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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It’s interesting because Hilary Duff and Sara Jessica Parker have totally different styles, are different ages, and wear their Louis Vuitton limelight way differently. I mean, it hardly looks like the same bag.

Hilary wears her copper Limelight like a clutch- but folded over and polished.

But, if you didn’t know what you were looking at- you could mistake SJP’s bag for a crumpled up sack.

I like the softness of this light, quilt-y bag- but I personally wouldn’t wear it like that. It’s interesting, because I have several pictures of Sara Jessica Parker with her Limelight- and she wears it in a similar way in all my pics. I mean, it looks like you can not only see all her stuff- but that, it’s gonna tip over and we’re going to see the contents pictured in next weeks US Weekly.

I’m going with Hilary on this one.  I think she looks put together, but also fun, fresh and interesting.  What do you think?

If you’re loving her look- be sure to check out the authentic pre-owned copper Louis Vuitton Limelight that we have listed on eBay right now! It’s a great price for a great piece… take a look!

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(Louis Vuitton Watercolor Aquarelle Frame)

You knew it wouldn’t take long. While just technically launched yesterday, they’re already up on eBay!

And, while I love to promote our own bags (we have a ton of amazing pieces on eBay and on our fashionphile.com website right now- including our own Richard Prince for Louis Vuitton Heartbreak Joke bag), ya gotta hand it to eBoutique! She’s got some killer stuff. Loving seeing the new Richard Prince watercolor bags up.

She’s got the Louis Vuitton Watercolor Aquarelle Frame Speedy pictured above, the Watercolor Aquarelle Papillon, and the Watercolor Jamais. Take a look.

Very cool, indeed.

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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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Must have been an LV!

I know it’s not a good idea, but I definitely have a few favorite bags- that, placed in the same circumstances, I’d probably hold on just as tight!  

Amazing footage.  The woman kept her bag- and although was probably totally freaked out, came out relatively unscathed.  

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Well… I thought it would be fun to pit sisters against sisters.  So what do you think?  Who’s wearing the Louis Vuitton Cerises Speedy 25 Better?  The Hilton’s or the Simpsons?

I have a hard time calling it for the Hilton sisters- because poor Jessica is clearly just out picking up some milk at Ralphs.  And, I think we can all agree that the black hair phase was never a good one for Ashley.

I’m going to have to go with Nikky Hilton here.  She’s looking so good it doesn’t matter that Paris is wearing Dr. Pepper sweats.

If you’re loving her look- you can have it too!  As you know that Cerises line was a limited edition.  You can’t get it at the boutique or on eLuxury.  But we have an authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton Cerises Speedy 25 on eBay right now.  Check it out!

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You’ve probably seen Louis Vuitton’s Trompe L’oeil line before (that’s Chloë Sevigny above wearing the LV Trompe Trocadero). But did you know where it got it’s name?

Some of you know that Ben (my bro-in-law and partner here) speaks fluent French. He lived in Paris for a couple of years, and this comes in really handy around the office! Apparently Trompe L’oeil in French means- a trick of the eye.

This is actually an age old technique where realistic imagery creates the optical illusion that a two dimensional piece of art or architecture contains 3D elements that do not really exist.

For example: We went skiing in Garmish, Germany and there were MANY houses that were quite plain- but they had elements painted on them that made the architecture look more interesting than it was:

(these were just square windows- no borders or treatments at all… but with trompe l’oeil)

Take a look at this fabulous example from Andrea Pozzo… a late 1600’s painter. Here is the ceiling that he painted for the Jesuit Church in Vienna:

(The illusory effect of Trompe L’oeil makes this only slightly coved ceiling appear totally domed!)

This technique is just brilliant and so fun to see! Louis Vuitton uses these elements in the Trompe line… they have details that make the bags look like they have features that are purely design.

Why not own your own bit of Trompe L’oeil art?

We here at FASHIONPHILE have a fabulous little authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton Trompe L’oeil Pochette listed right now on eBay! It’s discontinued… and was a limited edition piece, so you can’t find it in the boutique anymore! Come take a look!

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OK, Ashley must really love her Louis Vuitton Multipli-cité, because quite frankly… she’s all over the blogs, and while she’s got a ton of LV, she seems to be favoring this little wardrobe staple over other really great pieces. In fact recently… I hardly seen her carrying anything else.

And have you noticed? Take a look at the pics- it’s like she’s doing all she can to make sure we get a good picture- not of her… but of the bag! Don’t get me wrong. The Multipli-cité is a fantastic bag! It’s big, roomy and let’s face it, I can use all the pockets I can get!!! But it just seems that her bags are almost “product placement”. I mean, I’m not saying that LVMH is paying Ash to wear their bags, but maybe she wants it to look that way?

Anyway, if you’re buying what she’s selling… (and I am- I mean, she looks dang cute in that first picture- and the whole Disney High School Musical cast bugs me)… then we can help you wear what she’s wearing, for less than the Boutique or Eluxury $1400 sticker price.

We have a gorgie, authentic, pre-owned Louis Vuitton Multipli-cite listed on eBay right now, that will sell for hundreds less than retail! So, go ahead… check it out! And remember, free shipping on any item that I blog about if you read about it here!!!

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Well, when I read the headline I felt bad that someone would “lase” (basically use a laser to destroy) a perfectly good Louis Vuitton Speedy 30.Upon further inspection, I realized that this was probably for the best- as it looks like Joe Lee picked up this “Louie” in China Town when he was buying the Fireworks!Take a look for yourself:

Compare the monogram placement to an authentic Monogram Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 from our FASHIONPHILE Photophile:

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What’cha think?

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