The 'Authentication' Thread

[Meg]

yeah I'm not sure who would fake Ann Dem. It's possible, especially because you say these aren't the cool boots, that someone who owns a shop has a surplus of them or someone bought them whole sale and is now trying to resell.

Is it common for people to fake manolo's?

 

[AlexN]

I would guess that Manolos are faked all the time. But I'm no expert in Manolos.

 

[xcoldricex]

nice, i need to get myself some of those ann dem chains

 

[TheSoCalledPrep]

I have never seen Manolo knockoffs, at least with the actual name, surprisingly.

 

[BrothaG]

I have never seen Manolo knockoffs, at least with the actual name, surprisingly.

Me neither, fortunately. I wonder why though.. Perhaps there's not enough stores that carry them so the fakers don't have enough copy-opportunity?

 

[renferme]

Yay...finally found a thread to post this in after searching for a bit.

Anyway...

Are these Manolo Blahnik heels real?
I really want some pretty white heels to go with some of the clothes I just bought.

Thanks.

Yes they are. I remember them from a few seasons ago.

I'm in the shoe trade and I'd just like to say that shoes are never usually copied by counterfeiters because the tooling up costs (lasts, heel moulds, press knives, outsole moulds) are really high and the profit margin is small compared to, say bags. Also the shipping costs (shoes take up alot of space and are expensive to ship) Its too risky. The copyists want easy money with little risk. That's why they stick to bags and other small accessories. One of the brands I work for is very widely copied, but we are yet to see any counterfeit shoes.

Designer shoes are incredibly difficult to copy and get looking right and believe it or not, Manolo is still not the most obvious brand name for a counterfeiter. I don't think a counterfeiter is going to invest $30,000 plus developing a shoe that might not sell. He doesn't plaster his shoes all over the outside with Manolo logo's either - counterfeiters like obvious branding as do the people who buy fakes (its all about obvious status symbols )

The only fakes I've seen in shoes are sneakers (because the countries that make sneakers are the countries that counterfeit so its easy for them to make copies) and certain Gucci, Prada, Burberry and LV styles - the heavily branded basics. NEVER catwalk shoes - again, because its too risky.

Never have I seen the copyists bother with leftfield labels with no branding - its too risky for them and the market is very small. I think the people who like Margiela and Demeulemeester would never buy fakes, they'd want the real thing.

The Anne Demeulemeester shoes could have been deadstock from a retailer - I've quite a few friends who use eBay to clear deadstock, it does happen from time-to-time. Send them an email and ask if you are puzzled.

 

[mouko]

is the general rule that LV never cuts off their "LV" logo on their monograms always true? This picture is really hard to see, but I was debating with another guy about designer bags and my understanding is that its always true and he said I was wrong. Here's a pic of him holding a bag and i noticed the top has LV cut offs.

So are there any real LV bags with LVs cut off? or is his basically a fake?

 

[Amara]

Thank you, Lady Muck!!! That was very very helpful.

The seller has excellent feedback as well so I bid on them...now I just have to wait.

 

[Kimkhuu]

is the general rule that LV never cuts off their "LV" logo on their monograms always true? This picture is really hard to see, but I was debating with another guy about designer bags and my understanding is that its always true and he said I was wrong. Here's a pic of him holding a bag and i noticed the top has LV cut offs.

So are there any real LV bags with LVs cut off? or is his basically a fake?

On most models, the LV are not cut off, though it depends. You need to post a picture of the Louis Vuitton bag, some straps cover up the LV, and other LVs get cut off because the bag is "round".

 

[.francesca]

my favorite name for fake LV stuff is "lois uniton"

 

[Amara]

my favorite name for fake LV stuff is "lois uniton"

Maybe she is related to the person who made the authentic Kade Spade bag I saw on ebay the other day.

 

[Misako]

good to know that most shoes are not faked...as that's mostly what I'll be getting!

so in general, what about clothing, from say, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, etc? I don't think they'd be counterfeited too often, right? I can imagine Balenciaga bags (I imagine that most counterfeiter's revenue comes from handbags, anyway), but not so much the house's clothing...anyone want to allay any fears of mine for those sorts of things before I start searching and bidding?

