Brioni label - straight up fake or something less sinister?

[khigh]

Hi all - first timer.

I got a (preowned) suit with this label in it.



It's clearly not a "real" Brioni label

The suit is OK on its own merits, but nothing special. No canvassing, middle of the road cloth, plus it's an American business suit - two button vented. I'd put it in the JoS.A.Bank to Hart Schaffner Marx range.

I gave something like $6 for it, and on the secondary market at a charity thrift, so I'm not "supporting" fakes, and I'm fully prepared for it to be counterfeit, but I thought I'd ask. The thing is that since it's a DIFFERENT label is what makes me wonder if there's some real connection. Obviously if it had a normal Brioni label sewn in, it would be more obvious.

Was there ever some sort of licensing deal where they did something with a department store or something for a "value line" or that kind of thing? (Pucci doing that comes to mind) Or is straight up counterfeit the only option.

I'd appreciate any input. If there's no reason for it to be connected to Brioni in any way, I'll remove the label.

Thanks,
Kevin