Editing Counterfeit (section)

== Counterfeit culture ==
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{{Original research|section|date=January 2020}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2022|find=Counterfeit culture}}
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Counterfeit culture is the thriving markets surrounding fake [[streetwear]]. Most commonly, these markets originate out of areas where the inability to buy popular streetwear brands has fueled more sophisticated markets for counterfeit goods. These markets have spawned the emergence of a tribe of widely available [[wikt:copycat|copycat]] brands.

In countries like North Korea and Russia where trade sanctions were imposed in the past to prevent the importation of popular brands, demand was stimulated for available counterfeit alternatives. The economic standing of a country or region also contributed to the demand for these products as the average consumer can't afford [[luxury goods|luxury]] prices but will gain the same social impact purchasing a [[Counterfeit consumer good|knock-off]] whose quality is almost indistinguishable from the original's.

Luxury streetwear is out of reach for many people, not just because of international sanctions and low wages, but because exclusivity is built into its business model. Social and cultural forces are driving the unique fashion scene. In particular, social media has a huge influence on over these markets giving people images of things they can't own and further fueling the desire to obtains certain "[[wikt:hype|hyped]]" items by any means accessible.

Designers have even begun to acknowledge the [[history of fashion design|trend]] of counterfeit culture by referencing fake or knock-off goods in their designs. This brought counterfeit culture into the realm of [[popular culture]] and has essentially shifted global acceptance towards becoming more lenient of these products as an appropriate alternative.