#luxury brands imitations

[jennifersblog-en]

Some simple jewelry

I have to start this post by admitting that I never owned a lot of jewelry, it just wasn’t a priority given the income I had. I guess that’s why when I started planning the Fall-Winter collections and sketching some accessories, I thought it would be a good idea to have jewelry for these clothes in real life, not only on paper.

Therefore, I went to the craft supply store and found some items to make accessories. The necklaces are simple and colorful, but have the benefit of not being too blingy, meaning I can wear them with all kinds of casual outfits.

The bracelets, on the other hand, were inspired by Pandora bracelets, to which you are supposed to add charms and trinkets that represent your personality and major events in your life. It’s a fun idea; and, from Pandora’s point of view, it’s absolutely brilliant because it could become a long-term relationship with the Pandora brand, as your life will continue to evolve. However, I have made similar ones for a very small fraction of the price. Originally, I intended to make just one bracelet, but it broke at the clasp because the pendants were too heavy (it’s useful to know that). That’s why I have redistributed the weight the trinkets on two bracelets, and I have resolved the problem. Either way, at such a low cost, I can change my mind about the trinkets as often as I want, or even stop wearing them, and never feel any regrets.

Overall, I feel like I have made a good saving!

[octuscle]

Expats

Gabriel was quite a freeloader. Of course he didn't come to Dubai as an expat because he was stupid or lazy. But he also knew pretty well that he would have had a much harder time in France affording the life he could afford here. Life in Dubai was luxury, pure luxury. He had a cool house with a pool, a gardener, a housekeeper and a chauffeur, and he earned a huge amount of money. He didn't necessarily work nine to five, but he didn't necessarily work himself to death either. In short, for him, life here was pure paradise!

Gabriel had heard the news that the climate had turned a little against the privileges of expats. But he wasn't interested in it. He would do his job here, he was saving a lot of money, which was safely invested in Switzerland, if necessary, he would be on the plane back to Paris tomorrow and look for a job in Riyadh or Kuwait. The United Arab Emirates were not the only place on this planet where he could make money. And besides, he didn't really care about it today. It was Saturday. Tomorrow he would have to sit in the office again, today he wanted to work out at the gym and then hang out with a few friends at the beach club for the rest of the day. A few cocktails, lobster for dinner and then to bed. The only problem was: his driver had the day off. And even though Gabriel had been living in Dubai for several years, he couldn't drive a car himself! He had forgotten how. That's why there were drivers. So he ordered a taxi.

The porter at his community had announced the driver. Gabriel took his sports bag. A quick check in the mirror: yes, he looked good. He opened the door. The brand new Toyota taxi was parked in front of the door. The driver got out and asked in English if Gabriel wanted to put the sports bag in the boot. Gabriel barely looked up from his phone and just shook his head. He didn't feel like having any more contact with the driver than absolutely necessary. The driver opened the back door for him, Gabriel got in, repeated his destination once more and continued playing with his cell phone. The driver remained quiet at first. But then he started talking. First in English. About the weather, about football, where Gabriel came from, whether he liked Dubai. Gabriel simply didn't react. The driver just kept talking. That he had fled from Syria. That he had been in Dubai for four years. That he had two children. He showed Gabriel pictures in his wallet. His English became more and more incomprehensible. A mixture of English and Arabic. Gabriel continued to pretend to be deaf. The driver kept talking. In Arabic. He was ranting about the expats. About the arrogance of the infidels, who thought they were better than everyone else, even though they were dependent on the mercy of Allah, who had given the Muslims oil.

Gabriel was annoyed. He wanted to work on a few e-mails and not talk about politics. What did he care about politics? So he snapped at the driver, "Rakkiz 'ala al-siyaqa, ana mashghul!" The driver smiled. He looked in the rear-view mirror. God's plan was working.

The taxi driver's language began to change again. Arabic with a French accent. Gabriel sat in the back on the worn imitation leather seats of the old taxi. In the front, Ayoub couldn't stop getting worked up about the last few games of Olympic Marseille. Djibril grinned. He knew the feeling. When Ayoub was in a rage, he was in a rage. Fortunately, they were almost at the wholesale market, then his brother would let him out. Ayoub would drive his shift to an end. And Djibril would see what kind of job he could get. He and his pals ironically called themselves the expats. It was true in a way… His brother and he had immigrated from Morocco ten years ago. They had family in Marseille. Djibril had really tried hard at school, but at some point he stopped going and started working as a day laborer at the wholesale market. He was doing well. By now, Djibril had his network, he knew his way around. And he was strong and fast. He saved what he earned. He was proud of his brother Ayoub, who made it to get a taxi license and his own taxi, which was also Djibril's goal.

He checked his messages. It was still dawn. Ayoub was on his way to the banlieue to sleep. It was good when he drove the night shift, then he and Djibril didn't have to share the small bedroom. So far, no one had contacted him to request Djibril's services. If necessary, he could help out in his aunt's café in the kitchen. There was no money for that, though. But a café and a lunch. Life as an expat wasn't so bad.

[eclairsnme]

♡ POV: Being The Itoshi Brother’s Elder Sister ♡

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

The troubles of an Idol.

tags: idol!you, crack comedy, reunion, familial love, sfw, somewhat of a brat (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)

notes: she's back with more demands and silliness!! ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ

*･゜ﾟ･*:.｡..｡.:*･'(*ﾟ▽ﾟ*)'･*:.｡. .｡.:*･゜ﾟ･*

“Could you make that,” pointing to your chest subtly, “a little bigger?”

Sitting beside the photo editor, you closely observe her working magic on your recent photoshoot with a swimwear brand.

You thought the photos looked great until you caught on to an important missing element.

Boobs.

Big boobs to be specific.

You had boobs but they were not like Hana Haruna’s (*a Japanese pornstar*).

What is the point of posing for a swimwear brand when you lack the assets?

“Maybe if you could just accentuate it a little more,” you gestured your hands to reiterate your idea of a big boob.

“Miss, if I make it any bigger here it’ll look as if you have watermelon jugs as big as your head.”

Your photo editor had a point; your edited chest resembled overblown balloons.

But still! (╯•﹏•╰)

“Isn’t that what the people like? Do you know what they always say? ‘Big boobs don’t lie’.”

“I think you got the wrong idea here, miss.”

“We cannot let the people out there catch me lacking!”

This was your first ever swimwear photoshoot in your entire career. Usually, you will pose for makeup brands and luxury clothing brands.

Swimwear was an uncharted territory. Of course, you were a little overzealous.

Me! The idol who is perfect in every way! Perfect face, perfect figure, and perfect life — an idol who everyone knows and loves.

“Hold on a second, let me refer to my advisor for their advice.”

Imitating a handheld phone with your hands and fingers, you held it towards your ear and spoke through the mock phone.

“Hello, myself. Do you think big boobs are better or small boobs?”

You halted for a second before replying to your own quandary, “Most definitely big boobs.”

With that, you ended the “call”.

“There you have it, miss photo editor. You just have to make it big enough to look natural.”

“If you say so...”

“I am the perfect idol. I cannot lack!”

Maintaining the image of an idol sure is a tough job.

—

“Did she gain some weight?”

“She looked like she had some plastic surgery done to her nose.”

“Oh, I heard she’s dating that one foreign guy!”

“Didn’t you hear how she seduced her way into…”

“She looks like she aged like rotten cheese since her teenage years.”

“Don’t you think she’s the least talented of her siblings?”

Those were just some of the many comments you could ascertain from your dear haters coming from the live audience seat.

You know you are the epitome of perfection. No matter what they say, it would not make you hot under the collar.

Jealously sure is a terrible disease. ┐(´～｀)┌

Currently, you are on a TV show with your male costar, whom you could not really remember his name for he is just a mere NPC.

Today’s show required you to promote a romance drama you acted in last year that has finally been broadcasted this year.

You played the role of the female lead, who fell in love with the male lead at first sight.

It turns out, the group of people who were talking behind your back was this NPC costar’s groupies.

Tsk. Bunch of buzzing bees.

They were on a nonstop mission to pour vitriolic attacks on you.

Despite all the hate, you thought it was quite flattering that they were giving you such undivided attention albeit having their “idol” — NPC costar — right beside you.

Yet again, you have proved to yourself that you are indeed the star of the show! Haters are part of the package of being so irresistible!

(Ŏ艸Ŏ)

You giggled at that.

“This is the hottest romance drama of this season that is sure to get you excited!” The host bellowed, prompting a wave of applause from the audience.

You smiled at the reception.

The interview was filled with scripted questions which you accordingly answered to.

Too easy.

You just had to smile sweetly at everyone to have them fall in love with you. Even the bunch of groupies could not help but to fall for your charm.

Everything was going swimmingly until the host pulled out his wild card — an unscripted question directed at you.

“As a famous idol, do you have any real-life romantic experiences that are swoon-worthy to share with the audience?” The host said in an overly enthusiastic tone.

The audience gasps.

All the cameras were then angled at you anticipating your response.

You smiled sweetly at the host.

Does this guy hate me or something? He must be my number one hater!

Your privacy has always been prioritised as an idol.

Not much was known about your private life until the recent news of your relationship with the Itoshi siblings broke out.

Disregarding that, the matter of your romantic relationship was a topic deemed taboo even to your fans.

The genesis of the taboo nature of your private romantic life started from an honest discussion among the netizens.

They were speculating who you were romantically involved with but it was all for naught as they could not find even a speck of man involved with you.

Even when feverish stalkers took matters into their own hands, they still could not find dirt on you.

Male costars? You treated them like dirt off-camera.

Other male celebrities? You did not even bother looking in their direction or bear to breathe the same air as them for you are better than them.

It soon became apparent to them that perhaps you had a secret affair or were involved in something incredibly scandalous — maybe you were interested in unique deviances?

Their theories then became out of control and so out of pocket that everyone began making up weird conclusions of their own online, which caused a huge uproar.

In the end, everyone decided to be more hush about that topic.

In reality, the truth as to why no one was able to dig up any evidence of you in a relationship was simply because you have always been single as a pringle.

How could a young eligible, gorgeous and talented bachelorette be so single? ( ▀ 益 ▀ )

That is because your brain only contains idol-related information. Everything else? Nil.

Is this man mocking me?

“Surely someone as pretty as you would have countless opportunities for love isn’t it?” The host continued with his onslaught of probing.

Should I strangle him? Or should I just slap him? No no no. Evil monologue shut up.

You look over to your manager and gave him the death glare.

In response to that, he expeditiously told the producers to temporarily halt the program.

With hands akimbo, your tall and slim frame overwhelmed the short and stubby manager.

You frowned at him and harshly whispered to his ears, “Get me a boyfriend ASAP!”

“Eh?!”

—

The program ended and you finally let out a long sigh in the car.

“So did you find me a boyfriend yet?”

“I-I don’t think that is how relationships work! I cannot just magically bring you a boyfriend.”

���But I want a boyfriend! So find me one!” You exclaimed helplessly.

Your manager sighed at your zero concepts of relationships and love.

“Have you loved someone before?”

“Myself.”

“Other than yourself?”

“Is this a trick question or something?”

Mr Manager glances at the rearview mirror with a defeated expression.

“Have you experienced love before?”

“What’s that?” You asked, fingers on your chin unsure what the heck that meant. ಠ╭╮ಠ

“The butterflies in your stomach when you meet someone you love!” He exasperated.

“Oh, that! Whenever I catch glimpses of myself in the mirror, I get this inexplicable feeling of that thing you described!”

This was a lost cause. Although you acted in numerous romance dramas, you still did not grasp the meaning of love. What a hypocrisy it is.

“To have a boyfriend, you must first love that person!”

“What? That sounds like a hassle. I just want a boyfriend.”

Mr manager scrunched his nose in disbelief.

“And why do you exactly want a ‘boyfriend’? This can’t be another of your impulsive thoughts is it?”

Mr manager had a déjà vu of a time when you ordered him to get you a pet tiger.

