A popular luxury fashion page on Instagram, T20Luxury, has accused renowned Nigerian comedian AY Makun of showcasing a counterfeit Hermès bag.
The controversy erupted after the comedian shared a photo of himself with the designer accessory on his Instagram page in February.
On Sunday, T20Luxury reacted to the post, calling out AY Makun for allegedly promoting fake luxury fashion. The Instagram page, known for reviewing high-end brands and exposing counterfeit products, shared a side-by-side comparison of the comedian’s bag and an authentic Hermès version.
T20Luxury calls for authenticity
In its statement, T20Luxury urged him to refrain from supporting counterfeit fashion. The post read:
“Dear AY, as a key stakeholder in the entertainment industry and a beneficiary of genuine creativity, it’s more honorable to refrain from supporting the counterfeit fashion industry. Upholding authenticity is important to preserving our reputation as leaders within the Black community.”
The luxury page emphasized the importance of promoting original products, urging celebrities and influencers to set the right example for their followers.
Mixed reactions from the public
The accusation has sparked widespread debate online. While some social media users criticized AY Makun, others defended him, suggesting he may have unknowingly purchased a fake item.
One Instagram user, @mr_jakan05, commented:
“Nigerian celebrities and their fake lifestyles are not helping us Nigerians, both home and abroad.”
Another user, @matete4real, speculated that AY Makun might have been misled by a personal shopper. @mr.charleswealth joked about the situation, saying:
“It’s the same bag, but AY’s own was rushed. Nobody’s gonna know.”
Not everyone saw an issue with the situation. @cindy_official1111 stated:
“I love original items too, but it’s his choice.”
A user, @segun122, shared a piece of financial advice, arguing that people should avoid fakes and instead opt for second-hand original items or more affordable authentic brands. He wrote:
“Back in my university days, I told my friend—why buy a fake designer brand-new item when you can get an Akube (used original) or a brand-new ZARA outfit and wear it with pride?”
Ethical debate over counterfeit fashion
While some online users find the issue trivial, others believe that promoting fake luxury brands can harm the fashion industry. One comment by @gabzy.001 compared the situation to piracy in the entertainment industry. He wrote:
“I don’t support calling him out online, but for those defending him just because he’s famous, I hope he won’t complain when people start pirating his movies.”
The debate has reignited discussions about the impact of counterfeit fashion on the global market. Many argue that celebrities should be more mindful of the brands they promote. Others believe it is unfair to publicly shame someone who may not have known the item was fake.
As of now, he has not responded to the allegations. It remains unclear whether he knowingly purchased a counterfeit Hermès bag or was misled by a third party.
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