Garment Guard

Release: Late 1995, Early 1996

Worried that your US$1,400 Donna Karan jacket is a cheap knockoff slapped together in a South Korean sweatshop? With a new system developed by DNA Security Technologies, you may soon be able to verify the authenticity of your clothing by reading DNA base pairs stored within the fabric. Yep, you read that right - DNA. Counterfeiters beware. DNA Security Technologies's process amplifies a short stretch of DNA a millionfold, synthesizes it, and mixes the microscopic particles into a laser-sensitive dye that includes shipping and brand name information. Finally, these coded particles are magnetically attached to the fabric. Once DNA-tagged clothes are on the rack, counterfeit experts can conduct spot checks for phony threads using hand-held laser readers that reveal a manufacturer's DNA code.

DNA Security Technologies has already promised its new Garment Guard System to trendy No Fear - a clothing company that estimates counterfeit losses have topped more than $6 million this year.

All you label-conscious fashion slaves: Accept no substitutes. Look for the DNA seal of approval.

DNA Garment Guard System: US$.02 per article of clothing. DNA Security Technologies Inc.: +1 (310) 337 7779.