How did you first get into the replica world?
Well it all started about four/five years ago, back when I first joined Reddit. I joined the “Malefashionadvice” forum and started wearing brown leather boots, chinos and sweaters like the usual uniform in that community. Then some users started posting different brands like Acronym, Rick Owens, Julius, Common Projects and more. Some were adopted by the forum, and some was excluded which found its place in other groups.
I remember a guy bought some replicas of the geobaskets, which back then was called the 'dreamboxes'. They looked horrible compared to what you can get today. But, being the poor high school kid I was, the dreamboxes appealed to me – to think, that one could get close to the aesthetic for only $100, instead of $1000.
What was your thoughts on replicas before learning about and joining the community?
I didn't think much of replicas, before learning about them. Replicas was something you saw in China Town in a major city, or in a street market in a foreign country. They were always horrible imitations and you could clearly spot if it was a fake. It wasn’t something I’d consider wearing.
What has the progress of the community been like?
Oh man it's changed a lot! When I joined, there wasn't much of a community really. The Fashionreps forum was quite new back then. Most reps were on forums like “sneakerreps”, which turned into “repsneakers”, due to a corrupt admin getting money from Chinese sellers. Most of the reps were sneakers, usually Jordans, Roshe Runs, and Air Yeezy 2s. But there were also few reps of Supreme, Burberry and Bape. You could find reps on DHgate and iOffer, or if you dared venture out into the unknown and stumble upon Taobao.
Today there's so many options. Sellers are easier to contact, and they reach out to their customers on forums now. The sellers really listen to their customers, and they are focusing a lot more on quality and accuracy now. Some people buy replicas of the Saint Laurent Paris leather jackets and boots, that cost more than $600.
Products have become so much better both in terms of accuracy in the details, and the quality that they're made of. Just look at the Yeezy reps as an example. Almost two years ago, the best reps of the 350s looked like the ones you can buy today at target.