“No, it is not! What with all these questions, Mr interrogator?”

“…”

“Shut up and just get me a boyfriend.”

“So I have the right to set you up on a date?”

“Whatever it is, I want a boyfriend. I am being very extremely superbly serious!” You said with finality.

Mr Manager could only sigh in defeat yet again for the umpteenth time.

“But you are a public figure–”

You snapped at Mr Manager, “Shut up!”

He continued driving the car, looking at you through the rear-view mirror.

Any man would die to date you; you were a beguiling and dazzling lady. However, your attitude was something he was not sure any man would be able to handle.

In his entire career of being your manager, not once has he had a good day. Every day was filled with problems caused by you that he had to solve.

His brow scrunched together in grim defeat.

Boyfriend huh? Good luck to that unlucky guy.

You, on the other hand, seating cross-legged in the backseat, were marinating in annoyance.

After experiencing the mockery of the host deprecating your love life, you could not let that slide.

You had to ratio him.

Was it immature? Debatable.

Your only participation in this so-called romantic relationship concept was acting in dramas and movies.

And your exposure to the male species was…

Ehem.

Despite being an idol, your otherwise desolate personal life painted you as a lone wolf.

In your life, it was all work and dedication to being the best.

You were on fire! On fire to get a boyfriend! You will show them that you are capable of anything, and not lacking in any department!

The constant buzz of your phone eventually broke you out of your daze.

When you saw the screen, you immediately picked up the call.

“Rin!”

“I’m one step closer to demolishing brother.”

Eh? ！(◎_◎;)

You took the phone away from your ear and stared into the screen making sure you have the right person on the phone.

After confirming it’s the right person, you responded, “What do you mean demolishing your brother?”

“I’ve joined Paris X Gen in Blue Lock to become the best striker and to destroy brother.”

“Mmm… you are destroying my heart, Rin. Why are you still talking about your brother like this?”

“I will be better and he will finally acknowledge me.”

You murmured incoherent thoughts with a frown.

This pent-up hatred can go no further!

“Sister?”

“Where are you now?”

“In the Blue Lock facility. Why?”

You hung up the phone.

“Drive me to this Blue Lock facility place,” you ordered Mr Manager.

—

As soon as you arrive at the Blue Lock building, you were met with strict security.

“Let me in you low-life man.”

“Miss, this is not a place you can just walk in.”

“And a measly man like you can?”

You had been at this for a good 10 minutes, going back and forth with the stubby man and his group of security guards.

Getting sick and tired of this nonsense, you slap the man's fake wig off his head. The wig which was so fake you could see your reflection on it, flew away dramatically and plopped onto the hard asphalt ground.

“M-my hair!” He ran straight to the plastic wig.

“What’s with all these ruckus?”

The hairless man exclaimed at the sight of the short-haired woman.

Your attention went towards the petite, short-haired woman. She looked about your age. As she moved closer to you, almost immediately, your attention snapped to her big bust.

Those are what I call knockers! OMG! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Too busy ogling at her melons, you didn’t realise she was calling out for you.

Snapping yourself out of it, you introduced yourself.

“You are the popular idol!” The busty lady interrupted you, “I am, Anri Teieri, the manager of this facility. This is a strictly out-of-bounds area. What business does an idol like you have here?”

“Miss Anri, you see I have an underaged brother here and I, as his attending guardian, need to see him.”

“I’m sorry, but only authorised personnel can enter the premises.”

“Then authorise me. My little brother is feeling so homesick he was practically begging on his knees to meet me.”

“Every participant here is dedicated to being the best striker, we cannot afford any distractions such as yourself. I’m sure your little brother understands this — it’s all part of the process,” Anri puffed her chest out.

Seeing the physics of her melons do their job, you unconsciously covered your own chest.

That’s unfair! _:(´ཀ`」 ∠):

Anri observed the female opposite her. Hands down, you are the most beautiful woman she had ever laid eyes on. A face sculpted by the gods and paired with those glassy teal eyes that just compelled attraction. Of course, she knew who you are — who doesn’t.

Honestly, Anri was a huge fan of your work. She had collected all your albums and watched all your shows.

You could say that she’s a fan girl.

She also knew that you were the older sister of Rin Itoshi. She had looked through each player's records and with the recent breakout news that you are related to the Itoshi siblings, no doubt you are his sister.

However, she cannot haphazardly let you enter.

What goes on inside Blue Lock is confidential.

“Who is in charge of this building? Call him out now,” you demanded, unwilling to leave until you got what you want.

As if the big man up there had heard your quandary, Anri’s phone rang and it was Ego.

“Let her in,” the deep voice reverberated in her ear.

Ego stared at the monitor, observing Anri and the idol through the surveillance camera.

“But,” Anri tried to protest to no avail as Ego quickly intercepted.

“No harm letting her in.”

With that, the call ended, leaving a befuddled Anri.

“The general manager called and said you are allowed in,” Anri hesitantly said.

“That wasn’t too hard isn’t it?” You smiled, satisfied.

EHE god is always on my side. ✌︎('ω')✌︎

—

The Blue Lock facility was a massive site. It was bigger than any skyscraper you had ever seen. This could easily be the most impressive building in Japan.

The space was so big that every step you took became a loud echo.

“Hey, big melon woman,” you called out for her.

“P-pardon m-m-me?” Anri is flustered at your bluntness.

“Yes, you.” You replied, disregarding her blushing face, “Where’s Rin?”

“The Blue Lock players are currently undergoing their training as of now, therefore I’ll be bringing you to the surveillance room where Ego is at.”

“And should I know what this Ego thing is?”

“Ego is a man I chose to oversee this Blue Lock project.”

“Oho — so you are the mastermind? That’s pretty impressive.”

That was impressive. You had an inkling an old, wrinkly man was behind Blue Lock but to think it was the big melon woman? That was impressive in your books.

Well, that and coupled with your bias for big boobs. (● ˃̶͈̀ロ˂̶͈́)੭ꠥ⁾⁾

Leading you through the vast hallway, both of you finally arrived at your destination.

Anri knocked on the door a couple of times.

“Come in,” came a reply.

As soon as the door opened, you were welcomed by the bright screens of many monitors.

Looking at the screens, they were all surveilling all of the Blue Lock players in the facility.

“Ego, this is the idol you told me to bring along.”

“Here, what you are witnessing are all the unpolished diamonds striving to become the best striker the world will soon witness,” Ego stood up, overwhelming your frame even though you weren’t short by any means.

Ego was a tall, lanky man and you cannot help but compare him to the game character called “Slenderman”.

“Make no mistake that we are the next revolution of football,” continued Ego.

You took a step towards the monitors and scrutinised trying to locate Rin.

“Note this, every day, every boy here only thinks about eating, sleeping and football,” continued Ego.

Still unable to find Rin, you pulled Anri and ask her to help you look for him. More pair of eyes will get the job done.

“We have never allowed any outsider to our facility and you are the first. Consider this a blessing that I am a fan of your works and have allowed you to witness this holy sanctuary,” continued Ego.

Where is Rin?!

“There he is!” Anri smiled as she pointed at a monitor to your far left.

Rin was on the field practising with other players.

“Bring me to him,” you interrupted Ego’s nonstop rant.

“I will, but I have a better idea,” he suspiciously said.

—

On the side of the field, Rin took off his football boots.

The nonstop practice and matches had worn out his boots till the original colour was gone.

It was not even a week since he had joined Paris X Gen, and the regiment was even harsher than before.

It was not for nothing though, he could feel his stamina, strength and ability getting better.

Nothing can stop him from achieving greater heights.

Be it the jerk Shidou or Isagi, he will be better.

But he cannot help to still feel that he is lacking somethi-

"RIN!"

The speaker rumbled throughout the entire Blue Lock building.

The big screen flickered and you came to view.

Rin sank back and covered his face; covering the heavy blush that instantly painted his face bright red.

"Sister..." he muttered under his breath, "What are you doing here?"

Embarrassment was currently the biggest understatement as he tried to pretend he did not hear or see anything.

"Hey, isn't that the idol? Am I dreaming right now?" Karasu gasps at your appearance.

"Rin, can you hear me?" You waved your hand trying to get your little brother's attention.

The Ego man told you that you can communicate with Rin through the screen but what a big liar he was!

On the monitor, the figure of Rin showed that he was still minding his own business as if he did not know you are here.

"Your dearly beloved sister is here!" You shouted into the mic again thinking that perhaps it was some faulty audio.

Your voice echoed throughout the building again, everyone in the building had their attention on you.

Uproars could be heard from the players in every room exclaiming at the sight of a popular idol.

You continued calling out for brother. After all, Ego had nicely set up a Zoom call for you, you cannot let this opportunity go to waste.

Why isn't he looking at me? (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

At the corner of the room, away from the screen, Ego held back his laughter and Anri silently stood unable to help you.

—

"Hey, Reo-" Nagi poked Reo, "isn't that the videogame character?"

"She's the person the videogame character was modelled after," Reo replied.

“She’s a real person?” Nagi said in disbelief.

Unlike Nagi, who only knew you from his game, Reo has actually went to your live concerts multiple times.

After all, your concerts were sponsored by Mikage Corporation.

“Even in real life, she look like a video game character.”

“Is it because she look so unreal?” Reo replied.

—

"Meine Leibe, you have come for me," Kaiser stopped his track as soon as he heard your voice.

Pushing Isagi out of his way, he walked towards the screen with both arms out.

“This must be fate.”

☆〜（ゝ。∂）the end (for now) ☆〜（ゝ。∂）

Part 4

<ehe did you feel that second-hand embarrassment? (I hope you did)>

<why does she keep bothering Rin? It’s because she still sees him as the small baby he used to be and can't stop being the protective (overbearing) sister - she doesn’t know that yet cuzzzz she’s dense>

<if you have any suggestions or whomever you think she should be paired with, don't be shy to share your thoughts!>

<Thankiew for reading!!!>

[mariacallous]

Earlier this month I complimented a friend on her new Bottega Jodie bag. She had recently got a promotion at work, and is now a senior manager at a respectable record label earning six figures. The bag was a celebratory gift, she told me, only it wasn’t Bottega—it was a dupe.

As someone who has a closet full of designer labels—and who could certainly afford to buy the real thing—her admission surprised me. My face must have given that away. “It’s real Italian leather,” she quickly followed up, “and their website says they manufacture in the same factories as some luxury brands. You couldn’t tell the difference, so why would I spend thousands more for basically the same thing?”

It’s a question many have been asking since dupe culture went supernova over the last few years. A shorthand for duplicate, dupes are cheaper alternatives that are basically the same as the real thing. Think of it as a cousin to counterfeit culture, but instead of being a cheap knock-off that infringes on a brand’s trademark, they’re uncannily similar imitations—promising the same qualities of the product at a fraction of the cost.

It’s not just my friend who loves them either. Roughly one-third of all US adults have intentionally bought a dupe, according to Morning Consult, with that figure rising to almost half for Gen Z shoppers and 44% for millennials. In the UK, research by Mintel shows 47% of consumers are now open to buying luxury lookalikes in 2024, compared to just 12% in 2016.

“The shame of buying these things has gone,” says Alice Sherwood, author of Authenticity: Reclaiming Reality in a Counterfeit Culture. “Luxury prices have skyrocketed while the trend cycle has rapidly accelerated. People no longer want to spend upwards of £4000 on the latest ‘It’ bag that might be out of vogue within a year.”

Add their proliferation on social media into that mix, and the dupe culture has been normalised in ways that “knock-offs” from Canal Street never were, she says.

Just one scroll on TikTok would affirm this. At the time of writing over 260,000 posts have been made under the #dupes hashtag, with the majority featuring creators sharing their best dupe finds across fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware. Most of the time they’re from fast fashion retailers like Shein, Amazon and Temu, but more recently, a new crop of companies have been dominating dupe culture by offering quite a different proposition.

