There are few artists who can seamlessly jump from the hallowed halls of contemporary art museums to the frenetic aisles of a Uniqlo store, all while maintaining an unmistakable air of cool. Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, is one of them. While today we see his Companion figurines globally and his collaborations defined by accessibility, true veterans of the streetwear game know that the real magic—the purest expression of his commercial vision—was encapsulated in a defunct label: Original Fake.
And for me, zeal replica bags reviews there’s nothing that embodies that era of scarcity and genuine street credibility quite like the KAWS Original Fake bag.
I remember discovering Original Fake back in the late 2000s. It felt like an exclusive club. Everything released under the OF banner, a collaboration with Medicom Toy, wasn’t just clothing or accessories; it was wearable art that sold out instantly and commanded insane resale prices. It was a time before the widespread democratization of KAWS. If you owned an Original Fake piece, you weren’t just a collector; you were an insider.
It’s this enduring mystique surrounding Original Fake—which tragically closed its doors in 2013—that makes those bags such monumental pieces of archival history.
The Anatomy of Original Fake: Why the Legacy Endures
To understand the allure of the bag, we must first understand the brand that birthed it.
Original Fake launched in 2006 in Tokyo’s Aoyama district. It wasn’t just KAWS slapping his ‘X’ eyes onto existing silhouettes; it was a deeply curated line of apparel, accessories, and small goods that synthesized street culture, pop art critique, and high-end Japanese craftsmanship.
The brand’s name itself, “Original Fake,” is a brilliant paradox that speaks directly to KAWS’s artistic themes: the blurring lines between mass production and authenticity, between commercialism and originality. He challenges the viewer (or wearer) to question what is genuine in a world saturated by branding.
When the line ceased operations, it wasn’t a failure; it was a move KAWS made to focus more intensely on his gallery and fine art practice. This exit ensured that every single item produced during that seven-year run immediately became a prized collectible, skyrocketing in value because the source had literally dried up.
The Bags: More Than Just Carriers
Original Fake produced a variety of bags, ranging from sturdy canvas totes perfect for carrying art supplies or vinyl, to sophisticated ballistic nylon backpacks, often in collaboration with luggage specialists like Porter (Yoshida & Co.).
What set these bags apart was the subtlety of the design, which contrasted sharply with the maximalist graphic prints of some of the apparel. The bags were often utilitarian, but infused with the signature KAWS motifs:
The Companion’s Anatomy: Often, the lining of the bag featured an all-over print of the Companion’s visible organs (Chomper teeth, torso anatomy). This turned the interior—the part only the owner sees—into a private piece of art.
The X Mark: The “X” eyes were usually embroidered subtly on a zipper pull, a corner tab, or debossed into leather patches.
High-Quality Materials: Unlike standard streetwear collaborations, the materials used (heavy-duty nylon, thick leather trims, robust hardware) ensured these bags could handle serious use, cementing their status as long-lasting goods.
I believe this attention to detail is why collectors are willing to pay thousands for a well-maintained piece today. They aren’t just buying a logo; they are buying an artifact of KAWS’s most focused commercial era.
Archival Spotlight: Iconic Original Fake clear kelly bag replica Styles
While the Companion figures often steal the spotlight, I’ve always been fascinated by how the Original Fake bags integrated functional design with KAWS’s iconography. Here are a few notable types that still pop up on the secondary market:
Bag Style Key Design Features Year Range (Approx.) Collectibility Rating
OF x Porter Luggage Ballistic nylon, replica louis vuitton man bag multiple compartments, subtle X-eye stitching, gg soho disco bag replica collaborative tag. 2009 – 2012 Extremely High (Hype + Utility)
Companion Tote (Canvas) Heavy raw cotton canvas, large screen-printed Companion graphic (often anatomical), internal pocket. 2007 – 2010 High (Iconic Imagery)
Chomper Waist Bag Small, nylon sling bag featuring the “Chomper” teeth design incorporated into the zipper or trim. 2011 – 2013 Moderate-High (Streetwear Appeal)
Anatomical Backpack Large capacity backpack with exterior minimalist design but an interior fully lined with the anatomical Companion pattern. 2008 – 2012 Very High (Rarity & Complexity)
The Thrill of the Hunt and the Price of Authenticity
Searching for an Original Fake bag today is less like shopping and more like an archaeological dig. They are rarely available, and when they do surface, they come with a hefty price tag and the constant worry about fakes.
The secondary market for Original Fake is brutal, yet mesmerizing. Prices for a clean, deadstock backpack can easily creep into the four-figure range, zeal replica bags reviews rivaling the cost of high-end designer luggage. This scarcity leads to a necessary vigilance when buying vintage pieces.
As KAWS himself stepped more into the spotlight, his work opened up the conversation about what constitutes “art” in the modern age. As curator Michael Darling noted:
“KAWS has managed to appeal to the fine art world, the commercial world, and the collecting world all at the same time, which is almost impossible.”
This tension—between the fine art approach and the mass commercial appeal—is perfectly preserved in the bags from the Original Fake era, which represent a period where KAWS balanced his commercial interests with high-end exclusivity.
My Checklist for Authentic OF Bags
If you, like me, are considering dipping into the secondary market for one of these vintage treasures, be warned: fakes are rampant. I always use a specific checklist before committing to a purchase:
Examine the Tags: Genuine Original Fake tags feature crisp typography and high-quality stitching. Look for the joint Medicom Toy/Original Fake logo.
Check Hardware: Authentic bags used YKK zippers or stamped metal hardware bearing the OF logo or Companion features. Cheap, generic hardware is an immediate red flag.
Inspect the Stitching: Japanese manufacturing standards are high. Look for tight, uniform, and precise stitching, especially around stress points and logos.
Confirm the Lining: If the bag is purported to have an anatomical lining, the print should be detailed and sharp, not blurry or faded.
Seller History: Always buy from established vintage dealers or collectors with a strong track record of handling authentic KAWS/Original Fake merchandise.
The Enduring Legacy
While KAWS happily collaborates with brands like Dior and Sesame Street today, expanding his reach exponentially, I often look back at the Original Fake era with a sense of nostalgia.
The Original Fake bag isn’t just a container; it’s a physical memento of a unique moment in art and streetwear history—a time when exclusivity was paramount, and hermes zeal replica bags reviews bags for sale the barrier to entry was high. It represents when Brian Donnelly was transitioning from a graffiti artist disrupting billboards into the global art phenomenon he is today, maintaining a tight, carefully controlled output.
Holding one of these bags isn’t just carrying your belongings; it’s carrying a piece of art history. And for a collector like me, top quality zeal replica bags reviews chanel bags that’s priceless.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When did Original Fake officially close?
Original Fake officially closed its store and ceased operations in May 2013, making all merchandise produced before that date archival.
Q2: Are all KAWS bags today considered “Original Fake”?
No. Original Fake was a specific brand partnership with Medicom Toy that ran from 2006–2013. Any KAWS bags released today (e.g., KAWS x Uniqlo, the tote bag replicas KAWS x Dior) are new collaborations and are not considered Original Fake pieces. Original Fake pieces are identifiable by the specific OF branding tags.
Q3: Why are the Original Fake bags so expensive now?
The high price is due to three factors: Rarity (the brand no longer exists), the Artist’s Value (KAWS’s art prices have exploded), and Quality (the items were manufactured to high Japanese standards).
Q4: Was Original Fake just clothes and bags?
No, the line included apparel, bags, accessories (like keychains and pillows), and collectible vinyl toys, often released in limited drops.