Counterfeit fabrics manifest in stolen designs, copied from the popular collections of successful brands. These copies, in callously unethical attempts to garner their own success, are then passed off as genuine at the expense of the consumer, who later discovers the world of difference between the fakes and the genuine. It’s a sad state of affairs indeed, and one that needs immediate addressing. As a brand deeply conscious about the welfare of its customers, as well as that of the industry as a whole, Acacia invests heavily in quality and safety to ensure that their end-users’ health and welfare are not compromised. Each batch of Acacia-produced fabric undergoes vigorous testing by their partners at LABOTEX, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, thereby guaranteeing ultimate performance fabrics.
In a nutshell, ultimate performance fabrics are superior and excellent, attested to and guaranteed by lab results. They possess abrasion and durability at contract standard as well as colour fastness, are fire retardant, stain-resistant, antimildew, and are also easy to clean. Both the chemicals used in production, as well as the appropriated dosage, are safe for health. This guarantees quality, excellence, and accountability to the good of consumers.
The same is not always true in counterfeit fabrics. In testing samples of counterfeit collections now in existence in the market, LABOTEX would pass them for durability and wear resistance, piling, and water repelling qualities. However, the copies failed in terms of colour fastness and stain repelling qualities, which means transfer of colours may occur when the fabric comes into contact with clothing or handbags.
What’s truly worrying, however, are the fakes’ failures in terms of carcinogenic dyestuff and Oekotex 100. This essentially means that the copies in the market are unsafe for daily exposure to the human body. Failure to obtain a pass under the Oekotex 100 category points towards cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals in fabric treatment and dye, which is a very notable concern for longterm health.
So what can we, as consumers, do to safeguard our choices? While it is true that credible brands place their users at the forefront, ensuring quality through rigorous testing and certifications, it’s important to do ample research prior to purchasing. These questions must be asked: where is the fabric made? How was it made? What materials were used, and are the dyes safe for human contact? A credible producer will not only be able to answer all these questions satisfactorily; they will show you, in the strengths and sheer quality of their products.
And if an answer doesn’t come? Then you’ll know it’s time to choose wiser.