Low-Price Luxury

Take my friend’s new favourite brand, Quince. According to their website their mission is “to create products of equal or greater quality than the leading luxury brands at a much lower price”. To do so they’ve sourced factories used by “well-known luxury brands” to manufacture their goods, but by cutting out the middlemen and hefty markup, they can sell them at far more affordable prices.

They’re not the only ones. Leather goods manufacturer Sitoy Group Holdings regularly uploads videos on social media showcasing how the quality of its $100 handbags is almost identical to those sold for upwards of $1000, all the while advertising that they use the same production lines used by Prada, Tumi and Michael Kors. Then there's Chicjoc, one of the largest Chinese fashion apparel brands on Taobao and Tmall, claiming it uses the same fabric manufacturers as those used by the likes of Chanel, Valentino and Louis Vuitton.

This shift towards high-quality dupes puts luxury brands in a difficult position. For decades, they’ve justified their high prices with the promise of superior craftsmanship and materials. They've even poked fun at these imitations. But when brands are offering near-identical goods allegedly manufactured in the same factory as luxury brands for much, much less, that justification starts to crumble.

Another brand that has gained significant traction online this year is Los Angeles-based premium basics brand, Italic, with many consumers on Reddit expressing their satisfaction with the quality of the products. “Most of our products take 5–10 sample runs and 6–18 months, sometimes even longer,” says Italic CEO Jeremy Cai. “Our sourcing process involves rigorous vetting and ongoing quality controls, including factory certifications, samples, and production quality.”

This meticulous approach stands in stark contrast to what many might expect. Italic contacts 20-30 potential suppliers, evaluates 5-7 factories, and ultimately works with just 1-2 of them for any given product category, visiting each factory on-site.

The key difference between Italic and the high-profile brands using the same factories, Cai explains, is in the pricing: “Most of our factories' clients sell for 2-4x more than our SRPs (Suggested Retail Prices), often much higher.” By cutting out the markup typically associated with luxury goods, Italic offers high-quality products at a more accessible price point.

Cai is quick to point out that Italic does not market itself as a “dupe” brand. However, that hasn’t stopped consumers from drawing comparisons to more expensive luxury labels. In contrast, competitor Quince leans into dupe culture, positioning itself more overtly as a challenger to high-end brands. On Quince's website, woven intrecciato handbags, which resemble Bottega Veneta's iconic designs, are showcased alongside price comparisons to their luxury counterparts.

Quince also frequently analyses luxury competitors’ best-selling items to identify opportunities for replication. “Data collection is crucial in our product development process,” says a Quince spokesperson. “Our team uses a variety of sources, including Google Trends, social media, and customer feedback, to understand the market and ensure we’re delivering what people want.”

Quince’s strategy is built on the belief that luxury can—and should—be more accessible. “Our founding team, with years of experience in luxury and DTC (direct-to-consumer) retail, knew that competitors add a 40–60% markup on similar products,” continues the spokesperson. “As costs in the luxury market become more transparent, consumers are less willing to accept these inflated prices.”

To that end, Quince works globally to source manufacturing partners that share their commitment to transparency, while innovating to keep costs down. Every product page on their site includes detailed information about materials, country of origin, and certifications for working conditions along the supply chain.

Luxury brands, on the other hand, have traditionally kept their manufacturing processes shrouded in secrecy. William Lasry, founder of Glass Factory, is working to change that.

Lasry travels the globe, visiting and spotlighting factories with superior craftsmanship and ethical practices across his social media platforms. While not all brands are doing their very best, he is sceptical about some companies' supposed connections to luxury factories, pointing out that these dupe brands frequently exploit this ambiguity for marketing purposes.

“There are many instances where a factory will produce a sample for a luxury brand,” Lasry explains. “Luxury brands often request samples from hundreds of factories, but in many cases, nothing materialises beyond the sample stage. The factory might then turn around and claim, ‘We’ve made samples for Gucci,’ even though no production deal was ever finalised.”

Petros Analytis, head of research at Glass Factory, agrees that it’s hard to draw the line. “Unless they let us come into the factories and see for ourselves, it’s hard to ascertain.”

Premium Tax

While transparency might be slowly improving, one thing the luxury market has always clung onto is its appeal. Conglomerates like LVMH and Kering built empires on the foundation of an alluring narrative—one that combines centuries of heritage with modern-day prestige. By blending Old World craftsmanship with the new-age glamour of celebrity culture, they made handbags, shoes, and clothing a gateway to an elite, exclusive world.

For a long time consumers were happy to pay big bucks to belong in this world. Perhaps unknowingly, they were buying not just a product but an experience. The true value of a designer label wasn't simply measured by the stitching or material, but by the feeling it evoked—the confidence boost, the social status, the feeling of exclusivity. “It’s a real skill to make a handbag into an object desired by millions of women, one that has so much meaning and can do so much for your self-confidence,” notes Sherwood.

Yet, behind the curtain of glamour, the reality of some products was very different. While consumers believed they were buying the pinnacle of luxury, what they were often getting was a product only marginally superior to midrange alternatives—and occasionally no better at all. The excessively high margins were less a reflection of quality and more a tax on the brands' appeal.

“They are the architects of their own problems,” continues Sherwood. “By making so much of their products not about the tangible product, but about the intangible aspects of the brands - those sexy ads, the celebs who carry your products, the stores, the glossy ads, the slogans, the heritage backstory, all that stuff that isn’t actually the product itself.”

In turn they’ve created an enormous gap between what consumers are actually paying for and the real value of the product. As these companies have increasingly pursued the ultra-wealthy, they’ve left a gap in the market that other brands, eager to capitalise, are starting to fill. “They know that the prices at the very top of luxury are too high to reflect the actual value,” Sherwood says. “But have turned these notable silhouettes and styles into desirable items that a dupe brand can free ride off of.”

Then, recently, the veneer began to crack even further. In March, Italian luxury brand Loro Piana became embroiled in scandal after an investigation revealed the material behind their $9,000 sweaters was sourced by low-paid workers in Peru. Just a few months later, in July, Italian prosecutors alleged sweatshop-like conditions in factories supplying certain products for high-end labels such as Dior and Armani. The revelations triggered outrage among consumers, many of whom had long trusted these brands to uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship and ethics.

Across online forums like the r/handbag subreddit, once-loyal customers voiced their disillusionment. For many, these scandals revealed that the luxury brands they idolised were not living up to their promises. Both Loro Piana and Dior have denied the allegations. However, The Business of Fashion revealed that Milan's public prosecutor said in a court document that they had found “an illegal practice so entrenched and proven [that it could] be considered part of a broader business policy exclusively aimed at increasing profit.” Neither company has been charged in relation to the probe.

Such reputational damage couldn’t have come at a worse time for luxury brands. Coupled with the rise of dupe culture, these scandals are forcing consumers to rethink their relationship with high-end goods. If craftsmanship is no longer exceptional, and ethical practices are called into question, what exactly are people paying for when they buy luxury?

Rebuilding the Dream

Recent sales figures underline just how far demand for luxury mega-brands has fallen from its post-pandemic highs. In July, some of the industry’s biggest players reported disappointing revenues for the second consecutive quarter. LVMH, the world’s leading luxury conglomerate, missed sales estimates, while Gucci’s parent company Kering, experienced a decline of 11%. Other major brands like Richemont and Burberry also reported disappointing figures, with first-quarter sales plummeting by a staggering 20%.

At the heart of luxury’s current struggles is the erosion of the very dream that once propelled the industry. The disconnect between the marketing mythology and the reality of production has left consumers feeling disillusioned, meaning the days of blindly paying a premium for a logo may be at risk.

The democratisation of information and consumer power through social media has played a huge part in this. Platforms like TikTok and Reddit are filled with conversations that challenge the industry's value proposition, which has made it so much harder for luxury brands to control their narrative.

To regain their position, Brittany Steiger, principal analyst of retail & eCommerce at Mintel says they will need to focus on what once made them so desirable—authenticity, superior craftsmanship, and a narrative of prestige that feels both aspirational and attainable. Some experts suggest that embracing more transparent practices and truly living up to their ethical and quality promises could also be the way forward. Brands that fail to do so, may find themselves increasingly irrelevant in a world where high-quality dupes continue to gain ground.

It’s clear that the old model of luxury has been disrupted, and it’s no longer just about price anymore. In the battle between heritage and value, consumers are asking more questions—and luxury brands must have better answers. And if they don’t, there’s a whole industry on the sidelines who do.

[my5unday]

lps2012 tumblr, me and my friend @octonauter have cooked up a satirical vinnil fanfiction.. hope you enjoy 😭 (dont mind any spelling mistakes and stuff im too lazy to read through the whole thing and fix stuff). We were planning on writing a serious fanfic but veryy quickly turned into this demon

Beach Day or Bleak ay -

It was the hottest day of the summer. The pets lazily laid in front of the only fan in the pet shop

It was shop, all the pets lazing around in the hot summer heat. “This sucks” they say in unison  “yes” vinnie agreed, being the only one who didn't say in unison. Pepper then hit him in the head with rubber chicken, “ow!! What was that for” he said sadly “You were out of unison, moron” she replied. Vinnie scoffs, he rolls his eyes and walks away from the crowd. He decides to go to the fire hydrants which is his usual space where he spends time alone

Vinnie began writing in his diary “Dear Dairy, its me again. Pepper is such a conniving, insolent, beastly woman! I curse upon thee the sorrows of a thousand dead widows. He heard a scream from outside the fire hydrant, it was shrill and raspy, peppers voice to be exact. “What I do” he said, slowly peering out of the fire hydrant to get a look at what might've happened. She got stuck by lightning, the pets crowded around her in panic. There was available hole in the ceiling of where the lighting stuck from. She lay on the pet shop floor, rolling in agony burnt like an egg on the florida sidewalk. Vinnie gasped and went back to hiding. Blythe soon arrived on the scene and called the pet ambulance, pepper was soon taken away and Blythe announced their next plan.

“Pets, I know that was REALLY crazy, but we deserve to get our minds off of pepper for a bit. What about a beach trip!” all the pets cheered while the hip upbeat guitar transition music played in the background, except for Vinnie who was still processing what he had just done. He started to hyperventilate but sunil though he was challenging him to a fast breathing contest so he started rapidly huffing and puffing harder than the big bad wolf ever could [vinnie being the big bad wolf] Sunil glared angrily at Vinnie as they continued this one sided competition. Vinnie said “ENOUGH!” and stormed off, Sunil looked at him confused and then it shrugged off as vinnie just being a bad sport. 

***

“Somethings going on with vinnie…” Russel said a suspicious tone in his voice, minkas jaw DROPPED 

“WHAT???” shock etching every corner of her monkey face

“Yeah.. you heard me. Don't you think its WEIRD how as soon as vinnie left to the fire hydrant, pepper got smited” he suspicious 

Minka started jumping up and down and screaming at Minka and looked at Russell as if he just killed her family of 1 [her]. 

The pet bus arrived at the beach, blythe in her blythe styleish swimsuit that we aren’t getting paid enough to describe. Sunil was wearing the most fabulous swim shorts designed by Blythe truly. They were solid black with mangos with a seamless red to yellow to green ombre. The leaves of the mangos were embellished with opulent rhinestones of a diverse plethora of chroma. The material Blythe used was exceptional, and provided for utmost comfort as Sunil wore them. The drawstrings of the swim shorts were made of a glow in the dark material [incase Sunil happened to find himself at the bottom of the ocean.] Finally the back of the swimshorts said “Juicy”, in an attempt to imitate the luxury brand Juicy Couture. It was truly a divine masterpiece work of art. Opulent.

