This guide should help decipher the fake from the
by offering some
specific points, as well as some universal problems to look for. Valentino [1] Valentino [2] Valentino [3]
The real Valentino label (left) is a good illustration of the type of
symmetry you should expect to see from an authentic Valentino handbag. The metal
plate is centered within the leather backing, and the parallel stitch lines
are even on all four sides from the each other and the edge of the leather. This is
important. All geometric shapes must be even and symmetric in relation to each other. The metal plate
should be even with the leather edge, the outer stitch line, the inner stitch line, regardless
of where the measurement is taken.
The fake Valentino label on the left is a good illustration of an asymmetric logo plate.
Here you can see that there are a number of places where the label is uneven in relationship to the leather edge
and the stitch lines, as well as the stitch lines in relation to the leather’s edge. This is an
automatic red flag. Naturally this is an obvious example. At times the asymmetry will be much
more subtle, but nonetheless detectable.
1. This (circle) highlights the stitch lines themselves. Here you can see that the
stitch lines are unevenly spaced from each other, and uneven in length in relation to the other
stitch lines. Sloppy stitch lines are always a universal red flag.
2. This (circle) illustrates the spot where the fake metal Valentino plate actually
overlaps the stitch line in the bottom right corner.
3. These lines illustrate the asymmetry of the metal Valentino plate in
relation to the leather backing.
Also notice (above) the stitch count comparison concerning the uppermost stitch on both Valentino (real and
fake) leather backing patches. The Authentic Valentino (top pink) has 18 full top stitches across. However,
the fake (gray above) has 15 top stitches. The stitches per inch is an important universal tell.
[More info on stitches per inch and how it applies to all designer merchandise
here.]
This stitch count is found to be consistent on many authentic Valentino bags. [As seen (left)].
Note: This is not to say that all authentic Valentino bags have 18 as a top stitch count
across the leather backing, just that this
appears to be common within this specific style. [Also interesting is that the curved [19th] corner stitch is located in
the top right corner in both cases]. These stitch counts are simply another detail to be
aware of, and to use to build a case for or a against a bags authenticity. A smaller stitch count
should always raise a red flag.Many authentic Valentino models have 15
top and bottom framing stitches on the leather backings of metal logo plates that are fastened
to the handbag. So this may be a reasonable rule of thumb:
Leather backing top stitching frames may be [15] or/to [18] stitches long.
Also, stiches can vary on the red interior Valentino labels as well.
But generally not by many. The Spi filter
is a good formula to use to see what a reasonable cut off point would be between real and fake stitch per inch counts.
Below are some Valentino leather examples
The image (left) is authentic Valentino [calf] leather. This should help illustrate the
textural differences between real and fake quality. Notice the how the tiny creases are clustered
consistent with the texture of animal hide. The tiny creases are themselves nested within
larger folds and wrinkles in the overall leather. This gives the impression even via photo that the
leather is extremely soft to the touch.
The fake Valentino leather image (left) illustrates the textural difference between the authentic
Valentino (above). The fake Valentino leather (or lower quality leather) will generally have less
detail that you would normally expect from natural hide. It will feel more stiff in comparison.
And you do not need to necessarily feel the bag to determine stiffness. This can be inferred
from images, like the one on the left. Here you can see when compared to the authentic bag (above)
the gray leather is not folded over or wrinkled, instead it appears to be perfectly flat and
stiff. However, the creases in the natural, high quality leather (purple above)
are smaller and more numerous with many folds and wrinkles in the overall bag.
A fake you should expect to see larger creases, less frequent, and in a pattern that
appears artificial and stiff.
live[ebay]
Valentino Bags New Valentino bags Pre-Owned Valentino
