SIU Today Summer 2021 - 10

Knowing that Coach and Louis Vuitton are often
counterfeited, are there brand specific features that
could help determine authenticity?
COACH
1. The classic CC logo is a good indicator if your handbag is
real or not. The CCs on a Coach handbag should face each
other and touch. If there is CC pattern on the outside of the
bag the interior lining should not have any sort of pattern
unless it is part of the summer 2012 collection.
2. The stitching and construction on all Coach purses should
be immaculate. Each stitch should be exactly the same size
with no overlapping stiches and each seam should be a
straight line.
3. The serial number is an extremely important aspect when
determining the authenticity of a Coach bag. The serial
number can be located on the inside of the bag.
4. The zipper is always stamped with a YKK stamp. The zipper
will never snap and get caught in the material. The zipper
will always be durable and of great quality.
COACH PRODUCTION CODE GUIDE
Can you read every word? Check
for misspellings
Check month made (after the letters NO)
COACH TAGS
(A-M; the letter I is never used. A=Jan, B=Feb)
Check the year, which are the first two
numbers after letter - 14=2014
Check to see where it was made (after - )
F= Factory Outlet
Louis Vuitton Counterfeit
The hardware is always durable and the small clasps or other
hardware are always brass plated. It can turn green over time on
the edges because authentic brass oxidizes with the air over time.
Replicas are usually gold plated. The majority of bags made after
the early 1980's have a production code stamped on the bag. Look
in the right place. The date code is located beneath the D-ring.
How would an investigator or adjuster determine
authenticity if only a photo of the item is available?
This is certainly a more difficult task without seeing the bag
itself. With that said, there are a few key indicators to determine
authenticity. Request a close-up picture of the stitching, hardware
and some of those key indicators depending on the designer of
the handbag.
How would it be different if the item were available for
inspection in determining authenticity?
If there is an opportunity to inspect the bag this is the best-case
scenario. You can visually confirm the quality of the bag. You can
also inspect the stitching and hardware.
10 SIU TODAY | SUMMER 2021
Louis Vuitton Real and Code
LOUIS VUITTON
1. The stitching will be perfect and tight. On the handles the
stitching will always have 5 stiches across and the stitching
will always be a mustard color not a bright yellow color.
2. Louis Vuitton bags will have a proportionate pattern across
the bag. The pattern will be a mirror image at the start of the
bag on the left across to the right or diagonally. Look for the
zippers with the 'LV' logo imprinted on the pull.
3. Not all authentic bags have upside down LV's, but most
do, especially if the design was made with one continuous,
seamless piece of leather that wraps all around the bag.
SIU Today Summer 2021

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