The allure of imitation products on social media platforms such as TikTok, where the #dupe hashtag has amassed over 6bn views reflects a growing trend where half of European consumers aged 15-24 see no issue in purchasing counterfeit items.
The trade in counterfeit goods, which soared to an estimated $467bn in 2021, now represents 2.3% of total global imports, according to an OECD–EUIPO report.
This illegal industry is said to not only undermine legitimate businesses but also poses severe risks to consumer safety and economic stability.
At the heart of the counterfeit fashion industry is exploitation. Unregulated production facilities are often rife with human rights abuses, including forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported a 25% increase in detected human trafficking victims in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels. Alarmingly, children accounted for 38% of these victims.
Child labour is said to remain a stark reality with an estimated 218m children globally engaged in work, many within the fashion supply chains. Counterfeiting is not just an economic crime but a facilitator for more sinister activities such as drug trafficking, arms dealing, money laundering, and human trafficking.
In response to this crisis, The Anti-Slavery Collective’s co-founder HRH Princess Eugenie, has initiated the "Hidden Threads: Fake Fashion - A Human Rights Scandal" campaign.
This initiative aims to shed light on the human rights implications behind counterfeit fashion.
Launched during key global events like the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and New York Climate Week, the campaign seeks to raise awareness and drive action against modern slavery in fashion.
HRH Princess Eugenie said: “Behind counterfeit fashion are men, women and children coerced into making, distributing or selling fake goods - often at great personal risk and with little gain. This campaign is about creating a call to action for consumers. We want people to pause and think about where their fakes come from and how they were made.”
To foster awareness and solutions, The Anti-Slavery Collective partnered with TRACIT and Entrupy for an event at Goals House in New York.
The gathering focused on educating attendees about the risks of fake fashion and how technology and cross-sector collaborations can play pivotal roles in combating illicit trade and can highlight one of the most neglected human rights issues within the fashion industry.
The campaign calls on governments to act against illegal trade and enforce bans on forced labour while urging consumers to consider the ethical implications of their purchases.
TRACIT director general Jeff Hardy said: “Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. It is a systemic problem driven by organised crime groups, who exploit vulnerable workers while undermining legitimate businesses and costing governments billions in lost revenue. Raising awareness is critical – and this campaign is a vital step in shifting public understanding.”
