Social media has a part to play in almost all aspects of our decisions. Although it started as a platform to strengthen social bonds, it has benefited businesses more than social bonds. In a research conducted by Sprout Social, it was found that 74 per cent of shoppers make buying decisions based on social media.

So, the question is does social media, (which includes fashion bloggers, influencers) lead people to buy fake and flaunt?

According to Dubai-based fashion blogger Mea Gold (@mea_gold), who has 144K followers on Instagram, it does; but the issue is way bigger than trying to find an answer on social media alone. "I believe society has gone to a direction where what you wear becomes more important than who you are; and that's the issue. Personally, I believe shopping designer items is a luxury and I treat it as such. If I reached a certain goal of my life or if I have a special occasion to celebrate and surprise myself with a designer item I would go for it. If you treat luxury shopping this way, you would never even consider buying fakes.

"This isn't about just "buying new stuff". This is an experience, from the moment you start dreaming about it. You plan your outfits around a new bag - even if it's just imagination at this point. Walking out from the store with your favourite brand feels like nothing else. Pride, luxury, excitement and fulfillment. That's the whole experience why it's worth the price tag," she said.

She added that people who buy fakes will never experience this and that's why they are completely fine with ordering some cheap counterfeit stuff and tell everyone it's real. But they know it's not. "They are lying to themselves even more than they are lying to the world. And that's the bigger problem because this can cause mental illness."

Fashion lover Mariah Siddiqui said more than anything, it is the society, where social status matters a lot and people judge others by the brands they wear, compels buyers to go for brands by hook or by crook. "I am very fond of style and brands but that does not mean I only buy brands. I buy what I find stylish. But when I put up my picture with wearing branded shades, many wouldn't know how hard I worked to buy it or what all I sacrificed or how I saved to get it. They do not know the story behind it.

"Yes, I do blame social media to a certain extent for making people feel they 'don't have enough' or that they are lesser beings," Mariah said.

The term "social influencers" represents individuals who have a significant following on social media. With a large audience following their posts each day, they're often targeted by businesses to promote products. Additionally, with celebrities sharing their million-dollar lifestyles on platforms such as Instagram, many people who can't afford a luxury lifestyle resort to purchasing counterfeits in order to have a slice of the pie.

According to the PwC total retail survey 2016, 45 per cent of global respondents said that reading reviews, comments and feedback influences their shopping behaviour. Social influencers also tag the store or brand of the products they use in their posts. This makes the followers familiar with the brand and influences their purchase.

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