I keep running across the term �designer inspired� and I know that it means that an item is inspired by a particular designer, but I�m not sure of everything else that the label implies. For instance, are the items official replicas, or is the seller just trying to cover their tracks by calling out the fake?

To be specific, I am looking at handbags and have found a few wholesalers who offer designer inspired handbags that look to be good quality and a fair price.

Is it OK to sell designer inspired items or are people just going to assume they are fakes and move on?

“Designer inspired” means that the style and design of the handbag or product has been copied from another design – usually a high-end designer such as Marc Jacobs, Prada and Gucci for example.

When a manufacturer uses the term “designer inspired” they are telling you that they have modified the popular design by changing colors, fabric, and stitching, as well as several other aspects, so they do not get accused of stealing a designer’s intellectual property.

Personally I would rather the supplier tell me they are designer inspired than try to sell me a fake product for the authentic product’s price.

Designer inspired bags are legal. Counterfeit bags are illegal. While there may be a negative stereotype attached to inspired designs at least you won’t get the merchandise confiscated.

To answer your question, yes you can sell designer inspired handbags.

I see designer inspired as just another term for fakes. For my business I only deal in authentic goods.

Now I am not saying there isn’t a living to be made selling knock offs but be prepared to deal with people complaining about the product not being real.

Even when you put “designer inspired” in the product description people sometimes still think they are purchasing an authentic designer handbag.

While that is their fault, you could still receive negative feedback due to a buyer’s oversight.

I definitely don�t want to deal with negative reviews; that�s why I was asking about designer inspired bags.

While I am aware that certain people do not want to buy knock offs, isn�t there a market for people who don�t want to spend hundreds on a purse?

Of course. Cheaper manufacturers use �designer inspired� to produce an item that closely resembles a high end product but doesn�t try to parade itself as the genuine article.

Usually the change is just in color or small details because they do not want to get sued. The designer inspired model should never include the high-end brand name or design anywhere on the purse.

On a counterfeit product, the brand name is included and the design is so similar that many times people can�t tell them apart at first. These aspects are what makes the item illegal.

I say sell away. Not everyone has $500 to spend on a designer handbag, but people who want a stylish accessory can usually spend $25 or $50 on a designer inspired handbag.