# Faking Awesome A range of innovations create the illusion of wealth, despite the credit crunch. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Oct 7, 2008, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/fake-reality-a-range-of-innovations-to-create-the-illusion-of-wealth-despit ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.6/10 - Evidence articles: 11 ## What is the Faking Awesome trend? **Faking Awesome:** These products create false illusions and reflect the fascination with image. In the 2008 report, we likened it to wealthy individuals who dressed simply or the less affluent who coveted counterfeit brands. With the credit crises leading into 2009, consumers will seek to uphold their economic reputations. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 11 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 29 to Sep 8, 2008 - Published: Oct 7, 2008 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Faking Awesome trend ### Counterfeit products Consumer demand for counterfeit designer products reflect the fascination with image, offering potential disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses to create new and unique counterfeit items that satisfy demand for designer products. ### Faux branding The popularity of creating faux branding or imitating well-known brands presents disruptive innovation opportunities for new companies to create similar-looking products and services that resonate with consumers who place high importance on image and status. ### Computer-generated imagery The use of computer-generated imagery or special effects to create impressive visual spectacles such as the fireworks footprints during the Beijing Olympics offers disruptive innovation opportunities for businesses to create unique and memorable experiences for consumers. ## What the Faking Awesome trend means for industry ### For Fashion Counterfeit designer products and faux branding have a significant impact on the fashion industry, particularly in luxury goods, presenting disruptive innovation opportunities for companies to create new counterfeit fashion items that resonate with consumers. ### For Entertainment The use of computer-generated imagery to create impressive visual spectacles in events such as the Beijing Olympics presents disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the entertainment industry to create unique and spectacular visual experiences for consumers. ### For Consumer goods The creation of innovative designs that fake everyday items such as moldy anti-theft lunch bags presents disruptive innovation opportunities for companies in the consumer goods industry to create new products that reflect the fascination with image or offer unique product design. ## Trend signals for Faking Awesome Trend score 5.6 out of 10, from popularity 73%, activity 86%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 73% - Activity: 86% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Faking Awesome trend 11 featured examples from Feb 29 to Sep 8, 2008. - [Faking Lesbianism?](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katy-perry-kissed-girl): Katy Perry's 'I Kissed a Girl' is Billboard's 1000th #1 (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Opportunity for record labels and artists to capitalize on controversial and provocative music to increase album sales and gain media attention. - [Anti-Theft Lunch Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anti-theft-lunch-bag-sherwood-forlee): Fake Mold Sherwood Forlee Plastic Bags (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the consumer goods industry by developing new anti-theft products with innovative features and designs. - [Counterfit Shoes Brand YOU](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-knock-offs-bogus-brands): Fake Nikes Tattoo Your Feet (Category: World) Implication: The counterfeit footwear market presents both a challenge and an opportunity for footwear manufacturers to innovate and protect their brands by creating new anti-counterfeit techn… - [Faking Olympic Fireworks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fireworks-footprints-were-faked-beijing-olympics): Beijing Olympic Footprints were CG Fakes (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Exploring how computer-generated visual effects and virtual reality technology can enhance live events in various industries such as sports, music, and theatre. - [Fake Metal Bikinis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/body-armour-organic-armor-bikinis): 'Organic Armor' Bustier Sets (Category: Fashion) Implication: Fashion companies can explore incorporating organic armor and similar materials to create lightweight everyday wear clothing items and accessories. - [Fake Food Wallets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toast-and-bacon-wallets-security-and-silliness): Toast and Bacon Wallets (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Retailers can innovate by stocking and marketing whimsical food-themed items to lend a fun and humorous element to their offerings. - [Faking Status With Counterfeit Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/counterfeit-cars-knock-off-ferrari): Knock Off Ferraris (Category: Autos) Implication: Identifying opportunities for luxury car manufacturers to enhance their authentication processes and combat counterfeit car sales. - [Faking Street Cred](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/faking-street-cred-hero-tattoos): Hero Tattoos (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new tattoo techniques or technologies that enable more intricate and hyper-realistic designs for storytelling tattoos. - [Fake iPhone Landlines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/openframe-redresses-home-landlines): The OpenFrame Home Phone (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the telecommunications industry by developing innovative products that merge traditional landlines with smartphone functionality. - [Fake Inflatable Teapots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fake-inflated-teapots-plastic-t-pot): Plastic T. Pot (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Possibility to redefine traditional home decor items by incorporating unexpected materials and designs. - [Fake Electronics Made of Felt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plush-portables-felt-versions-of-electronic-classics): Plush Portables (Category: Unique) Implication: The textile industry can explore the market potential of creating plush versions of popular electronic gadgets as a unique and creative product category. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Makeup Artist Jewelry Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandora-x-pat-mcgrath) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)