How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton
1. How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton
We get to see at least one fake Louis Vuitton every week and while a lot of customer's might have been fooled years ago. This simple guide will help you spot the difference. Remember it's not just Louis Vuitton fakes you need to look out for, there are fakes representing all of the leading brands. DCFE is doing what it can to spot some of them, but you can protect yourself with some of our top tips:
2. Know your LV parts
Was it ever made by Louis Vuitton? This sounds straightforward enough but you'd be surprised. We spoke with one customer who asked us to sell a black vernis Louis Vuitton Houston for her. She'd bought it online and it cost her over €400. One problem, however, Louis Vuitton has never done Vernis in black! Check the Louis Vuitton website and make sure that the bag you are looking for was ever made by Louis Vuitton. This is especially common in Multi-coloured bags (there was never an Multicolour Backpack, Ellipse, Papillon, etc), Cherry Blossom (no CB Speedy, Alma nor Cabas tote, Pegase), Cerises (no Papillon, Ellipse, Cabas Piano, Mezzo or Alto) or vintage pieces.
Know the sum of its parts: What is it "supposed" to be lined with? Should it have feet? What does the base look like? Should it have a d-ring inside? Does it have a date code? Should it? Where? You can check the Vuitton website or your local retailer for this information.
For example: If it's supposed to be lined in brown cotton canvas, it needs to be lined in brown cotton canvas. There have never been brown suede linings - even in LV vintage pieces. Alcantara looks like a suede material, but it isn't suede and although is found in a greyish mushroomy color, it isn't found in dark brown. A Speedy of any age should have brown cotton canvas lining, so if you see any other lining you know it isn't authentic. The lining of a Speedy does not look like this:
Louis Vuitton Tags:
When you buy a genuine Louis Vuitton from a boutique it will come with tags - but they are NEVER attached to the bag. Other designer labels like Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Coach use them - but Louis Vuitton tags are usually tucked into a pocket or included in an envelope that comes with your receipt. This little white plastic LV circle tag with an attached tag? This was NEVER made by Louis Vuitton. If you see it attached, chances are it's a fake.
Louis Vuitton does not discount.
There is no such thing as a Louis Vuitton sale - EVER! They just don't do it! There are no end of year sales, no sample sales no sales at all, period.
Louis Vuitton does not DO wholesale.
The only places where you can buy authentic Louis Vuitton are in a Louis Vuitton outlet or from one of a limited number of high-end department stores that have mini boutiques inside (ie: Brown Thomas or Harrod's) that are under the exclusive control of LV. There is NO wholesale distribution of Louis Vuitton whatsoever.
Most dust bags just have the standard “LV” or “Louis Vuitton” logo. Also the dust bags are not made out of cheap material and most do not have rounded edges.
Difference between real and fake Louis Vuittons
Depending on the collection, Louis Vuitton uses a variety of textiles to line their bags: canvas lining in red or honey, fine micro monogram textile, cross-grain leather, tone on tone polyester, or microfiber suede. Fake manufacturer's pay little attention to the interior. Typically they line the interior with plastic or cheap tan or brown suede.
Louis Vuitton uses oxidizing natural cowhide leather that turns a dark golden honey color over time. Plastic is not used!
If the look of the bag is something that appears to not look like anything that Louis Vuitton has ever designed, chances are it's a fake. Louis Vuitton is well-known for their high quality luxury goods. Remember, just because it has “LV” logo doesn’t mean that it is.
Pay attention to detail. Louis Vuitton uses brass and gold metal hardware, not gold painted plastic. The zippers should also have the letters “LV” neatly imprinted. If you are given pictures from a seller, then go onto a trusted Louis Vuitton website and compare the styles. Minor details such as this could save you from buying a knockoff.
The LV on Louis Vuitton bags are always lined up. The pattern should never be tilted or not proportionate to the other side.
Here are some random pictures from dealers who claim that they are selling the real thing compared to an authentic Louis Vuitton.
Other minor flaws
Easy way to determine authenticity could be done visually. Make sure that the LV’s are lined up and the material is not tilted. Monograms should be clearly printed gold letters with brown lines though the LV’s, not cutout, solid colored, smudged, or have a greenish tint. The threading should look neat, thin and done with accuracy. If the LV’s are upright on both sides, it may be a fake. Many Louis Vuitton handbags have the logo’s upside down on the other side.
Date and Authenticity Codes |
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| Contrary to popular belief, Louis Vuitton handbags (excluding luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Rather, Louis Vuitton handbags have "date codes" stamped either on interior tags or directly on the interior linings. These date codes simply serve to identify the manufacturing location and date for a Louis Vuitton handbag, not to verify it's authenticity. With the exception of early handbags (early 1980s and older), date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other items made by the luxury brand (e.g. sunglasses). Most date codes are a combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicated the country in which the item was made while the numbers indicate the month/year of the production date. The format of the date codes are as follows:
Keep in mind that the fact that an item has a date code does not guarantee that it's authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code is just one many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton handbag. |
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