A Behind the Scenes Look At China's Fake Sneaker Operations
It's no secret that China is awash with counterfeit goods, but within the world's most industrious nation, one city reigns supreme above the rest as the fake sneaker capital: Putian. Keen to understand this lucrative trade, VICE News Tonight on HBO ventured to the eastern Fujian city to meet with a counterfeit footwear vendor, indentified only as 'Chan', and take a behind the scenes look at his 'replica sneaker' operation: Chan Sneakers.
The team discovered that local authorities seemingly turn a blind eye to the blackmarket trade — although that doesn't stop Chan from wearing a face mask to conceal his identity in the interview. Interestingly, Chan began the operation — which he runs out of an apartment unit — in 2016 while studying med school in the UK and quickly started shifting 120 pairs a day, equating for a staggering $100,000 a month in sales.
The expose is a must-watch look behind the scenes of one of the shadiest sides of the sneaker scene. Check out the full video below.