Τhis entry level tutorial will detail the basics on
that will help weed out the phonies. This guide will focus on the monogram pattern, which is
the initial detail that an authenticator will encounter when analyzing the handbag (or wallet etc).
This detail is available for scrutiny even at reasonably large distances, in person or in an image.
Meaning that you can pick up certain details that would disqualify the item as
an authentic piece from nearly across the room. The specific details that can be spotted
easily concern the monogram pattern,
namely its symmetry.
I. Louis Vuitton does not discount. II. Louis Vuitton does not have outlets, or seconds or irregulars. III. Louis Vuitton does not wholesale.
Note:
Another common misconception of Louis Vuitton is that it is only manufactured in France. This
is incorrect. Louis Vuitton has manufactured items in several places, such as the USA, Spain,
Germany, Italy etc. [For more info on country of origin go
here.]
Authentic Louis Vuitton heat stamp, "made in the USA":
1. Monogram pattern: The Monogram pattern on a Louis Vuitton should not have irregular
properties. The pattern should always be symmetric. The specific symbols that populate
the LV_Worldfamous
monogram pattern should flow equally from start to finish in all
areas of the handbag.
(i) Such that the monogram pattern should always flow from stitch line to stitch line
in a balanced manner, starting and finishing with the same symbol.
Correct: LV + LV + LV → Begins and ends with the same symbol
Wrong: O + O + O + → Begins and ends with the same a different symbol
(ii) If the LVmonogram starts with a partial symbol due to the stitch line separation of
two distinct areas of the bag, then the specific sequence should end with the same
remaining partial symbol being sliced by the stitch line at the same spot:
Correct: ) + O + O + ( → Begins and ends with half circle
Wrong: ) + O + O + O → Begins with half circle and ends with a full circle
(iii) A crucial point [] here is that Louis Vuitton
will not partially cut their LV
logo symbol, such that that the LV logo will always be 100% visible. Any stitch line slicing through a
LV logo is an automatic red flag. However, partial secondary symbols are ok as long as
they remain consistent with the (aforementioned) points.
If "|" represents a stitch line then: |LV or LV| would be considered correct.
If "|" represents a stitch line then: L|V or L| or |V [etc] would be incorrect.
Below is an image of an authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy:
Note: There are some vintage items
that may have an irregular monogram pattern, but generally all contemporary Louis Vuitton pieces
will maintain symmetry such as (but not limited too [multi-color pieces,
Mini-Mono pieces, Vernis pieces, traditional pieces,
etc]). Always take note of the monogram pattern (with respect to the pattern's relationship
to the stitch lines, zipper lines, handles, quatrefoil areas etc). In the example below, you can
clearly see that the monogram pattern is symmetric in relation to the non-pattern handbag properties.
Note: The sequence order for every row of the monogram pattern
begins and ends with the same symbol, as described (above in 1i).
And the rows that starts with a partial symbol, end with the same sized partial symbol, as
described (above in 1ii). Starting from
the top left corner of the handbag (left), you can count down five symbols that start the sequence.
They are all partial symbols, and if you follow any one of the rows from the starting partial symbol on the left
and move right, you will end up at the far right side of the handbag, at the end of the sequence, where the same partial symbol
that started the sequence will be ending it. Also notice that none of the LV logo symbols are
partial symbols, as described (above in 1iii).
Image of a counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag:
Note: Notice the irregular
L.V.monogram pattern under the stitch lines. However, this is an extreme
example. Generally the asymmetric monogram pattern will not
be quite this obvious. We used this example to easily highlight the details,
as you will find that often times
the L.V.monogram pattern irregularity is slightly more subtle and will require
a higher degree of scrutiny to identify.
Note: The sequences in many of the rows of the fake bag (left) start and end within the
stitch lines with different shapes. Compared to the example (above) that shows every row
starting with the same symbol/shape as it ends with.
Note: Authentic Louis Vuitton will
have upside down LV logo patterns on the backside of models that use one continuous
piece of leather that wrapping from front to back without a seam on the bottom.
Monogram color: This is a subtle tell but many times fake Louis Vuitton bags have
the monogram color slightly off. This is especially true with the multi-color monogram
patterns.
Below is an image of a real vs. fake Louis Vuitton:
Note: Notice the slight difference in the conflicting monogram colors. The fake is off
a shade. This is a detail that can be easily overlooked when you are inspecting an item for
monogram pattern symmetry, whereas the tone (or shade)
of the actual symbols in the pattern goes unnoticed. So always be aware of the
monogram symbol's hue.
Real: The monogram (pattern) color (below) is not the same as the phony (second below).
Fake: Notice the monogram color (below) has an orange-ish tint to it:
Note: Another detail with the fake
(above) is the inconsistency of the texture of the material when compared with the authentic
(further above). On the left side of the fake, the texture looks worn down, and in the center on the
piece it looks much more granular. This is evidence of cheaper materials. If you take a look at the
authentic piece (pictured above the fake), you can see that the texture of the material is
consistent across the entire surface. And not only consistent, but the granularity of the texture is
more fine than that of the fake. This is evidence of a higher quality material.
This texture detail brings us to our next point...
2. Leather: Louis Vuitton uses oxidizing natural cowhide leather that turns
a dark golden honey color over time.
Note: Notice the the shiny cheapness of the leather's appearance, along with the tag that is
hanging (incorrect). Also notice the monogram pattern at the bottom of the bag. The symbols are not
even with the edge of the leather section. At the very bottom left of the image, you can
see three [ + + + ] cross symbols. The far left symbol is fully exposed but the third symbol to
the right is partially covered by the edge of the leather. This is an example of a poor quality
(asymmetric - counterfeit) bag.
Below is an image of fake Louis Vuitton leather:
3. Stitching: Louis Vuitton is meticulous with every stitch. This is a detail that is
common among all high end designer merchandise. [Often times, with simply a little information about
the stitch lines (as taken from images) you can decipher a fake with little or no knowledge of the
brand specific details. This is why many of our guides stress the importance of
scrutinizing the item's stitch lines.]
Below is an image of an authentic Speedy handle with five top stitches :
Note: Speedy bags will usually have the same five stitches across the top of the handle.
Beware: Vintage Louis Vuitton pieces follow these same rules the majority of the time, but not always.
ebayBelow is an image of authentic Louis Vuitton's meticulous stitch lines: Notice how
the stitch line remains an equal distance from the edge of the handbag at every point, and
for it's entire length. Also, the individual stitches are the same length, such that there
are no irregular length stitches as in: [ __ _ ___ _ _ ]. Any stitch length irregularity like this
would indicate poor quality manufacturing and would be an instant red flag. Rather, we should
expect Louis Vuitton stitch lengths to remain consistent, as in [ __ __ __ __ __ ].
Note: Notice the places where the stitching is coming undone, the sloppy sequential stitches
and irregular size stitches. Also note the philips head (+) screws utilized in this handbag. In most
cases, we should expect to see a flat head (-) screw used in hardware mechanisms. (This may vary,
and we cannot say this is a universal detail to hold in all cases, therefore this is
just a note so that you keep this detail in mind).