In a world full of fakes, authenticity has become more and more valuable. Yet here in Australia there is no automatic copyright protection for design and, as a result, fakes are rampant when it comes to furniture.
What a heartbreak it must be for designers who are dedicated to their craft, only to have it stolen – and make no mistake, replicas are theft that robs designers of their work and income.
Here are just a few reasons it’s important to support real over replica…
Real is quality.
A genuine piece is crafted with high quality materials, while a replica is a mass-produced item usually made with cheap materials and no respect for craftsmanship. Work conditions in factories that manufacture cheap replicas are often poor and these knockoffs definitely don’t last as long as the real deal.
Real is sustainable.
While the replica is a short-term object made from lower quality materials that do not last and end up as landfill, a quality designer piece is sustainable because it will last longer. Investing in a genuine designer piece that will last for generations is the most sustainable thing you can do! Real supports art, not waste.
Real can be an investment.
An authentic designer piece can not only retain its market value but can sometimes increase in value over time. Good quality pieces that are loved will often last longer than one lifetime and can be passed from one generation to the next or potentially sold without any loss in value.
Real has a story.
If you’re like me, you love a piece with a story! I love my Florence Knoll desk, not just because of its beautiful and robust design, but because it once belonged to a film maker and came all the way from New Mexico! The patina that develops on a quality piece is part of its legacy, even if the piece leaves your home to live with someone else.
So! If you want a genuine relationship with a piece that’s going to last, check out the authentic collection at Collécte. Make a connection with something that moves you and invest in a quality piece that will become part of your story - you won’t regret it!
Top four tips on how to identify a “real” furniture piece –
1. Brand/label – one of the easiest ways to prove authenticity is to look for the brand/label of the piece. Most authentic pieces will have a brand label – it may be a sticker on the base, a stamped company name and/or serial number, or a label tag (mainly on upholstered pieces).
2. Materials – An authentic piece is crafted with high quality materials. Often parts of a chair are made of one solid piece of wood (i.e. no joins), and there is high attention to detail such as concealing screws and perfect stitching. Replica furniture will have a general lack of finesse to the detailing such as joins, exposed screws, uneven stitching.
3. Dimensions –Dimensions are readily available on manufacturers websites. Always cross-reference with these dimensions as replica’s are often not the same size as an authentic piece. If they are not the same, then something is wrong.
4. Price – Once again, please check with the manufacturer’s online shop or the website of a retailer reputed for selling the real piece. If the price is too good to be true, then it probably is and the piece is likely to be a replica.
Images - www.knoll.com and www.ebay.com.au
