But Dale Turner, the outraged boss of official importers Capelli Products says that within weeks of the launch of ghd hair straighteners, counterfeit versions have started to appear on the internet.
The charity doesn’t get a penny from the fake straighteners and the Chinese-made units may also be dangerous.
He says the illegal imports are also threatening Wigan jobs at the Appleton Street firm.
Mr Turner says that the counterfeiting situation has become so bad over the past seven months that the firm is facing redundancies.
Capelli, which trades on the net selling legitimate ghd products as www.hair stuffdirect.co.uk, says latest figures show that sales of legitimate products from its website had fallen by almost 70 per cent as a direct result of the counterfeit goods.
Mr Turner warns that customers who buy counterfeit goods are not just helping to abuse internationally recognised design rights, but they are also putting their lives in danger.
He said: “This criminal activity and blatant disregard for intellectual property rights has been a particular problem since February of this year and shows no signs of coming to an end, if anything the problem is getting worse.
“I think it is disgusting that these operators are now even counterfeiting the pink ghds, which is literally taking money from a charity that is helping to fund life-saving research.”
Mr Turner is now in talks with other UK companies and is claiming “one hundred percent support” from other traders in legitimate goods.
They point out that official “exclusive Limited Edition” product was developed with the charity and is seen by them as the “the stylish beauty must-have for charitable and style conscious fashionistas”.
GHD straighteners base, West Yorkshire based Jemella Products, says it only sells to a network of approved stockists, such as Capelli of Wigan.
A spokesman warned: “Due to poor quality construction, inferior components and lack of safety checks, fake goods are dangerous and can cause electrocution, serious burns and hair damage.
Ghd has a brand protection team which works closely with Trading Standards, HMRC, UK Border Agency and the police to do everything possible to prevent the importation and sale of dangerous counterfeits.
The ghd brand protection team monitors online trade for illegal activity and takes appropriate action to prevent the sale of fake goods.”
Only genuine ghd stylers carry a two-year guarantee.
