This is a 101 treatment of (as seen on ebay →) real Christian Dior handbags
as well said merchandise that can be found at any other retail
luxury online venue (including brick and
mortar operations). This treatment should illustrate some
counterfeit detection methods that will help you avoid much of the phonyDior merchandise.Below is a fake Christian Dior handbag that has many of the features correct that we address within our guides. However, despite getting some important details correct, it still failed our inspection. With the help of a magnifying glass we found a tiny detail that raised some suspicion. On the (left) leather handle patch we noticed a severely flawed stitch line that was only really noticeable under slight magnification.
This is a primitive example of what the lines look like under magnification: An authentic Dior handbag would not have such sloppy work. This is a common trait, evidence of a rush job, that is seen universally on many fake items (such as counterfeit sunglasses).
Note: The handbag handles (pictured at top) are correctly wrapped in paper not plastic, and the Dior CD metal accent is correctly perfectly strait with no gaps. (For more info on O-ring gaps go here and here). All these details the fakers got correct, however, the tiny quality detail or mishap did not escape us. Often times the counterfeiters will have the details correct, in those cases it will take a solid inspection of the tiny quality details like stitch lines to uncover the truth. [For more info on methods we utilize to uncover some especially tiny details go here]
1. Label:
- On contemporary handbags the leather label should be finished around every edge with stitching.
- For Vintage bags (pre 1990-92) the leather label is stitched on top edge only.
- A common tell is the corners. The labels should have rounded bottom corners and squared off top corners.
- High quality stamp impressions should always be expected from Christian Dior. Any sloppy stamp, poorly embossed impression should raise a red flag. The embossed, (meaning you can feel the stamp) impressions on the label should be symmetric, and clearly stamped. There should also be a texture to the label, if you run your finger over it, you should be able to feel the ridges, it will not be a cheap superficial screen print.
- The front of the tag/label should be embossed with "Christian Dior" and "PARIS."
- The back of tag/label should be embossed with "Made in Italy" or "Made in Spain" and the serial number.
- The "made in Spain" stamp will be found on many of the mini saddle bags.
- Label Front: Embossed with "Christian Dior", "PARIS" then space and "MADE IN ITALY." However, the plain/grained Gaucho will have silver writing, instead of being embossed.
- Label back: [Serial number x=number, y-letter]
- Serial number sequence: xx-yy-xxxx example: [07-MA-0017]
Below is an image of an authentic Christian Dior Gaucho label:
[Note] The top stitch string differs in color from the stitching on the other three edges. The top stitch is black, the stitching edges are orange.
BeautifulBasics (ebay)
Below is an image of a fake Christian Dior label:
[Note] The fakers have correctly made the top stitch string different in color from the stitching on the other three edges. However, the logo itself is way off centered. The "Christian Dior" is shifted much too far to the right of the label. An authentic Dior logo would be centered perfectly within the label itself (as pictured above). [For more examples of counterfeit detection by means of symmetry go here, here and here]. Also, note that the logo does not look like it is embossed, or stamped into the label, it looks like a superficial print.
Dior Girly label: The Girly label should be white patent leather and framed with stitching.
- Label front: Embossed with "Christian Dior" and "PARIS."
- Label back: Embossed with "MADE IN ITALY"
- Serial number:[back] x=number y=letter
- [yy-y-xxxx] Example: BO F 2549
- Notice the thick stitch detail in the top corners.
BeautifulBasics (ebay)
Below is an image of a fake Girly label:
[Note] The single stitch running along the top of the label. Also, the font is incorrect. The letters following the "C" and "D" are too large. The top crest of the "C" in the fake label protrudes much higher than the peak of the "h". However, on the real label (above), the "C" and the "h" are roughly the same height. Also, the "D" in the fake Dior font is much more curved on the top and bottom than the authentic font pictured (above), which has a more flat horizontal top and bottom. [For more examples of counterfeit detection by means of font analysis go here]
BeautifulBasics (ebay)
Below is an image of a fake Dior label:
[Note] Notice in this label the stitches do frame the lablel, however, they are all the same color. The top stitch should vary from the other three framing stitch lines. Also, this is another example of a poor stamp impression. The logo looks to be cheaply screen printed, and not correctly embossed. The logo is also slighlty off center and crooked within the label.
2. Hardware: Concerning the metal piece connecting the side [C] and [D], the Christian diorlogo should be stamped, or etched into the piece. The logo should be clear and crisp and adhere to the standard Christian Dior font sizes. [For more info on hardware related counterfeit detection methods (unrelated to Dior) go here, here and here]. Also, there should be no screws visible anywhere within this specific Diormetal accent. Often times, lower quality fakes will implement screws into the piece. Screws anywhere should be an automatic red flag.
- On an authentic piece, the "C" does not move. The "D" does move back and forth. However, some fakes may have movement on both the "C" and the "D".
Below is an image of an authentic CD connecting piece:
Concerning the "D": The font should always be the correct Christian Dior font.
Below is an image of a real vs. fake Dior hanging "D":
[Note] The font on the fake Dior D (right), is incorrect. Also, on the fake "D", the CD engraved on the "D" is a lower quality, less clear impression. Furthermore, the metal the fake "D" is constructed of is not the aged metallic look that is signature Dior. The fake metal is a much more shiny, cheap looking metal (more on this below).
