Why September Matters
September marks more than just the start of Autumn/Winter collections – it’s also one of the most critical periods for counterfeit product activity. As end-of-summer sales wrap up and Fall/Winter 2025-26 collections hit the market, consumer demand shifts dramatically. This transition fuels opportunities for counterfeiters: copying popular pieces, flooding marketplaces with fake listings, and taking advantage of early trend seekers.
At Counterfake, our data shows that September to November is historically the peak season for counterfeit surges, especially in fashion, footwear, and cosmetics.
Seasonal Transitions and Market Dynamics
- Fashion cycle acceleration: Luxury and fast-fashion brands release their Autumn/Winter 2025-26 collections, while consumers already begin eyeing Spring/Summer 2026 (SW26) trends.
- Counterfeit production spikes: Fake producers exploit both – quickly replicating new arrivals and discounting last season’s items.
- Consumer behavior shift: Coming out of heavy discount periods, buyers seek new season products at lower prices, making them more vulnerable to counterfeit alternatives.
This makes seasonal transitions a period of heightened risk for brand protection.
SW26 Trends and Counterfeit Risks
Early forecasts for Spring/Summer 2026 (SW26) highlight several fashion movements already targeted by counterfeiters:
- Bold colors & sustainable fabrics → In counterfeit production, low-quality, non-eco textiles dominate, creating consumer health and environmental risks.
- Y2K nostalgia and retro designs → Iconic items from the early 2000s are easily and quickly replicated.
- Capsule collections & limited editions → Scarce items hold the highest counterfeit value potential, often copied and resold online within days.
These trends generate genuine excitement among consumers – and simultaneously fuel counterfeit marketplaces.
Counterfake’s Perspective: AI for Seasonal Risk Management
Counterfake’s AI-powered brand protection platform gives companies an edge during seasonal transitions:
- 24/7 marketplace & social media monitoring → Detecting counterfeit products in trend-driven categories before they scale.
- Automated evidence packs & takedowns → Ensuring fakes are removed quickly across platforms.
- Trend-based reporting → Identifying which categories are most at risk, backed by September 2025 marketplace insights.
Protecting Your Brand in the New Season
September is a turning point: new collections, SW26 hype, and shifting consumer behavior create the perfect storm for counterfeit growth. To stay ahead, brands must:
- Generate seasonal counterfeit risk reports,
- Intensify monitoring of new collection launches,
- Activate fast evidence pack and takedown workflows.
With Counterfake, brands can confidently protect their Autumn/Winter 2025-26 launches and prepare for SW26 with end-to-end automated brand protection.