Vinnie started burying himself in the sand to ignore the rest of the pets and hide from his guilt, he might as well live there for the rest of his life. He pulled out his sopping wet diary that he forgot was in his pocket before it was too late, it was completely damaged and unsalvageable. “I should've gotten rid of this stupid thing years ago anyways!” he yelled, throwing it out into the distance. Meanwhile Sunil stood on the beach near the water gazing down at it but not stepping in, he suddenly felt a weightful force crash into his noggin and send him flying across the ocean with an intense and unpredictable speed. He screamed in terror flailing around. Minka started recording.  He landed on something smooth, relived he sighed, until he looked down and saw he was laying on a shark. He screamed once again and started to swim away as fast as he could. “BLYTHE!!!!!! I NEED YOU TO SAVE ME R IM GOING TO BE EATEN BY THIS aaauGGHHAAAAAA” he yelled being cut off by the shark chasing after him.

Penny Ling looked around, “Say.. where is Blythe..” Blythe wasnt responsive , she was playing dress to impress on roblox and was too locked in on her outfit to pay attention to anything else. Despite the fact that Youngmee, Sue, Jasper, Mrs Twombly, her father, all the pets owners and cousins and all the horses and all the king's men were calling her on her phone she still persisted on playing her game [the theme was Beach day].

Vinnie felt at fault for all of this, including Blythes crippling, deprecating, disgusting addiction/fixation on dress to impress [he introduced it to her]. If he hadn’t smited Pepper with his diary, Sunil wouldn't be drowning while being chased by sharks. He mustered [mustard] up all the mustard in his body [courage] and ran into the ocean at full force

“I'LL SAVE YOU SUNIL!” Vinnie yelled. Youngmee, Sue, Jasper, Mrs Twombly, her father, all the pets owners and cousins and all the horses and all the king's men all stared in unison at Vinnie’s amazing feet as he blazed across the water like a trail of fire to save sunil.  At that point, Vinnie could only see Sunil’s paw sticking out of the water, which was also hard to see given the ocean water was the same color as his fur. Sunil sank. Vinnie divedin after him, racing down the water to catch up to his sinking body, he was unable to spot him until eye spying with his little eye, glowing in the water! The emergency glow in the dark shorts! from his drawstrings! Despite her disgusting addiction to dress to impress, Blythe was a genius! Then vinnie swept him out of the water graciously and swiftly, water exploding all around them where they emerged. Their spinning wet bodys reflecting in the sun. All the kings men or whatever stared in awe.

“I got first place with my outfit!” Blythe squealed in excitement, not paying attention to a sliver of what just unfolded. Vinnie laid Sunil on the soft, yet scorching hot sand [cause it's the hottest day of the summer] like it was his fourth of July party. Sunil was still unconscious. Blythe was still too focused to help, he thought… This only meant one thing. Youngmee, Sue, Jasper, Mrs Twombly, her father, all the pets owners and cousins and all the horses and all the king's men gathered around vinnie and sunil as they watched the INSANE scene about to fold in front of them. Vinnie pressed his lips to Sunil like it was his October third party in 2002 at 1:06AM [Eastern standard time] “It’s just cpr… it’s just cpr…” he thought to himself, but with every puff of air his mind wandered away from just saving his best friend. Sunil awoken and gasped, he looked around in fear and confusion, shaking and sputtering out incoherent words. He had had a thumb sized cut on his cheek [he has a FAT thumb]. “Shh… It’s okay Sunil… I’m here…” he said in a hush. Sunil screamed and ran away, his footprints in the sand like Cinderella's slippers. And NO ONE could find him… He must be embarrassed by the cpr, Vinnie thought, and chased after him like Prince Churning. 

The trail ended behind a rock, where Sunil was crouched behind a rock, weeping ever so softly. Vinnie slowly walked up to Sunil, trying not to startle the mongoose. “Hey, Sunil… I know I just gave you cpr and stuff but… you don’t have to be all sad about it, y’know.” He put his hand on his shoulder. Sunil looked back at him with the most softest eyes, amber glowing golden in the hot sun [it being the hottest day of the year afterall] his soft eyes then turned sour [stream olivia rodrigo], he was angry at vinny for embarrassing him in front of all of the kings horses and all the king's men. “This is all YOUR fault! If you hadn't thrown that STUPID diary, don't think i didn't see what it said before i fell into the water. “I curse upon thee the sorrow of a thousand dead widows ?!” YOUR the one who smitted pepper. And we don't even know if she's going to survive!” his voice cracked with emotion, tears swelling up in his humongous amber eyes, the salt of the tears stinging the thumb-sized scar on his face. . Vinnies breathing began to quicken uncontrollably, he became lightheaded and the world spun around him. His heart pounded in his chest as he hyperventilated. This WAS all his fault… “And ENOUGH of that breathing competition, you are so.. so.. IMMATURE!” he rolled his eyes

Vinnies heart was in a million pieces. He truly believed Sunil felt what he felt when he was giving him cpr, it turned out to be all a delusion. 

TO BE CONTINUED…..?

[i hope not]

[csuitebitches]

Heyy! My long-distance bf wants to buy me a gift to celebrate our first month together in a week or so. I can buy anything I want, and he'll pay. It's nothing super big (around 200-300 euros budget) as we're both still very young, in university and he's looking for better jobs. He wants to make this a regular thing and buy me better stuff as he starts earning more.

All my bills and education are taken care of, so it's supposed to be purely something I enjoy. I am thinking about investing in some basic jewellery and mid-luxury bags that I can use when I join b-school next year. Can you suggest some jewelry or bag brands worth investing in? Thanks!

If I were you, I’d go for jewellery over bags. Long term value is higher.

Don’t fall for the jewellery from luxury stores like Chanel, Cartier or any of that. It’s not pure. It’s easily imitable and it’s not even real gold or silver it’s just alloys/ polished silver or polished gold.

If I were you, I’d look specifically for Indian jewellery stores, not costume jewellery. Look for options online. It’s all real stuff. Indians and south Asians (perhaps middle easterns as well I’m not sure) in general only wear real jewellery because it’s a part of their culture. Don’t fall for brand names. Go for the purest, highest carat / karat you can go for. I would personally start with gold over diamonds or any other metal (silver to me is useless and diamonds are a very long term investment). I don’t know which part of the world you’re from but you can DM me and I could offer some options.

[miller-jhon]

How to view authentic and imitation brands?

Where can I buy high grade fake Gucci bags ffsayhi.ru?

My friend, have you heard about the fake Gucci handbags that have recently appeared in the market? Every time I see them, I can't believe my eyes. From the fabric to the shape, pattern and stitching, it is an exact replica of the real bag. It's so close to the real bag that most of us would have a hard time spotting the difference.

I first saw this tantalizing faux gucci replcia handbag when I drooled over the original collection in one of the most exclusive retail stores in town. I was mesmerized by its beauty, but when I saw its price tag …… WOW! I was shocked and thought: why is it so expensive?

Then I realized there were fake Gucci handbags and I was hooked. I was immediately intrigued by it and decided to buy one for myself. Everyone's reaction when they saw it was priceless. They couldn't believe their eyes and I couldn't believe it either.

The best thing about these fake Gucci handbags is that they are affordable. I don't have to break my bank account to have one of these beautiful handbags. I was really happy to hold a handbag with the luxury Gucci label on it.

My friends started asking me where I got this bag and everyone was raving about it. I was like a hero, carrying an amazing bag that wowed everyone around me. I started to wonder if I was worth spending more money on a real Gucci bag or if I should now savor my fake Gucci bag.

It's amazing to think how gullible we are. The way counterfeiters create exact replicas is almost genius. While it may be illegal, it's a good option if you're on a budget.

However, there is another side to this. Realize that good quality and craftsmanship takes time and effort. Counterfeiters don't spend that much time and effort on their work. They only want profits. Therefore, there is no guarantee that this bag will last you a long time. It may or may not be a good choice.

But, what I am trying to say is that when a power reaches its heyday, or when several powers reach the point of checking each other, whenever there are other insignificant beings that carry out their dealings or their practices, maybe in a big way, but it all has to be viewed from the point of view of your perceptions, and there is an old saying that says, "A wise man does not fall in love, but a foolish man falls in love with himself. Fools, it's you are all me". So just follow your heart, and finally, I wish you all the best.

[hiphopbling]

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Iced Out Jewelry

Diamond iced out jewelry is adored by many people due to its luxury and stylish appearance. However, buying them can be tricky without the right knowledge for a first-time buyer. This guide will also outline some common mistakes one needs to avoid to make the right decision.

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Iced Out Jewelry:

Prioritizing Size Over Quality:

This is the case because most, buyers are in search of the largest diamonds without considering the quality. However, big the size may be, the quality cannot offer the brilliance and shield of clarity that you need.  

Of course, the quality of the diamond affects the appearance of jewelry and value, be it a beautiful Diamond bling bling bracelet or iced-out chains. When being purchased, they should be evaluated on color, clarity, and carat. The size of the diamonds should always be overshadowed by the quality. 

Ignoring Metal Quality:

Diamonds can steal the show, but the quality of the metal this stone is made on should not be left unconsidered. It can lead to tarnishing or discoloration over time.

Lower-quality metals cause jewelry to look worn out while a good setting enhances the durability of the piece.

Falling for Flashy Marketing Tricks:

As Diamond iced out jewelry increases in popularity, every store or brand is employing various methods to grab people’s attention. You can observe the terms such as “exclusive” or“limited time only.”

Instead of tempting to rush, look for reviews, certifications, and company history. Compare the options among the brands and ensure the source used is authentic. A better price is available that matches your style and order iced out jewelry such as Diamond iced out chains or bracelets.

Not Verifying Diamond Authenticity:

Don’t fall in the beauty of a diamond-studded piece. Look for authenticity. There are fakes, or imitation diamonds or lower-quality diamond substitutes.  

A reliable and professional brand or jeweler will provide certification, ensuring the stone's authenticity and quality.

It is also important to note that most online stores also stock substitutes like CZ and Moissanite and they are reliable products.

Neglecting Practicality and Comfort:

You might be captivated by a striking piece of iced out jewelry. Search for the designs, comfort to wear to even define precisely elaborate parts. Generally when the piece is going to be worn often comfort should be considered. Also, consider the size and weight. When buying them online, check for reviews.

Focusing Only on Brand Name:

There is one huge advantage that designer brands have and it is the quality of the goods, however, these goods are very expensive. Don’t go with a brand simply for its name. Similar other online stores also provide better-quality products at comparatively cheaper rates. For engagement wedding or anniversary gifts, they present the best craftsmanship and are accompanied by certified diamonds and custom-made or unique pieces.

Sheer quality is a hallmark to look out for that reflects your style. Seek trusted jewelers who offer value.

The Final Thought:

For any person, it is always fascinating to purchase diamond iced-out jewelry. For the best deal stay clear of those common mistakes. Contact www.hiphopbling.com and search for the various types of products to ensure they get the right product with the best quality that is comfortable and affordable. Be assured that you will receive quality iced- out jewelry piece that completes your appearance and is long-lasting.

[blackswaneuroparedux]

Schiaparelli’s ‘Inferno’: A journey to Hell and back

I’ve always wondered if today’s self-absorbed creative directors and edgy designers at the leading luxury fashion houses based in Paris are familiar with George Santayana’s cutting observation that, “Fashion is something barbarous, for it produces innovation without reason and imitation without benefit.” On the evidence of this year’s Paris Fashion Week I think not.

For the Spring 2023 collection at Paris Fashion Week, Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry revealed in pre-show notes that he was specifically drawn to Dante Alighieri’s magisterial Divine Comedy. He was especially inspired by Inferno, the 14th-century Italian poet’s renderings of Hell. Present as spectators and models were some of the internet’s favourite muses, such as Kylie Jenner wearing taxi-dermied outfits with hyperrealistic faux animal heads affixed to a fitted gown.

The singer Doja Cat was also there, appearing bald and covered in red gemstones at the steps of the Petit Palais like a demonic red figure. In other pieces, gold-painted torsos and metallic sculptural heads paid tribute to the house’s founder, Elsa Schiaparelli, and her ties to Surrealist artists like Man Ray, Salvador Dalí, and Meret Oppenheim during the 1930s. She was the subject of a recent retrospective at the the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris last year in 2022, and her collaborations with those artists demonstrated a propensity to shock audiences with strange garments that at times merged human bodies with animal features.

