Luxury and high-end brands are continuously in the spotlight lately, with powerful figures in the world of fashion spearheading some of the oldest and highly-coveted labels. Whether you’re a die-hard couture enthusiast or simply interested in streetwear and sneakers, there’s no doubt at some point you’ll be exposed to high-end, the crossover in this day and age is unavoidable.
While luxury labels may showcase some of the most extravagant and in-demand garments, the downside to this is the more-often-than-not high price tag. For many people, items of this value are simply unattainable. While some even might be able to afford them, they simply don’t want to part with thousands of pounds for a branded item. That’s where a certain industry takes it’s time to shine – the world of bootleg products.
Bootleg products are often referred to simply as fakes. While they’re definitely not authorised products, there’s a clear difference between bootlegs and fakes that many fail to recognise. Bootlegs never claim to be authentic, but at the same time they do not imitate genuine products. Instead, they invent their own designs, drawing inspiration from the original source or legitimate brand.
One “bootlegger”, as these labels are known, that stood out to us is Tetecalvente. After amassing a pretty hefty following on Instagram via teasing it’s products, Tetecalvente finally launched an online store last year, showcasing an entire range of luxury-inspired bootlegs available for purchase. No stone is left unturned, with matching tracksuits, accessories, and even jewellery available!
The brand takes inspiration from many different brands, both high and low-end. It’s easy to pick out a few of our favourite pieces just by scrolling though Tetecalvente’s Instagram feed. Neon-green and pink workwear gloves similar to those worn by models during Louis Vuitton’s SS19 runway show feature both LV and Nike branding for a custom take on an unobtainable garment, while a reimagined Nike Air Jordan 1 showcases a hammer and sickle motif instead of the usual wings logo with the text above proudly reading “BOOTLEG”.
Alongside these reinvented classics, gold and silver rings showcasing classic Nike Swoosh logos are apparent, alongside totally custom lifestyle accessories such as pillows, keyrings and even basketballs. We’ve got no doubts at all that Tetecalvente has found a serious gap in the market for these products – especially with the rise in influencer culture that we’re currently experiencing.
Although the Tetecalvente online store has just launched, expect to see more products uploaded soon, and for the time being have a browse of what’s currently on offer! If you’re searching for a brand-new addition to your wardrobe there’s a high chance you might find an otherwise hidden gem here.