 

[.francesca]

Maybe she is related to the person who made the authentic Kade Spade bag I saw on ebay the other day.

haha i think she's actually pradu's cousin!

 

[renferme]

good to know that most shoes are not faked...as that's mostly what I'll be getting!

so in general, what about clothing, from say, Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler, etc? I don't think they'd be counterfeited too often, right? I can imagine Balenciaga bags (I imagine that most counterfeiter's revenue comes from handbags, anyway), but not so much the house's clothing...anyone want to allay any fears of mine for those sorts of things before I start searching and bidding?

There's loads of fake Balenciaga bags - Balenciaga seems to be an exception to the rule here - but if we add to the rule 'many celebs seen carrying the bag therefore high demand', you can see why there are copies. It looks like an easy bag to copy and is very commercial - theres nothing leftfield about it, unlike Balenciaga shoes (which I , by the way ).

Just to add: another reason we don't see copies of Choo's or Manolo's is possibly because they are too trendy? Just a thought - they don't really do a basic style with heavy branding like Prada, LV and Gucci do - their collections change a lot every with new toe shapes, heel shapes and heel heights. Its very expensive to keep investing in new tools and that is reflected in the high price you pay for the real mcoy.

 

[jenimmacto]

just asked about this in another thread, but i want to be absolutely sure before i purchase, so are these real or fake? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63889&item=5355793890&tc=photo

ps, i feel very comforted by the shoe thing, but these were a popular style . . .i think

 

[renferme]

They ''should' be
real - they are very high fashion shoes and quite extreme to some, so I'd be very very surprised that anyone might counterfeit them. Perhpas if they had Dior plastered all over them, they might be fake, but these are real.

For your own peace of mind, ask for close up photos of the sock and sole, so you can see the logos.

The photo is out of focus and you can't see the logo's. Make sure you are not buying a 'copy' from another brand (as opposed to a counterfeit).

 

[stilista]

^^^ I'm sure I've bought a Chanel accessory or something from RJC, I don't think they deal in fakes...this shoe was heavily copied by cheaper brands, but don't think it was faked. I'm surprised theseller doesn't show a proper pic, and one of the packaging too as this always helps to alleviate worry!

As Lady Muck said, it's costly to fake shoes - they tend to produce fakes of the wooden mule/thong type shoe covered in logo fabric.

Also, Jen, do you know your size in this shoe- have you tried it on in-store? I think they run a little large - I usually take a 37 in Dior shoes, but would have needed a 36 in this style.

Good luck and hope you win them!

 

[star]

Is this authentic? LV change purse

Hi all, just wanted to get your opinions on this item.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6738045572

Do you all think this is real or fake? This seller has a lot the go, and she says her boyfriends mother used to carry them in her store, but she is passed. She gets good feedback, so she isnt sure herself of the authenticity.

What do you all think?
Thanks!!!

-Tara

 

[xcoldricex]

how about these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10294&item=4962087400&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[stilista]

I have mentioned this seller in another thread. Westwood have confirmed they are "very good fakes" but fakes all the same. There are slight differences in the jewellery when you compare it to the real thing...other items sold by him such as the t-shirts are very obvious fakes (wrong back neck labels, printed sections of design where there should be embroidery etc.)

The cufflinks will only cost $30 or so more from an actual Westwood dealer (if you have one nearby) so I would save your cash and guarantee you are buying the real thing...after all...pieces from Westwood never depreciate in value, it only increases the longer you have it, but if you have a fake it will never be worth anything if you try to pass it on in the future. .

I think a lot of people are fooled by this seller and I think by starting his auctions high it gives people a false sense of security.

I have bought from Westwood's online retailer - www.hervia.com and ifyou sign up for emails you are notified ofs ales and special promos. Plus everything always comes in packaging and carrier bags,so it's ideal for a gift.