Throughout the haute couture show, Roseberry brought to life versions of Dante’s epic poem’s three allegorical animals: the lion, the leopard, and the she-wolf. Accordingly he dressed three super models, Shalom Harlow as the leopard, Naomi Campbell as the she-wolf, and Irina Shayk as the lion. All three haute couture dresses were sculpted and embroidered by hand, “celebrating the beauty of nature and guarding the woman who wears it” said the proud creative director.

When I read that particular remark I almost choked on my tea. I was sitting in a nearby Parisian café with my younger sister, who was visiting me in France, and one of our French-Nordic cousins who actually works in the luxury brand corporate world as a senior exec in LVMH. Through our cousin we had managed to see one or two of the fashion shows last week. It’s not really my cup of tea, but I gave in to indulge my visiting sister and my cousin who loves her job. 

Many people outside of haute couture world of Paris Fashion Week, focused on the spectacle of cruelty of seeing three stuffed animal heads on the bosoms of three super models strutting on a fashion show runway. Most of the criticism was misplaced as it showed little understanding what a haute couture show is all about. It allows the talented designer to let his/her hair down and show off their most off the wall ideas, and above it’s meant to be playful.

That said, I, however, was focused on what Daniel Roseberry actually said of his collection. I thought it was a misquote but no, as it turned out later, it’s what the designer said.

I resisted the urge to feel ‘offended’ and to look around for a pitch fork to join the unruly easily offended mob to denounce the designer. To me it wasn’t about the Surrealist heritage of Schiaparelli that the creative director drew inspiration from for one part of his show - that’s what one might expect from that fashion house. Nor was it the animal depiction on dress gowns that was pretty par for course for any haute couture fashion show - which I personally found garish and in bad taste - but which drew the public outcry against the perception of animal cruelty.

No, it was the crime of cultural vandalism against Dante himself.

I have no idea if Roseberry has actually read the Dante’s Divine Comedy or not but from his remarks that his hideous creations were “celebrating the beauty of nature and guarding the woman who wears it” he clearly hadn’t or was high as a kite on drugs and high energy drinks.

So I’m going to discuss Dante’s three wild beasts as Dante wrote them.

In the opening Canto of the Divine Comedy, Dante encounters three ferocious animals: the leopard, the lion and the she-wolf.

In the first canto of the Inferno, Dante, having gone astray in a dark wood, reaches the base of a sunlit hill (later described by Virgil as “the mountain of delight, the origin and cause of every joy”) and begins to climb - only to find the way blocked by three beasts. First, a leopard appears.

And almost where the hillside starts to rise - look there! - a leopard, very quick and lithe, a leopard covered with a spotted hide. He did not disappear from sight, but stayed; indeed, he so impeded my ascent that I had often to turn back again.

It is a spring morning, and “the hour and the gentle season” give Dante “good cause for hopefulness” upon seeing the leopard - but then he sees a lion.

but hope was hardly able to prevent the fear I felt when I beheld a lion. His head held high and ravenous with hunger - even the air around him seemed to shudder - this lion seemed to make his way against me.

When the third beast appears, Dante gives up hope entirely.

And then a she-wolf showed herself; she seemed to carry every craving in her leanness; she had already brought despair to many. The very sight of her so weighted me with fearfulness that I abandoned hope of ever climbing up that mountain slope. . . . I retreated down to lower ground.

When you read Dante - in Italian or in translation - nothing you read ever so simple and nothing should be taken at face value. Indeed in the Divine Comedy almost nothing is said without good reason. Take the verse preceding the appearance of the three beasts.

When I had rested my body there a while I then started again up the barren slope the more powerful foot always behind the other

Dante refers to the manner of his climb. He makes the climb with ‘the more powerful foot always behind the other’. One foot (the more powerful) is always behind (lower than) the other. This is a difficult line to interpret. It could of course simply be a description of how someone climbs a hill. You plant one foot in the ground and then push up allowing the other foot to 'land' and secure your position.

If Dante is talking about a stronger (firmer) foot and (presumably then) a weaker foot and talks about the one being lower than the other, there is probably a deeper meaning behind it. In Dante's thought world it was sometimes said that in the 'pilgrimage' towards heaven, we walk on two 'feet' (or legs); the Will and the Intellect. Because the Will, the stronger of the two, is always desiring what it shouldn't, our journey forward towards God is therefore hampered. We limp our way to heaven! So Dante could be saying that his Will lags behind his Intellect as he strives to find the light of God, making his journey up those slopes that much harder. The (weaker) Intellect is having to drag the (stronger) Will upwards towards the divine light.

An alternative explanation is inspired by a comment from St Augustine to the effect that 'love is the foot of the soul', in other words the driving force of the soul's  quest for God. So, Dante could be suggesting that his stronger foot (love) pushes his body up the hill towards God. Personally I prefer this more optimistic image of his ascent; after all, he begins his climb in hope and anticipation.

And so we have to ask ourselves as we come to the three beasts, is there a deeper meaning to these animals beyond their physical power and scariness. Yes, there is.

When Dante engages with myths throughout his Inferno, he’s also leaning into this tradition of animals as allegories. He’s striving to teach a lesson, as mythical creatures punish sinful souls for eternity. Invoking creatures from antiquity, Dante’s Inferno moulds pagan hell into a Christian design. These mythical creatures are behemoth reminders for potential sinners about the consequences of their actions.

Even from the opening canto of Dante’s Inferno, we find our titular character lost in a dark and winding wood. As the woods darken, he feels his consciousness enter a strange state - a feeling that he likens to death (Inferno 1.7). As this shroud covers him, Dante encounters the first mythical creatures in the Divine Comedy. Leopards and lions were not native to Italy. Travellers relayed tales of these beasts to illuminators and scribes, and information about them would be published in bestiaries. Leopards were often incorporated into coats of arms when there were descendants of adultery in a lineage. The leopard Dante encounters is “very quick and lithe” (Inferno, 1.32). Perhaps the leopard is meant to symbolise a sin associated with impatience or hubris. Lions were often symbols of Christ, akin to Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia but in this case the lion was “ravenous with hunger” (Inferno 1.46), which may have been a reminder to the reader about the dangers of gluttony.

The importance of animals goes beyond face value. Animals appearing in stories always contain allegories. The beasts symbolised the major categories of sin: incontinence, violence and fraud. Or as they are more commonly called - lust, pride and avarice. In her commentary, Dorothy L. Sayers explains that these categories of sin were associated with the three stages of life - lust with youth, pride (self-conceit) with the middle years and avarice with old age. Of course, they can attack a person at any time of his life.

Symbolism can help us enormously when reading Dante but it is also important I think to try to read the text itself and take clues from the way Dante uses the symbols. The Leopard is mesmerising, clever, quick and very pleased with itself, displaying its gaudy spots for all the world to see. The Lion terrifies even the air around it with its appearance (and presumably its roar) but the most noticeable thing about it from Dante the pilgrim's point of view is how proud it is as it hold its head up high. The third beast, the she-wolf, is one that has brought grief to many people. Her leanness speaks of an insatiable appetite; no matter how much (or how many people!) she eats she never thrives, never grows fat, she is never satisfied.

If Dante's world each of the beasts represented different vices or sins - the leopard as a symbol of lust, the lion a symbol of violent pride and the she-wolf as a symbol of avarice and fraud - then these  could also either represent Dante's own besetting sins which prevent him from reaching heaven, or perhaps the three levels of hell which are divided according to the kind of sin committed. In the first circle Dante the pilgrim will find those guilty of avarice and incontinence (not the bowel kind), in the second circle sinners guilty of violence and in the third, those responsible for crimes of treachery and fraud.

It’s easy to see then these animals as symbols of divine judgement on Dante. Dante is not ready to find the divine light. He is still under judgement. His sins have not been dealt with and as we shall learn, only by descending to hell and rising through the mountain of purgatory will he be able to find that light as a 'saved' soul.

All three wild beasts are mentioned in the bible and used as symbols of the kind of fate that will befall the people of God as divine judgment.

In Hosea 13:4-8 God says that he will be like a lion and a leopard (and an angry mother bear!) towards his ungrateful, apostate people.

In Jeremiah 5.1-6, Jeremiah fails to find one godly (just) person in the city of Jerusalem. Failing to do so God promises that judgement will come like this:

Therefore a lion from the forest will attack them,     a wolf from the desert will ravage them, a leopard will lie in wait near their towns     to tear to pieces any who venture out, for their rebellion is great    and their backslidings many. (NIV)

If indeed the wild beasts represent the judgement of God in the Old Testament through Hosea and Jeremiah, in the New Testament they take another form entirely. And this may well have played a part in Dante’s thought. It is entirely possible that Dante is thinking of the Apostle Paul's reference to 'fighting wild beasts in Ephesus' (1 Corinthians 15.32).  Of course Paul didn't mean he actually wrestled lions and wild beasts. He meant that dealing with those who opposed him there was just like being a gladiator in the arena fighting lions and bears. And the people who opposed him were the institutions of Ephesus, the city authorities, the trade guilds, the business leaders.

Dante the pilgrim, following in the footsteps of the Apostle struggles with his own 'wild beasts'. the wild beasts who had plotted against him, and exiled him from his native city in 1302. Dante the pilgrim walks in the footsteps of Paul. He also walks in the footsteps of Christ who was alone in the wilderness with the wild beasts for 40 days and 40 nights. Although the the original intention of the gospel writers may have been to conjure up the impression of a restored Eden, for Dante those accounts would have conjured up the idea of conflict and danger.

Like Paul and like Christ, Dante the pilgrim has to struggle with ferocious animals in his journey towards God, just as Dante the writer has had to in his journey.

Who or what then are these forces, these wild animals who prevented Dante from finding the true path? Interestingly these animals were all prized in one way or another in Dante's native Florence.

There is evidence that a leopard and a number of lions were kept and publicly displayed in cages in Florence in Dante's day near what is today the Loggia del Bigallo, as a sign of Florence's power and prestige.

The lion was also part of Florence's coat of arms. Scholars have noted that Dante was familiar with the writings of Richard of St Victor who had associated the leopard with the sins of deceit and fraud. The lion was associated in medieval bestiaries with the sin of avarice (because of its apparently insatiable hunger) as well as with pride. These are 'civic sins' as much as personal vices.

Was it Florence's avarice and pride that was in the front of Dante the writer's mind when he described the leopard's gaudy spots and the lion with its head held high? Is it perhaps the city that had turned against Dante and thrown him out to live a life of exile that prevents the progress of the pilgrim towards paradise?

The she-wolf is the most daunting beast of all. She proceeds terrifyingly, step by step stalking forward, threatening and relentless. Dante comments:

The very sight of her so weighted me with fearfulness that I abandoned hope of ever climbing up that mountain slope. . . . I retreated down to lower ground.

Surprisingly perhaps it is the she-wolf, not the leopard or the lion that finally causes the pilgrim to despair. Wolves were considered to be symbols of fraud and deceit as well as sexual immorality and prostitution.

In his hugely influential work The City of God, St Augustine had commented that in his time prostitutes were known as she-wolves and a brothel was known as a 'wolf den'. He suggested that this verbal link gave rise to the famous origin myth of Rome, according to which the two twins Romulus and Remus, the offspring of the god Mars and the their mother (whom he had raped) Rhea, were abandoned to die but were saved and suckled by a she-wolf. Augustine suggests that instead, they were found and fed by an unknown prostitute i.e. by a 'she-wolf'. From this play on words came the legend that it was a literal she wold who found and fed them.  In the City of God (Book 18 chapter 21) Augustine writes as follows:

“Procas ruled before Aemulius. Now Aemulius had made his brother Numitor's  daughter, named Rhea, a Vestal Virgin; she was also called Ilia, and was the mother of Romulus. The Romans wish to say that she conceived twins by Mars; for, in this way, they honoured, or excused, her unchastity. They offer as proof of this the legend that, after their exposure, the infants were suckled by a she-wolf. For they hold that this species of animal belongs to Mars; and so, therefore, the she-wolf is believed to have offered her teats to the little children because she recognised in them the sons of Mars, her master.

