I n some countries in south-east Asia, including Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand , a distinctive street style has emerged, characterised by counterfeit luxury fashion. Here, many people sport counterfeits of labels such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada. View image in fullscreen Bangkok, Thailand In Vietnam, for example, one can see street food vendors wearing trousers and long-sleeved shirts adorned with large luxury logos.
In Cambodian markets, fish vendors carry Gucci wallets; in rice fields, harvesters wear Balenciaga visor caps. In some places, mothers dress their babies in fake Louis Vuitton dresses. View image in fullscreen View image in fullscreen View image in fullscreen View image in fullscreen Clockwise from top left: Siem Reap, Cambodia; Tonle Sap, Cambodia; Can Tho, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand.
The fakes are everywhere – in shopping malls, night markets and even in small street shops. Customers of counterfeit clothing include not only locals but also many European and American tourists. For many people, fake branded products offer a way to at least superficially access the luxury and status symbols they otherwise could not afford.
Wearing such clothing is often an act of self-assertion and social advancement. The logos convey a sense of prestige and belonging, even if the products are not genuine. They symbolise the dream of a better life and participation in a global consumer culture.
View image in fullscreen Siem Reap, Cambodia Often, the counterfeits are.
