AAFA vs Counterfeiters

     Piracy, counterfeiting or bootlegging can be an annoying eyesore and headache in fashion retailing. Growing up, working as a urban clothing sales associate or as a sneaker head, urban fashionista or a plain old brand loyalist, I often despised the consumer who participated in the purchasing of fake apparel because these consumers adamantly believe that the product that they were wearing was not a fake. Sorry, but you have been hoodwinked and bamboozled. I understand the feeling of wanting to belong or don the latest fashions. It feels good to be in the ‘in crowd' sometimes, doesn’t it?  However, I am not always a fan of the, 'fake it till you make it' plan. In some regards, I am purest when it comes to fashion, sneakers and style. If I can afford brand, I will purchase the brand. If I cannot afford it then I can wait till I can afford it but never will I wear pirated or counterfeit shoes or apparel because I can be a clothing snob or brand slave at times. Not to mention, I may be fooling others but I am not fooling myself. 

To assist apparel and footwear companies in fighting the good fight against counterfeiters, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), provides members and visitors a like with an anti-counterfeiting coalition issue tool kit. In conjunction with the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy (CACP) of which AAFA is an active member, released recommended steps companies can use in order to protect their supply chains from counterfeiters. As mentioned on AAFA’s webpage, CACP partnered with U.S. Chamber of Commerce and provided companies with a tool kit that, “[C]ontains best practice[sic] guidelines and seven case studies of companies that devised and implemented aggressive techniques to fight counterfeiting and piracy and protects themselves and their customers”.

Back to The Future 2, the Nike Air Mags and Parkinson's

Nostalgia and clairvoyant marketing genius is what drives the new Nike Air Mags back to the future from the past and now, towards the present. I remember watching Back to the Future 2 in 80’s for the first time, as a little kid and seeing Michael J Fox’s character, Marty McFly, put on these space-age Nike’s that automatically self lace. Then to top it off, Marty hops on the Barbie Mattel pink hover board with the Nike swoosh on those kicks looking, so nice, white and crisp. I couldn’t wait for year 2015, so I can cop this hi-tech super high top Air Force One, which allows me to be lazy and not tie my own shoe. It may be better that I don’t ever get them probably end up co-dependent and fat like human sin Wall-E. Anyway, that was then this is now.

It’s 2011 and you can feel it in the Nike air, the future is upon us. Sort of, there may not be hover boards or flying Deloreans but Nike may be gearing up for a strategic three-year marketing campaign of futuristic proportions. Starting with an excellent marketing angle. Earlier this month, Nike and Michael J. Fox teamed up on a special project to help raise funds for The Michael J. Fox’s Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Nike released 1500 pairs of the Nike Air Mags through Nike’s Ebay and the first pair sold for a whopping $37, 500. Now with all the shoes currently sold out and the only available pairs, are selling on Ebay by those who initially bought it, most likely in bulk and are now reselling it for a possible profit.

Supposedly, they will be re-released in 2015, possibly with the power lacing technology. I have my finger crossed. Honestly, if I could afford to buy this shoe I would have bought the shoe but only a pair where the funds directly went to Fox’s Parkinson foundation. Frankly, besides, Muhammad Ali, Micheal J. Fox was one of the first people to educate me on the disease and making it prevalent in my life.  I would feel quite content dropping $6,000, if I knew the money was it going to the research of Parkinson disease. Now, this is of course if my income could sustain such a purchase or should I say donation. Let’s face it, Nike, has the perfect spokesperson and sponsor in MJ. Fox. Marty and Doc is all the endorsement I need to be once again reminiscent of my childhood wants, needs and fantasy. The sneaker head, Back to the Future fan boy and MJF fan would have coughed up six racks on racks on racks.

With musicians, artists, sneaker stores and sneaker heads drooling for these Limited Edition Nike Air Mags, there is no possible way Nike won’t re-release these iconic shoes, $299.99 is my guess. Ouch! Nike has given us a glimpse of their future, now only if they powered laced and came with one these cool accessories.