There is, however, no lack of people who say that, when the exposed infants lay wailing, they were first taken in by some unknown whore, and that hers were the first breasts they sucked - for ‘she wolves’ (lupae) was the name given to whores, which is why houses of ill repute are even now called ‘wolfouses’ (ilupanaria). Afterwards, it is said, they came into the care of a shepherd called Faustulus, and were nurtured by his wife Acca. And yet if, in order to convict the man who was king, and who had cruelly commanded that these infants be cast into the water, God willed to help the children through whom such a great city was to be founded, and to have them rescued from the water by His divine intervention and suckled by a wild animal: is there anything very wonderful in this? “

- Translated by W. Dyson (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)

So, according to Augustine, it wouldn't be surprising if God had supplied a real she-wolf to find and feed the abandoned babies, because God is merciful and just, but in fact the stories he has heard suggest a different explanation. Namely that it was a human 'she-wolf', a whore, who had found them.  

It is also interesting that Augustine links the god Mars with the story. The wolf, he says, is one of Mars' own creatures' i.e. a beast with a special affinity to Mars. Is it relevant that the city of Florence had adopted Mars as its own patron 'star'? It may also be relevant that the name of the Guelf faction, some of whom had ordered Dante's expulsion from Florence, was linked to the German word for wolf (Welf).  Dante's enemies in Florence were 'wolves'. It seems the clue lay in the name.

But it may not have been only Florence Dante wanted to suggest to readers' minds. In addition it seems that by the time Dante wrote the Divine Comedy the Papal Curia had adopted as its own symbol the famous statue of Romulus and Remus suckling from the mother she-wolf on the Capitoline Hill. The she-wolf was of course the defining myth of Rome’s founding. Several ancient sources refer to statues depicting the wolf suckling the twins. Livy reports in his Roman history that a statue was erected at the foot of the Palatine Hill in 295 BC. Pliny the Elder mentions the presence in the Roman Forum of a statue of a she-wolf that was "a miracle proclaimed in bronze nearby, as though she had crossed the Comitium while Attus Navius was taking the omens". Cicero also mentions a statue of the she-wolf as one of a number of sacred objects on the Capitoline that had been inauspiciously struck by lightning in 65 BC: "it was a gilt statue on the Capitol of baby being given suck from the udders of a wolf." Cicero also mentions the wolf in De Divinatione 1.20 and 2.47.

The Capitoline Wolf was widely assumed to be the very sculpture described by Cicero, due to the presence of damage to the sculpture's paw, which was believed to correspond to the lightning strike of 65 BC. The 18th-century German art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann attributed the statue to an Etruscan maker in the fifth century BC, based on how the wolf's fur was depicted. It was first attributed to the Veiian artist Vulca, who decorated the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, and then reattributed to an unknown Etruscan artist of around 480 - 470 BC.

So for centuries The Capitoline Wolf was almost universally recognised as an Etruscan statue from the early part of the 5th century BC. It was only in 2006 that an Italian art historian and restorer, Anna Maria Carruba, published a detailed critique against the accepted view. She argued that the bronze had been cast with a method unknown in classical times, and that marks left by the artist on its surface were more typical of the Middle Ages. Barely a year later in 2007, Rome’s top archaeologist and heritage advisor,  Prof. Adriano La Regina, reported that over 20 tests using radiocarbon and thermoluminescence dating don at the University of Salerno suggested that the wolf portion of the statue may have been cast between 1021 and 1153. Overnight one ancient Rome’s oldest artefacts became one of city’s youngest.

Given the pride and place of this famous statue, The Capitoline Wolf, given by the Church of Dante’s time, it adds an extra dimension to any reading Dante’s words about the she-wolf. For the wolf, the creature of Mars, the symbol of Rome and now of the church was a big thing in 13th century Italy. It is this beast that scares Dante the most, that strips away his hope and forces him to turn around.  It is this beast he says which has been ‘the despair of many’. It is not a surprise then to find that throughout the Inferno he likens various damned souls to wolves.

Again the bible may have played a part in his thinking Jesus warned his disciples to watch out for the false prophets, the wolves who come dressed in sheep's clothing. Ithink it’s too much of a stretch to say it was a direct attack on the church or the papacy of Boniface VIII but it does lend credence to the possibilities of personal corruption for those in the church who flirted with earthly temptations and sins - the very sins that destroyed souls and blocked humanity’s upward path to heavenly salvation.

For Dante there was no distinction between the inner and the outer person or between the individual and social.  The individual did not live a life apart from his or her wider life in the state and in the church. Sin was something that affected everything and everyone. These beasts may well represent sin or vices with which Dante the writer was only too familiar in his own experience but to me it seems highly likely that they represent above all the forces he saw around him which, in his mínd, prevented people finding the beauty and love of God. The Apostle fought his wild beasts in Ephesus. Dante fought his in Florence.

The mythical figures featured in Dante’s Inferno lean on a long tradition of animals as allegory. As Dante journeys through the realms of the afterlife, these beings can lend a helping hand on the long and winding road through hell, purgatory, and heaven.  While the creatures of the Inferno intend to scare sinners straight, they themselves also suffer as the embodiment of their respective sins.

While hell is where sinners languish, it remains a complex and captivating place. Dante filled his entire Divine Comedy with bizarre creatures from across literature, and they serve a similar purpose to any beast in a story: to distill morals or a lesson. Their presence makes the story memorable, even for modern readers like us today.

Dante’s Inferno brings readers on a journey through hell, replete with allegories from across time like sitting through a hellscape of a Schiaparelli haute couture fashion show during Paris Fashion Week. As time wears on, Inferno’s wild beasts offer captivating perspectives on our very modern sins of lust for affirmation, pride in our self-centredness, and an avarice for material comfort.

But I don’t wish to end on a downer because Dante is not a pessimistic poet. Most readers never proceed beyond the macabre thrills of Dante’s ‘Inferno’, with its grotesquely inventive torments. Those who do ascend from the “Inferno” find some of Dante’s most lyrical verse in his ‘Purgatorio’. But it is the least-read of the three books, ‘Paradiso’, that makes sense of the other two. It shows, Dante was not just a poet of crisis, but also a poet of hope:

The ‘Divine Comedy’ is that rarest thing, an epic poem with a hopeful ending. It is about getting a second chance - and ultimately finding joy, a Christian understanding of joy in the light of God’s saving grace.

[watchrw]

The History Of Replica Watches

The Origin of Replica Watches

Replica watches, as the name suggests, are copies of world-famous watch brands (such as Rolex, Omega, IWC, Panerai, etc.). They are produced using molds taken from the original models, with an appearance identical to the authentic versions. The term "high-quality replica watch" first emerged in China at the end of the 1980s. When the national watch industry was established, to consolidate its own watchmaking influence, China imported more than a hundred thousand sets of watchmaking equipment from Switzerland. For the sake of overall harmony, it is estimated that this equipment was distributed among Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangdong. The former two have become what are now the Shanghai Watch Factory and the Seagull Watch Factory, while Guangdong has become the largest site for watch parts assembly. It was against this backdrop that high-quality replica watches slowly emerged. In 2013, NOOB Factory's replica watches, known as the "five great pieces", soared in popularity and kicked off the era of high-quality replica watches! To this day, Guangzhou's replica watch market attracts traders from all over the world on a daily basis, with trade covering the globe. Modern high-quality replica watches now widely use domestic movements that imitate ETA movements, and the quality of these movements is quite impressive. They also perform exceptionally well in terms of accuracy.

Some watch enthusiasts who love Swiss luxury watches used to disdain replica watches, viewing them as nothing more than cheap knock-offs with poor workmanship and quality. However, once they actually encounter the replica watches from major factories like N Factory, ZF Factory, and KW Factory, they realize that even though these watches may only cost around 2,000 yuan, their craftsmanship, water resistance, luminous effects, and other features can far exceed those of Swiss luxury watches that cost over ten thousand yuan. This is why high-quality replica watches have always been bestsellers overseas.

The Two Major Bases of High-Quality Replica Watches

1. Taiwanese High-Quality Replica Watches

Taiwan is the pioneer of the replica watch industry. Whether it's replicating electronic products or Swiss luxury watches, its technology can be considered world-class. While creating numerous billionaires, it has also given rise to many new stars in the field of high-quality replica watches. Neighboring Taiwan, Fujian was among the first to establish the replica watch industry in the Pearl River Delta, operated by people from Fujian. Due to Taiwan's legal system, the official crackdown on high-quality replica watches has become increasingly stringent, leading to a gradual shrinking of Taiwan's replica watch market, which is difficult to return to its former glory.

2. Guangzhou High-Quality Replica Watches

Currently, China's replica watch market is mainly concentrated in the Zhanxi watch market in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. After twenty years of development, there are no less than a hundred replica watch factories, focusing more on quantity than on quality. Since most of their orders come from undeveloped regions overseas, with virtually no after-sales issues, these watches cannot match the quality of Taiwanese replicas. However, in terms of watch movements, these factories have produced an uncountable number of them. Well-known domestic mechanical watch movement manufacturers include the Hangzhou Watch Factory, Tianjin Watch Factory, and Guangzhou Watch Factory. The movements made by the Guangzhou Watch Factory, known as Mingzhu movements, are commonly used in ordinary high-quality replica watches. Currently, there are many watch factories on the mainland, and any reputable manufacturer has its standout products, all of which are sources of high-quality replica watches, such as N, H, ZF, KW, TF, BP, MK, JF, V6, etc. As part of a grey industry, the replica watch market is full of mixed quality, and it's very chaotic. For instance, Factory N and Factory H might share the same case manufacturer... Each manufacturer has its own models they excel at, such as Factory N's Fifty Fathoms and the Master Compressor.

What Are High-Quality Replica Watches

Appearance High-quality replica watches are modeled directly after authentic products, made to the same proportions, and typically achieve a 1:1 ratio in comparison to the originals. The materials often used include 316L stainless steel, and some high-end replicas have started utilizing 904L stainless steel for increased comfort, virtually indistinguishable from the genuine article. In terms of polishing and the finer details, replicas can now match the original watches without discernible differences.

Movement As is well-known, the heart of any watch lies in its movement. Since domestic mechanical watch movements can only perform basic timekeeping functions and have yet to achieve the more complex chronograph functions, replica watches opt to use Swiss mechanical movements. However, Swiss luxury watch manufacturers have their own unique processes for creating movements, which they use exclusively and in limited quantities. These movements are not available for purchase by others to create replicas. Consequently, replicas now extensively utilize domestic movements that imitate ETA movements, and these movements are of quite high quality, performing impressively in terms of accuracy. Common imitations include ETA 2824, 2836, and 2892 movements, particularly the 2836 is often used in Rolex replicas.

Price In the replica watch industry, pricing is primarily determined by the movement utilized. As mentioned, replica watches largely use domestic movements modeled after ETA's 2824, 2836, and 2892, among others. Watches priced between 1,000 and 2,500 yuan usually feature something like the Seagull imitation of the 2892 movement, which, in terms of finishing and appearance, closely resembles the real ETA 2892. This type of movement is often used in ultra-thin watch models. Models ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 yuan typically incorporate chronograph functions using movements from Shanghai or Dandong watch factories, imitative of the ETA 7750 series. Fiyta's aviation series and Rossini's chronograph watches, for example, utilize the 7750 movement produced in Shanghai. Watches with manual winding often employ movements from Hangzhou or Seagull factories, modeled after the ETA 6497, and are used in replicas of brands like Panerai, with accuracy comparable to the real ETA movements found in authentic Panerai watches. Prices generally range from 3,000 to 6,000 yuan, with many featuring tourbillons. The tourbillon movements used in high-quality replicas are typically from Dandong and Beijing, although arguably the best domestic tourbillons are produced by Seagull. However, due to their higher price, they are less commonly used by replica watch manufacturers.

