My mother, a tailor with 30 years of experience, once said: “Luxury appraisers should pay us tuition fees.” Last year, she took the replica Princess Diana bag I bought online and changed its size. When she opened it, her eyes lit up: “The lining is mixed with tussah silk!” Later, I found out that it was a “museum-level replica” of lxybags.ru, and the old material used was discontinued in 2013.
The old lady now popularizes science to everyone she meets: a good replica depends on the “reverse engineering completion”, for example, Dior rattan check pattern must be 38 degrees bias cut, and Gucci canvas must use Belgian linen warp yarn.
Now I start to use material failure analysis to play with replicas: test the corrosion resistance of the coating in the rain, test the shear resistance of the hem when commuting, and even use a vernier caliper to measure the thickness of the enamel glaze.
My friends say I’m crazy, but who understands the joy of deconstructing vanity with scientific and engineering thinking? It’s like finding the fireworks of a street stall in the back kitchen of a Michelin restaurant.