*UPDATE – Read more about other Givenchy versions:
The success of Givenchy Fall Winter 2011 Rottweiler print has drawn huge attention in the fashion world. Some clothing retailers and manufacturers in China oversee this opportunity to replicate the famous Givenchy Rottweiler print, and sell them at 4 times cheaper than the original retail price. Consumers can easily acquire these replicated Givenchy Rottweiler T-Shirt from the infamous website, iOffer.com. iOffer.com is an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods worldwide. The retail concept behind iOffer is similar to eBay, except there is no buyer protection policy supported by Paypal.
Since the beginning of this year, I spotted a number of fake Givenchy Birds of Paradise T-Shirts on iOffer that were selling around $80-$130. These replicated version has a dull contrast, the BOP print is distorted and looks like it was finished with colour pencils. I am assuming the original print was ripped off from the internet via Barneys New York or LuisaViaRoma where they did an early pre-order of the $785 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt.
How do you spot an authentic and a fake Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt?
AUTHENTIC
Source: Mr Porter
Source: Barneys New York
Source: Mr Porter
Source: drblogspot.blogspot.com (Above here is a size S, equivalent to true size XL. Purchased from Cannes, France)
Source: drblogspot.blogspot.com (Above here is a size XS, equivalent to true size L. Purchased from Mr Porter)
Source: Riccardi Boston
Source: Mr Porter
Source: drblogspot.blogspot.com (Above here is a size S, equivalent to true size XL. Purchased from Cannes, France)
Source: drblogspot.blogspot.com (Above here is a size XS, equivalent to true size L. Purchased from Mr Porter)
The authentic version only comes in Columbian Fit, also know as Oversize. There is no Slim Fit or Regular Fit for Birds of Paradise. The smallest size of the authentic Birds of Paradise version is XS, Extra Small; equivalent to true size L. There is 3 colours for sale, Black, Ivory and Aqua (Mint). The authentic digital print on the T-Shirt is bold and rich, there is a lot of colour density in the print. The Birds of Paradise print looks sharp from a distance. It is very distinctive and attractive to ones eye.
The original measurements of the authentic version are:-
Source: Riccardi Boston
Extra Small Measurements:
Shoulders – 19 inch., Armpit – 23 inch., Length 27 inch.
Small Measurements:
Shoulders – 20 inch., Armpit – 24.5 inch., Length 27.5 inch.
Medium Measurements:
Shoulders – 20.5 inch., Armpit – 24 inch., Length 29.5 inch.
Large Measurements:
Shoulders – 21.5 inch., Armpit – 24.5 inch., Length 30.5 inch.
FAKE
The replica version comes in Slim Fit and the popular size is M, Medium. There is no Oversize fit for this replicated version. The only available sizes are M, L, and XL. There are two colours of the replicated Birds of Paradise, which is White and Black – Recent Copy. The print is distorted and the Birds of Paradise does not have a strong vivid structure like the authentic version. It looks flimsy, as if the print is about to collapse from far. The colours are very dull, and looks like it was coloured with pencil. The Givenchy signature black star on the left shoulder is cropped as a result of defective replication in design (Take notice on all the replica versions).
The original measurements of the replica version are:-
Source: iOffer
Medium Measurements:
Shoulders – 42 cm, Armpits – 96 cm, Length – 70 cm
Large Measurements:
Shoulders – 44 cm, Armpits – 100 cm, Length – 72 cm
Extra Large Measurements:
Shoulders – 46 cm, Armpits – 104 cm, Length – 74 cm
Beware there are many replica versions of the Givenchy Birds of Paradise now on eBay. Most of these are on auction to tempt potential buyers into bidding. Do not be tempted to bid on it as they are not authentic. If you are one of the unfortunate buyer who bought a replica version recently from eBay, you may still have a chance to file a case on Paypal and claim for full refund. Paypal and eBay has strong policies that protects buyers against replicated designer goods in eBay.
If you are unsure about purchasing on eBay, try other websites like Barneys New York, Mr Porter, Riccardi Boston and Bergdorf Goodman. BG has sales now on the Birds of Paradise T-Shirt ($471 mark down from $785). Generally I would advice everyone to avoid buying high-end designer goods on eBay as there are many replicated versions floating around the website. If you file for a Paypal claim, it will take around 30-45 days to get back your money back, it would not be worth the trouble. And most of the time, Paypal requires the buyer to pay for return postage fees which will occur to further lost on the buyer.
The imitation copy has printing defects, I presume that there is only one manufacturer out there producing these fake Givenchy Spring Summer 2012 Birds of Paradise T-Shirt.
These images below are taken from eBay. I have disclosed the seller’s information, these sellers has a range of 10-300 positive feedback. Although they seem trustworthy they are not. You can easily tell they are not genuine by careful observation. The listing states that they are 100% Authentic when they are not, I have highlighted the main errors.
Other imitation versions produced elsewhere in the world. These versions has less obvious printing error but devastating colours.
Below here is a imitation version found from a Canadian seller on eBay.
Below here, various imitation versions found from an Italian seller on eBay.
If you are unsure about purchasing on eBay, try other websites like Barneys New York, Mr Porter, Riccardi Boston and Bergdorf Goodman. BG has sales now on the Birds of Paradise T-Shirt ($471 mark down from $785). Generally I would advice everyone to avoid buying high-end designer goods on eBay as there are many replicated versions floating around the website. If you file for a Paypal claim, it will take around 30-45 days to get back your money back, it would not be worth the trouble. And most of the time, Paypal requires the buyer to pay for return postage fees which will occur to further lost on the buyer.
