From identifying the right stitching on a Chanel bag to the dial of a Rolex – A business school in China is teaching students how to detect fake luxury products.


It’s no secret that China is the world’s biggest market for luxury goods, and also their counterfeits. This is why a new career has emerged to tell the difference between the two worlds and save innocent but rich buyers from a debacle. Called ‘Luxury Appraisers, ’ they are eagle-eyed differentiators of real from fake, trained to triage handbags, belts, and garments for dodgy serial numbers, stitching, and logos. Zhang Chen, the founder of the Extraordinary Luxuries Business School, started a seven-day course that teaches students how to detect forgeries, value second-hand goods, and the skills needed to appraise luxury products. With the second-hand luxury market booming in China (the market reached a value of 17.3 billion Yuan in 2020), it is imperative to learn the rules of luxury.


Zhang’s students are hooked on his every word, “The lining of a black Chanel handbag must be pink,” he says. “Pay special attention to the scratches around the buckle, as a lot of people get manicures these days,” Zhang warns. The course trains them in guiding people who are keen on purchasing a second-hand but original product. Interestingly, Zhang takes around 10 seconds to tell if a product is real. If you are interested in joining the Chinese school of detecting fakes, you know whom to ask.

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[Via: The Japan Times]

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With over 15 years of experience in luxury journalism, Neha Tandon Sharma is a notable senior writer at Luxurylaunches. Her expertise spans luxury yachts, high-end fashion, and celebrity culture. Beyond writing, her passion for fantasy series is evident. Beginning with articles on women-centric gadgets, she's now a leading voice in luxury, with a fondness for opulent superyachts. To date, her portfolio boasts more than 2 million words, often penned alongside a cappuccino.