Wearing High-Quality Replica Watches

High-quality replica watches can now emulate the functions of the original models, so correct usage and maintenance during wear are extremely important.

Water resistance depths of 30M and 50M do not mean that the watch can be submerged 30 or 50 meters underwater without allowing water in. The 30M and 50M ratings are for everyday life water resistance only, and these watches should not be worn while swimming.

General water-resistant replica watches are not intended for swimming or diving. Although they use sealing measures that prevent splashes and everyday sweat from entering, they should not be submerged in water. In real life, constant temperature and immobility do not exist. Therefore, wrist activities in water can significantly increase water pressure on the watch and, based on the principle of thermal expansion and contraction, the watch case may expand and allow vapor to enter the movement through the gaps and then condense into droplets. Over time, the movement could rust.

Leather straps, whether made of cowhide or alligator leather, have a lifespan. Generally, they should be replaced after two to three years of wear. During daily wear, try to avoid contact with chemicals and corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, and salts to prevent damage to the appearance of the watch, affecting its look and use.

It is best not to wear the watch while engaging in outdoor sports. High-speed vibrations at the wrist can damage the movement of the watch. The anti-magnetic capabilities of general mechanical watches are limited, and if exceeded, the steel components within the watch can become magnetized. The hairspring may also be affected, leading to inaccuracies in the timekeeping, either running slow or fast, and in severe cases, the watch may stop altogether.

If a mechanical watch is not worn for an extended period, it should still be wound regularly.

Mechanical watches inherently have errors, and these are larger than the errors in quartz watches. If you absolutely cannot tolerate inaccuracies, consider purchasing a quartz or digital watch.

Calendar watches cannot use the quick-set mechanism to change the date during a certain period, known as the "forbidden zone". During this time, the date changing gear teeth are aligned with the gap on the calendar disc, and using the quick-set feature can obstruct the rotation of the calendar disc, potentially damaging the components. Therefore, do not use the quick-set date adjustment during the "forbidden zone". Do not adjust the calendar of the watch between 10 pm and 2 am as this can possibly damage the movement if done repeatedly.

If wearing a watch with a leather strap style, it's better to have an additional nylon weave or rubber strap for summer wear. Sweat can cause significant damage to leather straps due to the increased likelihood of perspiration in the summer.

Purchasing High-Quality Replica Watches

Due to the unique nature of the high-quality replica watch industry, sales are primarily conducted online, as it is not feasible to open physical stores and offer public sales. Currently, the NOOB factory is highly recommended among replica watch manufacturers, so many dealers name their replica watches after the NOOB factory. There are innumerable websites selling replica watches, and online you can find sites such as the "N Factory Official Website," "N Factory Flagship Store," and various sites claiming to be associated with the NOOB factory, leading to a lot of confusion. It makes it quite difficult for an end buyer to discern where to purchase.

Online, the term "N Factory" initially referred exclusively to the NOOB factory, but it has now become a synonym for all high-end replica watches. The so-called official websites for replica watches are actually just gimmicks aimed at attracting customers. Many NOOB factory models have ceased production, and the currently available noob watches include popular Rolex models like Submariner, Sea-Dweller, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, Daytona, Yacht-Master, and a limited number of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and a few niche brands. It's unrealistic to sell only NOOB factory products. Websites typically named after the NOOB factory or N factory generally focus on NOOB factory products, supported by other major factory goods, and our website is no exception.

Our website is a replica watch dealer platform that directly cooperates with the NOOB factory, mainly used to stabilize market prices and release new models, but in the past two years, it has also collaborated with other factories. Watches on our site are straightforward, with clear categories, full range of styles, and you can find almost all major factory products here, which is convenient and reliable. The pricing is also reasonable, ensuring that customers won't be deceived. Everyone is welcome to visit and learn more.

Lastly, a few words from the heart: one should maintain a good mindset when buying high-quality replica watches. It can be said that particularly with mechanical watches, you should be prepared for the possibility of issues, and this is true even for authentic models. Although the replica watch industry may not be highly reputable, a lot of effort is put in. Do not underestimate a high-quality replica watch—the processes involved are nearly as extensive as those for the original, making the replica industry quite challenging.

[postoctobrist]

Double hyperfixation bonus: Watch for historically accurate Warsaw Pact security service cosplay?

If you look for even a second you will find lots of KGB or even NKVD branded Vostoks, like this:

All of these are ahistorical. If you like them, that's fine, but be aware you are paying for a modern imitation or alteration. Your actual KGB officer would almost certainly have worn the same kind of nicer watch available to more senior Soviet officials, particularly if they had served abroad and come back with foreign currency to spend in the Beryozka stores. A foreign watch might be unpatriotic (with one exception, which we'll get to) so that leaves you with Vostok's high-end Precision line, Raketa and Poljot:

A watch from a fraternal socialist country might also be acceptable, but the only Eastern Bloc country besides the Soviet Union with a watchmaking industry to speak of was East Germany, which nationalised all the Glashutte manufacturers into a conglomerate called VEB GUB. Here's their luxury Spezimatic model, which is a fine watch and also my answer for Stasi officers:

You might see a more military watch, like a Vostok Komandirskie or a GUB Kampfschwimmer on uniformed personnel, but for your suit and tie secret policeman the answers are quite boring. They would be the same for a lot of Soviet officials. The KGB didn't need to stand out to make people afraid of them or for people to know who they were - of course they took shameless advantage of the bureaucratic privileges that accrued under the Soviet system, but for most of its history those privileges were surprisingly limited.

[feathersnek]

Let's talk about Kodama Atwood

A little gremlin- *AHEM* A loyal reaper knight.

Our surely unbiased narrator and lead of the new cast of Tales of the Rays brand new story arc: Recollection. In our current small chunk of 3 chapters, allow me to introduce him!

On the surface:

Though he is genuinely kind and will help those in trouble at the drop of a hat, this trait is buried under a sly wit and an easygoing personality. He will not let slights towards him or his beloved ruler go unpunished. Crossing him is less likely to incur immediate backlash, and more likely to come back on the offender when they least expect it in the form of a quiet scheme. Though he isn't against getting into a scrap or resorting to more petty get-backs.

He has an almost childlike curiosity about the people and world around him. He has been noted to taste random things, including memories, and carefully observe his fellow knight's hobbies. His personality is very adaptable, giving snark remarks or honey-tongued bribery one moment, and pure hearted, genuine praise the next. He lives at his own pace. Yet he will do anything - from getting his own hands dirty to degrading himself - in order to follow his morals or help those he cares about with no hesitation.

Shall we get into more detail and how he got to this point? Follow me below the cut:

As a child, Kodama was almost killed by the enemies that have driven mankind to the brink of destruction, wraiths. Severely wounded, young Kodama was rescued by the ruler of humanity's final kingdom, Haze.

That day, having lost all of his memories as a side effect of the attack, Kodama idolized Haze and swore to become a reaper knight, and eventually her right hand man to protect her and repay his debt.

He grew up as a wastelander, a person living in colonies outside of the capital city and its luxury of a protective barrier. His life was one of bitter survival, and he learned to taste various plants to determine if they were safe to eat or sell. Though this life didn't get him down because he lived to one day meet Haze again, and this filled all of his days with hope.

As he no longer remembers his name, the villagers named him "Kodama" (A name roughly meaning "echo" that is also associated with tree spirits) because of his strange, yet to be elaborated on ability to "hear" wraiths.

Clawing his way up from the wastelands, Kodama became a rookie reaper knight, a person who can fight the normally untouchable wraiths, and finally arrived at the capital city. His weapon imitates the hands of a clock and his abilities lightly manipulate time, freezing his enemies or speeding up his attacks.

However, being a wastelander originally, he is looked down upon by most reaper knights. He is the first to come to the defense of his fellow wastelanders and of course the friends he's made in the capital. His curiosity stems from having no childhood memories of his own, and he loves to listen to the tales of other's memories - be they bitter or sweet.

And thus our newbie knight aspires for the day he can climb the ranks and finally meet his beloved ruler and thank her for saving him.

Little does he know that day is close at hand...

[cosmicanger]

New York-based artistic duo Ming Lin and Alexandra Tatarsky, behind @shanzhai_lyric, tell SC: "We are drawn to the quality of this language that emerges amidst the circumstances of fast fashion, and often comments upon the conditions of its own creation. Garbling the names of luxury brands and the verbose declarations of ad copy, shanzhai lyrics imitate but they also mock. The apparent errors are so delightful and intriguing because of this contradiction: they at once revel in and reject consumptive desire.

The lyrics often express longing for brands and products whose sanctity they puncture in the same breath."

[handeaux]

Artists and Models: Lots Of Inuendo But Little Romance Among Cincinnati’s Bohemians

Artists and their models have attracted uncharitable suspicion for centuries. A nude woman behind closed doors with a bohemian man? Fervid imaginations erupted in the form of novels, movies and Broadway shows to insinuate all sorts of hanky-panky.

In Cincinnati, the male gaze was no less intense, though, in typical Midwest fashion, Queen City men indulged in their fantasies vicariously, enlisting disreputable journalists such as Lafcadio Hearn to actually infiltrate a painter’s studio. Hearn’s exposé in the Cincinnati Enquirer [18 October 1874], headlined “Beauty Undraped: What A Wicked Reporter Saw In An Artist’s Studio,” was very much on-brand for our most peculiar scribe. The premise of the article involved a local artist informing Hearn that a “ravishingly beautiful female model” had been procured for a sitting by one of Hearn’s artist acquaintances. Hearn’s source was most likely his pal, artist Henry Farny.

Of course, Hearn cadged an invitation to the atelier and did his best to imitate a student artist or a wealthy patron or both. Inside, while a couple of students sketched on paper tablets, the master daubed a canvas mounted on an easel. Hearn was gobsmacked by his first glimpse of the naked nymph:

“She lay at full length upon a long sofa, unclad and unadorned save by the matchless gifts of nature, her white limbs lightly crossed, both hands clasped over her graceful little head, and her luxurious blonde hair streaming loose beneath her in a river of tawny gold.”

By the close of his brief essay, Hearn was overcome by the vapors and had retired to a convenient divan, cigar dangling from his tremulous lips.

For the artists themselves, nudity was business, just another product line like flowers or landscapes or grandiose portraits of corporate magnates. Posing was also business for the models, and good times yielded fewer models than recessions. The Cincinnati Post [27 March 1907] headlined a report “Prosperity Causes Famine In Models.” The recent boom in business, according to the newspaper, created a scarcity of models because so many other, less demanding, jobs attracted women and men who declined to sit motionless for hours underdressed in a drafty studio.

“All the artists are busy preparing for the spring exhibition, and without models they can’t paint pictures.”

In Cincinnati, only Wilson Russell, who apparently possessed a classic “dad bod,” was committed to posing full-time. Russell was recruited to portray “Burgomasters and peasants, devils and St. John the Baptist.” His repertoire serves as a reminder that nudity was rarely a necessity in the art world. Cincinnati artists churned out all sorts of subjects, from religious icons to genre scenes, from civic murals to family portraits.

Posing was hard work. The Commercial Tribune recounted the declining career of a once in-demand model who fell asleep while posing and had been ignored by artists ever since. Even a strapping young man was unprepared for the rigors of artistic modeling:

“An artist was lately searching for a youth with a finely developed physique to pose for the figure of a stalwart Roman. After many discouraging efforts, a young athlete was found. He performed feats of strength for the edification of the artist. Notwithstanding his accomplishments, after he had been posing for, perhaps, fifteen minutes he became so fatigued that he gave up in despair. He has not since been seen about the ateliers.”

