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Stunning and unique in every conceivable way, theres absolutely nothing boring about its scent profile."
Getty / Design by Ingrid Frahm
The copy in the above description does not come from Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Dossier’s creations are not counterfeits.
The dupe model for brands like Dossier is unique to perfume.
Lazy Royal, Oakcha, and Montagne did not returnAllures request for comment for this article.
These brands can exist because, unlike logos or monograms, fragrance formulas are not protected by copyright.
Dupes are the equivalent of fast fashion."
“Why are people attracted to dupes?
It’s because we are facing a situation of ignorance,” he says.
The two founded MFK in 2009; the brand was then acquired by LVMH in 2017.
“Because they would be facing the challenge of having to pay royalty to past perfumers.
So, so that crack the model, first we need to reeducate customers.”
Without making the prior investment to develop that scent, it can be cheap to do so.
And sales from a successful fragrance are necessary to fund the creation of new products.
“For the public, there is no google search to find plagiarizing in scents only your nose.”
For Laudamiel, the dupe brands are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to questionable practices.
“I think it offers people the opportunity to try a variety of scents without putting them out financially.
The Los Angeles-based hairstylist shares perfume reviews on theirTikTokandInstagramchannels, including recommendations for lower-priced alternatives.
For many consumers, the emergence of dupes has come at just the right time.
But you don’t have the means to go out and spend a lot of money on it.
In a certain sense, the advent of dupe brands could force the perfume industry to act.
And because it is now in plain daylight, I think the truly original brands will have to react.
It will force the industry to change for the better.
Without intellectual property protections for formulas, some fragrance companies have turned to technology to prevent copycats.
While technology offers some advantages, Chaya would prefer clearly defined laws to address gaps in protections.
Whether or not and exactly how perfume formulas could be offered legal protection remains up for debate.
“I don’t think fragrance should ever be eligible for copyright protection,” says Cronin.
“Dont know what an eau de toilette is?
Neither do we,” readsan Instagram postfrom affordable perfume brandSnif, which launched in 2020.
Chaya is confident that with more information, some collectorswillultimately invest in creativity and innovation.
The accessibility of dupes offers a boon in some ways as well, Laudamiel finds.
“Maybe it’s step one for them to enter a more beautiful world,” says Chaya.
“Consumers have the right to choose.
And whenever you start learning about the perfume world, then you don’t go to dupes anymore.”
