The champions of copying strike again…
China and East Asia in general has long been the producer of tons of fake and copycat goods that find their way onto market stalls across Europe, enabling those of normal means to afford their very own Gucci or Fendi handbag. After reports of a fake Apple store in China earlier this year which showed the usual stringent attention and reproduction of detail, it seems that Scandinavian friendly furniture giants Ikea is the latest brand to be targeted and reproduced Chines stylee. Perhaps the use of blue and yellow conjurs up the same image for the Chinese public as it seems to for Europeans – stylish, simple, and a symbol of clean and healthy living. There is no denying the store is a copy – it would be interesting to see if the products themselves are as authentic in their duplication? and are scores of Chinese currently sat at home scratching their heads, as they try to assemble a piece of flat pack furniture that promises to be the answer to a wonderfully stylish & modern home, finding that the key piece that should hold it all together is nowhere to be seen! (first seen on www.jkr.co.uk/design-gazette/)
