Below are the most common materials Louis Vuitton makes its handbags from:. The most recognizable Louis Vuitton aesthetic, the LV monogram canvas, has been a classic for over years. This material was revolutionary for its time because of the treatment process and the resulting unmatched durability. Do not confuse it for leather: while the monogram canvas is incredibly luxurious to the touch, it should not have any leather grains. Monogram canvas is supposed to feel rigid and durable, not soft and supple.
Limited edition and now discontinued, the multicolor monogram was originally offered in It was a special collaboration between Louis Vuitton and artist Takashi Murakami, inspired by bright summer tropical colors. This is why the LV monogram on the bag is rainbow colored. It is easily one of Louis Vuitton's most eye-catching designs of all time. You can also find it in other colors like graphite. Many women choose to carry the Damier print bags because they make a more subtle statement than the logo-covered monogram, but the material itself is the same.
The Damier bags make for great everyday-carry bags, however it is important to note that the Damier Azur will show scuffs and scratches more easily due to its white overlay.
While Louis Vuitton monogram canvas is known to be near-indestructible, the vernis is much more fragile and susceptible to scratches and scuffs. Pictured: Monogram patent vernis Keepall Vernis allows for exciting colors, such as this example in Blue Lagoon. LV leather has a distinctive scent as well, and should never smell of any chemicals like many counterfeits often do. This material is relatively durable compared to leathers of other designers, but it will not stand up to the elements as well as the monogram canvas.
Pictured: Monogram Empreinte is a classy way to make a statement. You should be able to see and smell the luxury and quality exuded by this lovely material.
Another feature Louis Vuitton keeps consistent among all of its handbags is the stamping. Be sure to take a very close look at the font shape, spacing and the quality of the stamp itself, because this is one thing counterfeiters very often get wrong.
The first thing you should notice is the style of the letters. The stitching around the stamp should also be clean and consistent: loose threads, uneven stitches or an asymmetrical stamp are all red flags of a fake handbag.
If there is an obvious, noticeable gap between the L and O, this is a red flag. The L and O are very close together on authentic LV stamps. If it appears shifted too far from the center line between the V and U, this is likely a fake. Caution: Style of letters are an easy give away when it comes to counterfeiting. Pictured: Two examples of authentic Louis Vuitton interior stamping.
On the left is a vintage example, so some patina and wear on the stamped leather label is normal. Note the mustard yellow color of the stitching, as well as the slight angle of each stitch.
On the right you will see a modern example, but what stands out the most is that even on the vintage example, the stamped letters are just as clear and crisp as on the modern one - a testament to authentic Louis Vuitton stamp quality.
Use these pictures as a reference point: all authentic LV stamps, should look like this. Since the s Louis Vuitton began using a proprietary date code system to detail where and when its handbags were made. Chanel uses a sequence of numbers for date code, and this works as a serial number and can be used in the authentication process.
Hermes uses a letter within a shape to determine the year the bag was made. Louis Vuitton uses a combination of letters and numbers to determine the location and the precise time the bag was made - down to the week of the year! On most Louis Vuitton bags, you will find the two letter code either followed or preceded by four numbers. The exception to this general rule are specially made-to-order bags, which use code AAS, and some vintage Louis Vuitton handbags.
The four numbers are also very important, because they encode the date your handbag was made - Louis Vuitton gets it down to the exact week of any given year on newer bags and down to the month on older ones.
On Louis Vuitton handbags made from to present, the first and third numbers represent the week, while the second and fourth numbers represent the year the bag was made. This is the same for Louis Vuittons made in i. Low-quality Louis Vuitton counterfeits will also have the trim peeling off over a short amount of time. Each bag comes with a date code, which is basically a little leather tag where letters and numbers are embossed to note where and when the bag was made.
One thing is for sure: an authentic LV will always have a date code. Counterfeiters often get lazy when it comes to details. A good way to catch fake products is to know your history of Louis Vuitton dust bags and boxes. Dustbags before are made out of beige flannel with the LV logo on it and brown drawstrings. Some of the older bags may have blue drawstrings on them, and some have felt-like material that has jagged cut edges. This brown leather trunk case from Louis Vuitton features a round top handle, a push-lock fastening, an all-over logo print, gold-tone hardware, a hanging key fob, an internal mirror, internal drawers, two removable logo-print bags, and two detachable shoulder straps.
From to , the beige dust bag is made out of flannel or linen. A perfectly symmetrical and centered LV logo is printed in brown on it. A small white tag saying where the bag was made can be found inside. In , Louis Vuitton revamped their packaging. All their boxes are orange with navy blue text. The dust bags followed suit, turning into a cream color with navy blue writing.
This one takes some time to practice. Research the original retail price online before considering a purchase. This dark brown and beige leather tote from Louis Vuitton features a monogram pattern, gold-tone hardware, round top handles, an internal logo patch, a hanging luggage tag, a drawstring closure, and a removable lining.
Louis Vuitton also lists the retailers where their bags can be purchased. The brand also limits online resellers, so be careful of purchasing bags over the internet. One reason is the high manufacturing cost. The luxury brand produces its handbags in workshops located in France, Spain, and the United States, and does not outsource manufacturing to cheaper locations like India and China. In addition, the company spends billions of dollars every year on marketing.
According to Reuters , in Louis Vuitton spent 5. Instead of discounting, the company will burn or destroy unsold stock. In some countries, the company organizes secret sales for its employees. While burning handbags helps maintain the exclusivity of their goods and stops them from falling into the hands of illegal counterfeiters, environmentalists have criticized the company for this wasteful strategy. Some have claimed that pieces of leather will usually not cut off at the LV logo, but that is not necessarily true.
For smaller bags, the logos are cut off at the edge. One thing that you can check for, however, is if all the logos cut off at the same point. This means that the pattern is symmetrical. Again, this is not true. For models that use a single continuous leather piece such as the Keepall, one side will have inverted logos on it.
A great way to familiarize yourself is to study their photos online. Your Next Handbag. This is completely normal, especially if it has been stored in a hot, humid climate. But, the bag should never smell of plastic or chemicals! If it does, it was most likely crafted of synthetic materials and is definitely a knock-off. The people pictured are not associated with The Archive or The Vintage Bar, and do not endorse the products shown. And, remember, if the find feels too good to be true, it probably is!
The monogram symbols are not in the right order. Real Monogram. The seams do not match. The leather is light tan and its color is consistent throughout. Real Red Trim. The trim on the handles is bright red or peeling. The stitching is uneven and inconsistent. Real Stitching. Real Hardware. The hardware feels lightweight and cheap.
The country code does not match the heat stamp. Real Heat Stamp. Real Date Code. The date code is illogical. The bag comes with an official Louis Vuitton authenticity card. The bag smells like plastic or chemicals.
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