is any difference between a “fake” and a “dupe” and the psychological implications of getting the impression that everyone has so much more money than you do.
Birkintrash’s Fashionphile Partnership Called Into Question
First up is fan-favorite and (former??) Fashionphile ambassador Alex Pardoe, aka @birkintrash. Pardoe, it seems, has a mixed collection of both authentic Hermes bags and counterfeit Hermes bags. The collector was called out by The Fake Birkin Slayer when someone spotted several of his “Hermes” bags listed for sale at rock-bottom prices with the disclaimer that their prices reflected their “authenticity and quality” (i.e. it’s cheap because it’s fake).
Unlike most influencers who have been called out, Pardoe addressed the accusations head-on, claiming he was sold counterfeit bags back when he didn’t know any better, but now he only buys authentic. Despite this, reports quickly surfaced that he had been banned from shopping at Hermes, and Fashionphile removed every single one of his posts from their IG page.
Chiara Ferragni Promoted Known Counterfeiter
Another issue cited by The Fake Birkin Slayer is that many of these influencers go on to sell their fake Hermes bags to others, who assume the bags are real because celebrities wouldn’t have fakes. Enter Chiara Ferragni and her 29 MILLION IG followers.
The Italian fashion darling was called out for working with @Klueles_, a reseller known to peddle counterfeit Hermes bags. Ferragni posted stories praising the counterfeiter for sourcing “the most beautiful Birkin,” which appeared to be a paid partnership. Suddenly, other people who had (inadvertently) purchased fake bags from Klueles lined up to share their stories.
All Those Bravolebrities
I hate that Bravo made that a word, but applies perfectly here. Pretty early on, The Fake Birkin Slayer revealed that the “Housewives understood the assignment” and had taken down all of the photos that featured “Firkins,” fake Hermes Birkins, in advance of being formally “outed.” However, that turned out not to be entirely true. Real Housewives of Miami star Marysol Patton and Real Housewives of New York City alum Jill Zarin missed a few.
And then there was Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn, whose IG page was littered with photos of her with fake Hermes Birkins and Kellys. Some followers were quick to note, however, that Quinn had openly admitted to carrying fakes in the past, explaining that she used them because “no one can tell the difference.”
I have issues with this outfit beyond the bag, but because Quinn had already been open about carrying fakes, she suffered less blowback from being called out — but should she? What do you think?
Making and buying counterfeit goods is, objectively, illegal, so is it better or worse if you admit to it? I want to hear all of your thoughts! Please share in the comments below!