SUMMARY
The luxury resale market is booming, but counterfeit products create significant trust issues. Through research with Parsons students and market analysis, I developed Digital Passport - a QR-based authentication system that creates transparency in secondhand luxury. By embedding permanent QR codes at manufacture, the system tracks product history, authenticity, and sustainability impact. This solution democratizes luxury authentication, making it easier for consumers to trust their purchases while helping businesses reduce authentication costs and protect brand value.
challenge
Through interviews with Parsons students and market research, I identified critical gaps in luxury resale authentication. Consumers lack reliable ways to verify authenticity, with 25% having unknowingly purchased counterfeits. Resale businesses struggle with costly, time-consuming authentication processes. Luxury brands need better protection against counterfeits in the secondary market. These challenges presented an opportunity for a unified authentication system that could create transparency, reduce costs, and build trust while supporting sustainability in the circular economy.
Outcome
The Digital Passport system combines manufacturer-embedded QR codes with a mobile app to create a "CarFax for Designer Bags." Each luxury item receives a permanent, subtle QR code linking to its complete history - from production through each resale. This addresses key stakeholder needs: consumers get instant authentication and product history, businesses reduce authentication costs, brands maintain quality control in the secondhand market, and the system promotes sustainability by tracking environmental impact. The solution creates transparency and trust while maintaining luxury aesthetics.
