I flew to Turkey for a ‘designer’ haul of Chloé, Louis Vuitton and Goyard bags
A SHOPAHOLIC has revealed the results of her ‘designer’ purchase from Turkey.
The popular holiday destination has long been regarded as the ‘counterfeit capital’ among Britons looking for designer clothes for the price of a cup of coffee.
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A short four-hour flight can land you in a bustling market selling “Gucci belts” for £3 and Louis “Fuitton” handbags for £20.
Content creator Collien recently visited Antalya, the ‘tourist capital’ of Turkey, for a jaunt into fake news.
She returned with a brand new wardrobe, complete with a collection of imitation handbags.
These included a £950 example of Chloé’s Woody leather and linen bag and a £1,900 example of Louis Vuitton’s Nano Speedy Bag in denim.
Collien also bought two knock-offs of the Longchamp £120 Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag in navy and beige.
She took to TikTok in a video that has now been viewed over a million times, drawing thousands of responses.
Dupe shoppers were most fascinated by Collien’s Goyard Saint Louis PM Tote imitations.
These bags are not available to buy online and most buyers choose to buy them second hand if they cost at least £1,800.
Collien is said to have purchased the imitation bags for just £13.
Other bargains she picked up included knock-off Chanel sunglasses, knock-off White Fox hoodies and even football shirts.
“I might go to Turkey to expand my wardrobe,” one viewer commented on the viral video.
“That would have all cost over £10,000 new,” suggested another.
However, not every viewer agreed with the practice of buying designer knock-offs.
“This could never be me,” said one critic.
Is it illegal to buy ‘designer’ dupes in Turkey?
In Turkey, buying counterfeit goods is generally considered illegal.
If you purchase a counterfeit product for personal use, you are unlikely to be prosecuted unless you purchase a significant quantity or intend to resell the product.
Customs have the authority to stop and seize counterfeit goods entering or leaving Turkey.
This means that they can stop you when you get home and confiscate any designer clothes you bought on holiday.
“If you can’t afford the real thing, don’t buy the fake,” wrote another.
Turkey is the third largest exporter of counterfeit products to the EU, after China and Hong Kong.
While it is illegal for suppliers to produce counterfeit goods, it is not illegal for consumers to purchase these goods.
However, customs have the authority to stop and seize counterfeit goods entering or leaving Turkey.
And that also applies to tourists who want to take them home with them.
