Congratulations again,
Trixie Lim (quote #14) for winning the new pair of
REEBOKS!!
Wheee!! What an AMAZING contest that was! There were a little over 4,000 (4,093 to be exact) votes on this contest! And you probably know this by now that I’m not really a numbers person *I dislike numbers unless we’re talking about a potentially rewarding paycheck hahaha*, but when I went to check on my sitemeter counter last night, my jaw dropped!! (I tweeted the # out of shock hahaha… I was deliriously happy hahaha. Ok… in retrospect, I shouldn’t have done it because I realized I sounded like a braggart hahaha *oh-kaaaaay I am a braggart– but oye, only once in a while hahaha*). But now that I’m kinda over the shock, I will not mention anymore because *snicker*, reality will hit me back and the numbers will plateau and go back to “normal” again *and then crud, I won’t have anything to brag about anymore hahahaha* 😀
But one thing is for sure (aside from the no more public bragging hahaha), I promise I will do a bigger contest for you dear readers sometime this year– hopefully in June, my birthday month *and also the blog’s anniversary!* But oye, don’t go expecting a Hermes birkin ok? I will need serious sponsorship for that, and I simply don’t have one who is willing yet hahahaha 😀
Now, let’s talk about Louis Vuitton bags. Yes, back to regular blogging 🙂 BAG TALK TIME!!
Yesterday, I authenticated a Louis Vuitton Hampstead in Damier Azur Canvas which belonged to a nice lady from Cebu, and I had to do double triple takes on the bag’s authenticity. I’ve authenticated Louis Vuitton bags for almost 7 years now (based on my experience and knowledge about the brand– because no, LV does not and will not authenticate bags officially) and have had little trouble identifying what’s authentic and what’s counterfeit– even those quardruple A quality fakes, (which I find repugnant because a lot of unscrupulous resellers have passed a few of those off as real to unsuspecting victims!! Which is why I always say, do your research when buying from a reseller). To date, I am proud to say I have never been wrong with my prognoses.
But this Louis Vuitton Hampstead below really got me wondering.
It took me longer than usual to come up with a conclusion *which I will reveal in my next post, along with corresponding reasons why I came up with that conclusion :D*, but my conclusion was a result of research and investigation *haha like a bag gumshoe!* 🙂 So in this post, I’d like you peeps to tell me what YOU think! 🙂 I am showing photos to you in 2 batches in this same post. You’ll find out why, again in my next post.
So without further ado, I give you, detailed photos of the said Louis Vuitton bag. *By the way, some photos are taken under fluorescent light setting, others in auto setting*
The Louis Vuitton Inventeur front plate which is held together by 4 rivets
The interior’s “clasp” that “closes” the bag
The type of zipper used on the interior pocket of the bag
The almost- invisible (faded) datecode found on the inside pocket of the bag– datecode MI0038
One side’s snap- button (to keep the bag expandable/ slimmer)
The “D” ring on the other end of the interior of the bag which secures the clasp *see 2nd photo above* (which allows the bag to “close”).
The top view of the interior of the bag. The interior’s a little dirty (as shown by some photos above)
PAUSE. So, what do you peeps think of the bag after seeing those 7 photos?
And now, here’s the 2nd batch of photos for your viewing:
Interior “stamping” of the brand at the bottom of the zippered pocket.
One of the 4 leather patch corners of the bag. Yes, the leather is this shiny.
One of the straps of the bag.
Another leather strap of the bag which also shows the hardware.
So peeps, what do YOU think? 🙂 Authentic? or Counterfeit? And why? 🙂
Tomorrow, I will post my answer, and the corresponding explanations of my answer! 🙂
Have a very good Tuesday, you peeps!!! And oh, do mark your calendars for the upcoming ROCKWELL URBAN BAZAAR this March 12- 14 at the Rockwell Tent. More news on that soon!
x
Mrs. T
Fake? I’m not an expert or anything, but I find the stitching a bit off, or what my mom would call “kargason.”
I think it is FAKE Mrs T! Just by looking at the stitches of the bag. I have encountered the same thing with my original neverfull and my ofcmate’s fake neverfull..i could hardly tell the difference esp with the hardware that they used! And that’s the reason why I only own 1 LV bag now (doumo) and sold the rest and switched to Chanel.
Stitching is suspicious and the DATE CODE!?…cuz of the last 2 digit??
and just that last picture with the stiching ..Vuitton wont do that..and STAMPING is fishy..plus a hampsteads strap has buckles?? i cant see but it looks like it doesnt have a buckle?
im gonna play my game on the FAKE vote!
it looks very fake to me. i have 2 lv bag and the hardware does not tarnish like that, the letter should not that shiny, the older the bag a dark patina develop.
hi mrs T! love ur blog btw! so chica! im chui from ny. i think thats a fake, the leather strap should be adjustable… and the interior clasp looks different… whats the verdict?
hmmm. looks authentic to me… the darkening of the vachetta and the yellow threads. but then, i could be wrong. btw mrs t, sana you also posted an image of the ‘louis vuitton’ logo stamp on the exterior canvas. that would be a good giveaway too. the authentic stamp would have a slightly crooked and faint look to it. the fake ones i’ve seen are often more heavily stamped without that ‘faintness’.
hi friend!
i have this kind of bag.. which i seldom seldom use .. as in 4x pa lang ata since i got it .. hehehe.
anyways, in my opinion… all areas shown thru the pics would say – IT’S A FAKE!
thanks for sharing as always!
doc D
hmmm… then again, the vachetta leather does look a little too shiny.
FAKE!
*RG
faux. IMHO. Sana I’m wrong kasi kawawa naman the owner. Maybe its the date code, and the shiny leather at the corners of the bag.
Hi BagHag! OMG! I have exactly the same bag (color, model and size) and sad to say it looks like a fakey to me! Ive had mine for more than a year and my frustration was that the azur leather parts never got shiny even with applegard on it. It still looks the same even from the time i bought it, got a tad bit glossy but not GLOSSY.
Anna Bananna
my eyes are bleeding just by looking at the pictures because I have no idea how tell if the bag is fake or not. lol. I’m not an LV expert but I am excited about your post tomorrow. Excited to know how a bag expert (you!) examines the authenticity of a bag. 🙂
I think the shiny leather is a sign (and the hardware) that this bag is..
a good fake?
Counterfeit! the ZIPPER is the dead give away! STAMPING and the almost Invisible Datecode.. throw in the shinny leather & is peeling off in some area.
AnnCas
NYC
Mrs. T, it’s fake isn’t it? the stitches in the 2nd set of photo gave the clue.
hi! i think it’s a fake. i have this weird feeling on the clasp but i can’t put my finger on it.
Fake? Most of my deduction is from the last few pics you posted.
are those gum marks or adhesive marks on the handle? most likely a good counterfeit.
its the real mccoy.
@patricialoves: Send me a comment here and I wont publish it– but I’ll reply thru here though if ok? If not, email me at baghagdiaries@gmail.com :)might take longer to reply though. Im still going thru emails of the peeps who joined the contest coz I want to reply to them 😀
i think its not a very good fake just a standard china made fake