Whenever I see these little video guides- I just think to myself, why didn’t they get someone on there who knows what they are talking about. This is Molly Wood for CNet- Spotting Designer Knockoffs Online. “How To Tell Phonies From The Real McCoy!“  CBS’s put it on their morning show.  It was in response to the $61 million Louis Vuitton v eBay decision.  For example, here is the first hint on their website:

“… Louis Vuitton bags have five stitches across the top, the snaps all say Louis Vuitton, the color is specific. What should the zipper look like? Look for lots of clear, detailed photos with the listings. “     

(Which is partly true…. SOME Louis Vuitton bags have only five stitches across the top of the leather tab– the traditional monogram Speedys for example.  This is NOT true of all bags.  Some vintage bags do NOT have Louis Vuitton on the hardware.  Yes, look at the zipper and make sure it’s the right style for that bag.  And I agree, make sure there are good, detailed pictures.)

Hey, at least it isn’t as bad as my favorite worst video guide of all time.  Check it out if you haven’t.  It’s HILARIOUS!!! 

And, Molly… if you need a hand with one of those videos- give me a ring! You know I’d be happy to help you out.

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Sounds easy enough, but after my last post about the Monogram Manhattan PM picture issue, I got an email asking me to check out a Louis Vuitton Multicolore Manhattan PM.  “Is this authentic?”

It’s a simple rule.  If Louis Vuitton never made a particular style bag in a particular “skin”- then it is just not authentic.  For example, the Manhattan PM is a monogram line bag… only.  It has never been made in any other line.  So, if you see a damier, MC, epi, denim etc. Manhattan PM- it’s fake.

(Caveat- this rule doesn’t apply with special order items.  You can special order many styles in skins that are not available to the general public.  These bags are very expensive to have made- and you won’t find them for $79 - or even $379- on the internet.)

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Yipes.  Looks like another big bust.

This is Dana Lisi Klein.  She looks like a nice enough person.  How in the world did she get wrapped up in the ugly world of the counterfeit trade?

Detectives picked up $526,000 in fake Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Christian Dior, Prada and 16 other labels that Ms. Klein has allegedly been selling out of her “Dana Klein” store.

It’s actually an interesting story- how she got caught, how she got her stuff, etc.   PI’s coming in the store- buying fakes, getting them authenticated etc.

Remember people.  Fakes aren’t just tacky.  They hurt people.

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Police just nabbed $25 Million in fake Louis Vuitton bags, Nike Sneakers, and Duracell & Panasonic Batteries of all things (I’m not making this up). Wow. Read the story from the New York Times.

Looks like it was the warehouse runners who got arrested. It’s always the runners, the street vendors & people selling out of their garages who get busted. Where are the guys at top? Find them, and we might make some progress.

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Well, actually- it isn’t fun, and these aren’t games. Counterfeiting is illegal and as we all (should) know “counterfeit sales fund organized crime including drug cartels, child labor, and even terrorist organizations.”

Still… the purse parties go on and on. This Lake City, Ohio woman just got 3 years for her little purse party! (Those are her bags in evidence above).

Here’s another article with a picture of the 68 year old grandma…

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This is hilarious.  I don’t usually critique people’s guides- because the people who write them are usually just trying to help people out.

Expert Village, on the other hand is obviously just trying to make some money (and who isn’t) but how hard would it have been to get some real information (and maybe even a real expert) in the video.

My three favorite lines?  (There are more- this video is a classic!) 

1.  After explaining the registration card in a Prada bag, she says,

    “So if someone asks you, ‘hey, is this bag real or fake’ you can say, ‘oh, I watched this “how to” video, and yeah, it is real because I have my card!”

2.  After explaining that fake Coach bags have “circles” all over them (not “C’s”)… she shows a simple Coach leather wallet- that is not in the signature (monogram C) style, and says, 

    “For example, this bag is Coach, but it doesn’t say (sic), have the C’s all the way around it.  So most likely, a boutique (?) is not going to try to imitate this, because they want to try to sell the most fashionable thing.”

3.  In closing, after sharing those two tips (if it has a registration card, it’s real- and any bag that isn’t signature/monogram is real), she says:

    ”Pretty much, that’s how you tell a real bag from a fake.” 

****  Just in clarification:

1.  The paper work that comes with a bag (receipts, tags, registration cards, etc.) is often faked better than the fake bag itself.  I’ve seen receipts with watermarks, and other very close copies. Don’t rely on these items alone for authentication

2.  Counterfeiters don’t discriminate in what they fake.  The rip-off cosmetic bags, wallets, limited edition pieces in monogram, all leather, canvas- you name it. 

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I mean, what can he say to this one? The man on the right is Göran Olofsson. He grew up in the village of Linsell, Sweden where his father, Gösta ran the village gas station. Apparently, his dad was as much artist as businessman- and produced all types of touristy knick-knacks based on his own paintings- to sell from his shop! What a great story (you can read more about it HERE).

Apparently, he had about 1,000 of these scarves printed out sometime in the 1950’s. It bears the name of the village, “Linsell” on the top- and is full of images from the area- the charming little church and local symbols- (including the coat of arms, the two bears and pasque flowers) of the county (Härjedalen).

Anyway, so Göran somehow stumbles upon MJ’s scarf- and is obviously recognized it. I mean- it’s pretty much an exact replica- except that instead of the village name- the scarf says “Marc Jacobs Since 1984″. (Although, I like the border on the original much more). Wow. Very embarrassing- and pretty ironic, if you ask me! (Especially since Louis Vuitton had to apologize for a similar snaffu with the naked ladies just a couple months ago… I blogged about it HERE if you’re interested).

So, apparently Göran has written Marc for an explanation. I can’t wait to hear it!

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