Many a frugal shopper have been lured by the promise of luxury goods at cheap, cheap cheap! prices. What’s not to love about getting something that looks stylish and fashion-forward for the cost of shopping at Goodwill?
But as is all too often the case in life, knockoffs are usually too good to be true. The stitching is horrible, the sizing all wrong, and the fabric low-grade.
And as Dutch photographer Jan Dirk van der Burg discovered on vacation in the Middle East, misspelled brand names are as prevalent as they are hilarious. He noticed a pair of Calvin Klein undies that said “Calven Klain” on the waistband, and a lightbulb went off over his head.
He spent the next three years scouring the planet for Calvin Klein knockoff typos, and now he’s collected them into a book, complete with hunky underwear models shot in the signature CK style.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It’s called Calvin Klein: The Dyslexic Collection, and you can get your very own copy here.
Enjoy this preview, with accompanying information about each pair of faux designer goods:
Calven Kliem
Kiev, Ukraine
10 Hryvnia ($0.44)
“Leave the metro station in a northerly direction towards Verbova Street. Turn left just before the DVD section and continue straight ahead for 400 metres. When you see the words Petrovka market in metre-high letters, turn right at the FASHION VIP clothes store. Three stalls along, you’ll find Sasha selling Calven Kliem.”
Calvni Klain
Isfahan, Iran
140,000 Rial ($5.01)
“The entrance to the Grand Bazaar of Isfahan is on the north side of Imam Square, opposite the Jameh Mosque. Ignoring the pushy carpet sellers, walk straight ahead past the souvenir shops. Turn right at the end along the lane with herbs and spices. Turn left at the T junction and you’ll find three underwear stalls at the end. Mohammed sells Calvni Klain.”
Colvin Kloin
Zugdidi, Georgia
5 Lari ($2.29)
“Walk behind the bus station towards the taxi rank. At the end, near to the minibuses to Kutaisi and Batumi, there is a market with two rows of women’s clothing. Georgi’s stall, brimming with underwear and socks, is about 50 meters along. He not only sells Colvin Kloin underwear (featuring the FC Mozdok emblem), but also iPhone underpants and Facebook perfume.”
Calven Kiein
St. Petersburg, Russia
60 Ruble ($0.96)
“Starting from the main entrance to Udelnaya metro station, take the first left towards the flea market. Turn right into the first lane of the permanent market, just beyond the railway lines. After passing three men’s shoe shops, you will find a small underwear shop where Vasily sells Calven Kiein underpants.”
Galvin Klain
Teheran, Iran
50,000 Riaal ($ 1.79)
“Leave the motorbike parking area, cross the square, and join the masses heading for the entrance to the Bazaar. Walk past the tourist carriages and clandestine currency brokers, and on the right you’ll see a group of traders on rugs selling just one product. One of them is Reza, who sells black and red Galvin Klain underwear.”
Kalvi Klan
Odessa, Ukraine
6 Hryvnia ($0.26)
“Go through the main entrance to the Privoz market and cross the food section. You’ll see the clothing department at the end of the meat stalls. Turn right again after the wedding dresses and then take the third left. Sergey running the socks and pants stall on the corner sells Kalvi Klan underwear.”
Calven Kliem
Fethiye, Turkey
6 Lira ($2.28)
“If you stand at the canal side, you will see the market stalls on the left bank. Keep left and you’ll find a sock and underwear-stall just before the next crossroads. In addition to a huge range of underpants with English texts such as ‘I LOVE KISS’, Burak also sells yellow and grey Calven Kliem underwear. (only on Tuesdays)”
Calvin Klain
Odessa, Ukraine
15 Hryvnia ($0.65)
“Starting at the ‘No photographs’ sign close to the main entrance, take the third lane to the left and walk the length of the street with the pink containers. Turn left into the street with the phone covers until you find a small lane with underwear. In the third container on the left, Kirill is selling Calvin Klain underwear and washing instructions for Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.”
Calvin Klain
Odessa, Ukraine
6 Hryvnia ($0.26)
“Go through the main entrance to the Privoz market and cross the food section. You’ll see the clothing department at the end of the meat stalls. Turn right again after the wedding dresses and then take the third left. Sergey running the socks and pants stall on the corner sells Calven Klain underwear.”
You can find more on Jan Dirk van der Burg’s website.
h/t Vice
jwtraveler
Who knew there was so much misspelled onderware in the world?
Mike G
“Calvin Klein: They Dyslexic Collection”
Newsworthy, and properly edited, no less!!!
Bob LaBlah
In the Bronx I would not find it hard to believe one could find the same typo’s for sale up there.
Mike G
@Bob LaBlah: Huh? What has the Bronx got to do with anything? Moreover, as a born, bred and almost lifelong NYer, I have to ask whether you’ve ever even been to the Bronx?
Bob LaBlah
@Mike G: Were your statement true (being a NYer) you would not have asked that because you would have been very familiar with the Fordham road j…….er, um, the Fordham Road area STORE OWNERS and their penchant for looking the other way when selling to the…lower income people. But to answer your question THAT is what my comment had to do with the article.
SteveDenver
@Mike G: “Dyslexic” cracked me up. I had dyslexia when I was little, still have it with numbers on occasion. Thumbs UP.
Maude
I have a brother-in-law whom I thought had dyslexia because he confessed
‘that he has never read a book in his whole life’
but I was wrong….
He’s just a plain mindless twit functional illiterate moron.
I love him, but I hate stupid. What a dilemma!