BeautifulBasics (ebay)
Snaps/buttons: Christian Dior hardware should be rustic, with a vintage/aged appearance. It should not be shiny, or cheap looking. There should not be writing on the snaps/buttons.
Below is an image of real Dior hardware snaps vs. fake snaps:
[Note] Notice the aged look of the hardware.
Below is an image of an authentic aged snap:
Below is an image of a fake non-aged snap:
R. Cochet coin: An authentic Dior Cochet coin should have an indentation that goes down the side of the face upon the cheek. The words "R. Cochet" should be tucked right above the suit jacket's collar edge. An authentic Dior Cochet coin should be highly detailed.
Below is an image of an authentic Dior Cochet coin:
[Note] Notice the fine detail in the wrinkles, the ears, cheeks etc. The cheek should always be shaded by the cheeckbone, there should be detail around all of the profile features, the nose, nostrils, the lips, chin, eyes, eyebrows. The ear will be very detailed, as well as the tie and the collar of the suit. All points should be finely detailed. The facial feature, or the expression, should also be inspected. The expression on an authentic Cochet coin is one of a restrained smirk. It is not an outright smile. It looks like the man is amused, but he has not been captured in a full smile.
Below is an image of a fake Dior Cochet coin:
[Note] Notice the lack of indentation on the cheek, and the overall lack of quality and details. The level of detail is nowhere near that of the real coin (above). Pick out any area on the fake and compare it to the authentic Cochet and you will see an obvious amount of lacking detail. And it is not only the detail that is a problem, the expression on the man in the fake coin is also wrong. In the fake coin, he looks to be engaged in full, open mouthed laughter. Much different from that of the restrained smirk of the man of the real Cochet coin.
BeautifulBasics (ebay)
1947 coin: The Dior 1947 coin should be highly detailed.
Below is an image of an authentic Dior 1947 coin:
Lining: Christian Dior has a very unique lining with some very specific characteristics.[For some more examples on lining (unrelated to Dior) go here].
- First, the letter “D” will always appear to be in a constant state of ascension. It will be seen traveling from the bottom left side towards the top right. [Inner pockets may not have this ascending D feature]. However, the interior pocket when zipped up may adhere to the “D” ascension.
Below is an image of real Dior lining: The picture is somewhat dark, but you can clearly see the "D" moving up and to the right.
3. Zipper/zipper pull: Christian Dior uses Lampo zippers on most of its bags (except Girly bags). Concerning the zipper pull, the top of the letter C upon a fake CD zip pull is deeply indented. (Only regular and double saddle bags should have a CD zip pull).
- Most Dior handbags have a Lampo zipper, but not Girly bags (more on this below).
- Mini, baudier and sports tote saddle bags have a leather zip pull.
[Note] Notice the indention on the fake CD between the "C" and the "D".
Girly zipper: On Girlyhandbags the backside of metal zipper should be engraved with [Christian Dior] and [PARIS]. Girly zipper backs should not have Lampo engraved on them.
Below is an image of an authentic Girly Zipper piece:
Girly lock: An authentic Girly lock should have an an automatic pop-open mechanism and requires no key. The lock should be completely covered in swarovski crystals around the [Dior] logo.
Below is an image of an authentic Girly lock:
[Note] If the lock comes with a key or does not have swarovski crystals then this is an automatic red flag.
4. Leather edging | Gaucho edging: Authentic Gaucho should have a round leather strip that runs inside the two pieces of leather.
Below is an image of a real Dior Gaucho leather edge vs. fake edge:
[Note] The authentic edge has a rustic appearance where the top and bottom leather pieces meet.
5. Dustbag: Dior dustbags should are usually white cotton with grey lettering [Christian Dior] and underneath [PARIS]. Newer non-girly style Dior handbags have either this dust bag or one with grey [DIOR] lettering. Any Black lettering or silk bags are fake.
Below is an image of a real vs. fake Dior dustbags:
6. Dior authenticity card | Gaucho cards: These should have a gray colored plastic [Authenticity Certificate Card] with black writing, not gold script. Any gold script on a Gauchocard should raise an automatic red flag.
Below is an image of a real vs. fake Dior authenticity card:
[Note] Notice the gold writing on the fake card (right).
Further Dior notes:
All style's of Dior bags come with three authenticity items:
- [I.] → [Authenticity Certificate Card] Grey colored plastic, backside in languages French, English and Chinese
- [II.] → [Authenticity Certificate Card → envelope]
- [III.] → [Maintenance Guide] Three sections in languages French, English and Chinese
Dior notes continued:
- Beware of misspelled words within the [Christian Dior Maintenance Guide]. This is a sure sign of a fake. Also a universal tell.
- Dior price tag is never attached with a black string, only white.
- The grey colored plastic [Authenticity Certificate Card] never wrapped in a layer of plastic.
- Two strips should run down the front and back of the Dior Boston handbag with the words [Dior] in white. The words Dior are printed on each strip twice and will never be covered up the first "Dior" logo is printed on the front strips. There is very little space between the patent leather handle trim. The [Dior] logo on the strips should not be covered up or cut off.
Source : http://spotfakehandbags.com