Sometimes it was the artists who turned models against posing. Arline Haworth, an in-demand model, told the Cincinnati Post [13 November 1903] that women artists were the worst:

“Who wants to pose for women? They open the windows, give you a cold, scold you when you get tired and discuss your weak points most unfeelingly right before your eyes. Those girl students at the Academy won’t paint me, I guess. Not while there is a man artist left in this burg.”

Others found the chores of standing stock-still more appealing. If you look up at the sculptural frieze above the cornice of Memorial Hall, you will see multiple statues of soldiers and sailors, all of them replicating the virile form of James Rollins, known as the “best man-model” in the city. Rollins told the Post [23 February 1909] that years of posing had cured his chronic pleurisy. Rollins posed for painters and sculptors on the side. In his day job, he was a butler for one of Cincinnati’s Blue-Book families.

Cincinnati artists, in their own way, promoted a diversity of subjects. African Americans frequently posed for local painters. Martha Ward, an African American woman, was among the go-to models at the Cincinnati Art Academy for many years before her death in 1904.

Native American models also enjoyed artistic favor, especially for Henry Farny and his Fourth Street colleagues Joseph Henry Sharp and John Hauser. Farny was particularly attached to a Sioux tribesman known locally as Indian Joe, but among his people as Ogallala Fire. Farny got his friend a job as janitor at the Cincinnati Art Club on Fourth Street. The Art Club offered generous flextime and Ogallala Fire could take off for weeks at a time if a decent vaudeville gig came around.

Modeling was among the routes followed by young folks, mostly women, to careers on stage or in films. One of the ingenues discovered by the Cincinnati art crowd was Autumn Sims, who left small-town Indiana for the lures of Cincinnati’s Fourth Street, where she was proclaimed the “ideal type of American beauty.” Throughout the 1920s, in addition to gracing the downtown studios and the Art Academy classrooms, Miss Sims parlayed her good looks into a handful of film roles and prominent placement in a couple of magazine advertisements for cosmetics.

Cincinnati had some scandalous models, such as Elizabeth McCombs, who graced hundreds of life-sized posters advertising Cincinnati’s Fall Festival. Miss McCombs had the eye of many Cincinnati artists, but she also acquired a taste for beer and for the better things in life. She was pursued by a German baron, who decided that money was more important than beauty and transferred his affections to a Cincinnati heiress. When the police raided an after-hours saloon on Liberty Street, Miss McCombs was hauled into court and attempted to disguise herself but everyone in the courtroom knew her on sight.

Although they continually complained about the dearth of women models, Cincinnati artists were not desperate enough to hire just any young thing who strolled through the door. Farny told the Post [1b August 1904] about one such applicant who wandered in from deep in Kentucky, drawn by the allure of romance. To quote Farny:

“She was a six-foot, slab-sided woman with a face like half-ripe blackberries, and sunburnt hair, twisted in a hard, tight knot at the back of her pear-shaped head.”

The applicant refused Farny’s offer of a position as a cleaning lady, her head full of the romance she had read about in some dime novel or unsavory magazine.

Other applicants were more warmly received, although some were considerably timid about the prospect of that romantic stuff. The Post [11 July 1907] reported the arrival of a young woman, identified by the pseudonym “Miss Peachblossom” at the “Little Bohemia” on the top floor of the Harrison Building on Fourth Street. It was summer and female models were nonexistent in Cincinnati, so when she knocked on the door of David Rosenthal, she was immediately admitted and offered an opportunity to sit the very next day. She appeared promptly on time, in the company of her mother and a maiden aunt, who sat on either side of the model while the artist painted, determined that Miss Peachblossom would be exposed to as little romance as was humanly possible.

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Innovative Design, Timeless Style: Chrome Hearts Shirts Revealed

Chrome Hearts Shirts have come to represent exclusivity, elegance, and flair in the world of fashion. Richard Stark launched Chrome Hearts in 1988 as a jewelry company in Los Angeles, but it soon grew to offer home goods, clothes, and accessories as well. Chrome Hearts-shirts are currently very sought-after accessories because of their outstanding quality and distinctive style.

Background and Histories of Chrome Hearts

With its roots in Los Angeles's underground culture, Chrome Hearts has a lengthy history. Richard Stark, the brand's creator, started making silver jewelry as a pastime at first. His designs became well-liked by celebrities, motorcyclists, and singers, which helped Chrome Hearts grow into a legitimate premium brand. Chrome Hearts has remained loyal to its rebellious essence over time, creating daring and nontraditional designs that go against accepted fashion conventions.

The Distinctive Style of Chrome Hearts Shirts

The unique design aesthetic of Chrome Hearts-shirts is what makes them stand out. Every shirt is painstakingly made with an eye for detail, with elaborate symbols, motifs, and patterns that pay homage to the brand's rock 'n' roll past. The Gothic typography and skull and crossbones on Chrome Hearts tees convey an air of independence and defiance. Additionally, the company is renowned for employing premium fabrics that guarantee comfort and longevity, like silk and premium cotton.

Pop Culture and Celebrities' Influence

Globally, influencers and celebrities have developed a cult following for Chrome Hearts Shirts. Numerous well-known people, including A-list stars and well-known singers, have been seen wearing Chrome Hearts clothing on red carpets and social media. The brand's reputation as an exclusive and upscale product has been strengthened by this celebrity endorsement, which has increased demand among fashionistas who want to imitate the looks of their idols.

 Chrome Hearts Shirts: A Status Icon

In the realm of fashion, owning a Chrome Hearts shirt has come to represent status. Because of the brand's limited-edition releases and partnerships with other upscale brands, Chrome Hearts-shirts are extremely sought after by both fashion enthusiasts and collectors due to their exclusivity and scarcity. A Chrome Hearts shirt immediately upgrades any ensemble, adding a dash of refinement and luxury, whether it's worn casually or as part of a statement piece.

Where to Buy Chrome Hearts Shirts?

A few retailers across the globe, including the brand's flagship locations in major fashion hubs like Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo, sell Chrome Hearts-shirts. Chrome Hearts also offers an online store where clients may peruse and purchase the newest designs while lounging in the comfort of their own homes. Luxury consignment stores and internet marketplaces are great places to look for unique and vintage items. Because of their unmatched craftsmanship and style, Chrome Hearts-shirts are considered an investment piece by some, but they are also considered a justified extravagance by others.

Advice for Maintaining Chrome Hearts Shirts

Taking good care of your Chrome Hearts-shirt is crucial to its longevity and integrity. To avoid shrinking and color fading, always adhere to the care instructions listed on the label of the clothing. These instructions may include hand washing with a light detergent and air drying. Steer clear of harsh chemicals and extreme heat when handling your shirt as these can harm the fabric and embellishments.

Conclusion

Chrome Hearts Shirts are the pinnacle of elegance and sophistication in the fashion world. Fashion aficionados all over the world have developed a strong desire for these shirts due to their distinctive design aesthetic, high-quality fabrics, and celebrity appeal. Whether you like the brand's rebellious vibe or are just drawn to well-made items, a Chrome Hearts shirt will turn heads wherever you wear it.

FAQs:

Are shirts with Chrome Hearts worth the money?

Despite being more expensive, many people think that Chrome Hearts-shirts are worth the money because of their outstanding quality, distinctive design, and attractiveness as status symbols.

Are Chrome Hearts-shirts available for less money?

Due to their limited supply and great demand, Chrome Hearts-shirts are rarely found at a discount; nevertheless, occasionally, reductions or promotions may be available at particular stores or online marketplaces.

Are there many sizes available for Chrome Hearts-shirts?

Indeed, Chrome Hearts come in a variety of sizes to fit different body shapes. To help choose the correct size, it is advised to reference the brand's sizing chart or speak with a sales representative.

How can a Chrome Hearts shirt be verified?

It's important to buy from approved merchants or the official Chrome Hearts website to make sure you're getting an original shirt. You can also search for particulars like consistency in branding, stitching, and material quality.

Are there unisex Chrome Hearts-shirts?

Certain Chrome Hearts shirts may be made especially for men or women, while others may have a gender-neutral style. To ensure the right fit and style, it's essential to read the product description or try the shirt on.

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Jewelry House Histories: Bulgari

Bulgari – or Bvlgari – is synonymous with the glamour and decadence of Rome, the city where the jewelry and watch brand was established in 1884 by the Greek silversmith Sotirio Voulgaris (Bulgari). It soon thrived, thanks to British tourists who were visiting Rome as part of their Grand Tour.

Some telltale signs of Bulgari’s design are the references to imagery, architectural details and silhouettes from ancient Rome. The Bulgari logo is often spelt Bvlgari, in reference to the classical Italian alphabet.

Snapshot of Bulgari Jewelry over the last century

Sotirio Bulgari’s sons, Giorgio and Costantino, joined him in the family business and proposed a new direction away from watches and silverware, and towards high jewelry. The creations of the 1920s reflected French high jewelry traditions – platinum and diamonds were the order of the day, with a focus on Art Deco designs. The following decade saw more geometric diamond motifs, often set together with coloured gemstones. But by the 1940s, the house had established its own style with plenty of yellow gold, geometrically abstract designs and graceful curves.

With the vibrance of the ’60s, Bulgari brought a pop of colour to contemporary jewelry. The focus, for Bulgari, was on the visual impact created by their jewelry, regardless of the value of the gemstones. This focus on unparalleled color and pattern set Bulgari apart from their more conventional contemporaries. 

As Rome’s reputation as a glamorous party town rose, so Bulgari bold, trend-setting statement jewelry became sought-after by an international clientele. The early 1970s took the maison to Europe and the US, where the next generation of the Bulgari family made sure that the brand catered to the tastes of modern women. Iconic pieces from the ’70s include the Bvlgari Bvlgari watch, released in 1977 and the Trombino ring.

The ’80s ’90s saw Bulgari launch versatile, modular pieces designed to be worn from morning to night, such as the Parentesi collection, which borrowed a detail (the travertine junctions) from the Eternal City’s pavements for its signature motif. 

Throughout its history, unusual materials, such as steel, porcelain, silk and even wood, have elevated Bulgari creations above many of its contemporaries. The house’s bold use of colorful gemstones was much admired – and imitated. 

Today, the brand excels at everything from fragrances and luxury hotels to high-end watches. When it comes to the brand’s timepieces, instantly recognizable, iconic designs meet outstanding mechanical workings. The maison has partnered with Girard-Perregaux, one of the finest Swiss watchmaking manufacturers, for its technical work. It also acquired the Swiss watch companies, Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta, among others, to help it produce luxury watches with quality elements and mechanisms.

A Hollywood Hit

During the booming decades of the 1950s and 1960s, Rome – and Bulgari – were put firmly on the map by films such as Roman Holiday and La Dolce Vita. During their time in Rome, stars such as Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman and Grace Kelly discovered the Bulgari shop in Via Condotti and became ardent fans of the maison. Bulgari jewels have since been spotted in Hollywood films, such as Casino with Sharon Stone and Mission Impossible starring Tom Cruise. Spectacular pieces have been trotted down red carpets at the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and film festivals from Cannes to Venice.

Elizabeth Taylor glitters in Bulgari

The actress Elizabeth Taylor glittered in Bulgari jewels – it was one of her favourite maisons. The sumptuous Bulgari pieces perfectly matched her aesthetic and were a prominent part of her vast jewelry collection. She visited the Condotti store often, especially while filming Cleopatra in Rome. Many of the pieces were gifted to her by her husband, Richard Burton. Taylor’s jewelry collection went under the hammer in 2011, setting records for the most valuable sale of jewelry in auction history. Bulgari bought back nine pieces, which have become part of the Bulgari Heritage Collection.

Key Designs

Bulgari “Serpenti”

In ancient Rome, the coiled serpent symbolized wisdom and immortality. Bulgari has employed the snake motif throughout its history, using it in their lavish, polished yellow gold snake wrist watches, first designed in the 1940s, its diamond-encrusted head covering the dial of the timepiece. This design has since undergone multiple incarnations in various metals, from gold to steel, and can now be wrapped around the wrist several times.