Anyone know anything about LV handbags? Need to know if this is real or fake.

[Mykittensmittens]

Before we go any further they are not my thing at all. I wouldn’t know a Louis Vuitton from a fake if I fell over it.

However, I am clearing the estate of a relative. The proceeds go to the beneficiary (a relative with dementia), I am merely selling the items to get as much back into the estate for her. Therefore nothing in it for me, but I want to get this right.

Provenence would be that relative didn’t/wouldn’t be the type to buy a fake - everything I’ve cleared has been genuine items usually with receipts or so on. It wouldn’t have been her style. She liked high quality things. After months of doing this I’m left with one handbag.

It feels like lovely quality. It’s substantial, heavy, the stitching is lovely. I don’t think it’s ever been used. But I’ve no idea how to tell if it’s real or where/how to sell it unless I do. Anyone got any experience/expertise/ideas?

Will go and take some photos now…

Let’s see the pics

There are probably guides online but I'm dying to see it!

The inside smells like suede. The outside feels somewhat plasticky but I wouldn’t know what a real one feels like!! There is a keyring on the bag which the finish on is really nice, ditto the zip, other metalwork, stitching etc. it had some packaging inside it, which I have also photographed.

Has it got a stamp and date code inside ? and do they match ?

The keyring and the leather tabs on the ends of the zip are ‘made in France’ which google tells me some LV items are/it correlates.

i’m sure there is some magic trick to knowing or somewhere I can take it (but I don’t live near any big cities/designer shopping spots)

@pompei8309 there is nothing inside - no label. But again google tells me that that number system was only after a certain point in time and this bag is an absolute minimum of 8 years old, could be much more!

It should have a little leather tab inside with a code printed on it

Looks real to me. There is a website that can verify your item. It may even be the LV website.

You need Purse Forum. Some of their members will authenticate via photos.

Looks genuine from what I can see but it’s been a long time since I used to work in Bond Street! (For Chanel, but we used to see and shop a lot of other designer stuff)!

Sorry just seen your comment, i think it’s prior to 1980 that didn’t have a code , and yours looks pretty new. Sorry , my opinion is that is not real , worth checking though if you find a luxury pawn or bag shop

@pompei8309 no tab, no label. Beautifully sewn red suede inside (even the stitching on the inside of the two internal pockets is absolutely immaculate). There is a leather tab with a gold half ring (to attach keys I assume) inside but no markings on it.

@Mumsnut oooh thanks- I’ll take some better photos in daylight and get on that forum.

If it's a fake, it looks like a bloody good one. The dust bag looks genuine too.

Yep, Purse Forum know everything there is to know about designer bags!

@pompei8309 it was in a box, in the back of her wardrobe, with dozens of other bags that had never been used. So although it looks new that’s potentially deceptive.

There are authentication services you can find where you send pics and they let you know, even issuing certificates of authenticity.

i think love luxury is one. Zeko is the Chanel expert worldwide. Maybe also authenticate 4u?

I also think it looks genuine, the dust bag definitely looks good , but get a professional to authenticate. Mine also gave me a valuation.

Pre 1982 won't have a stamp.
Check the stitching near handles and stuff, they would have the same number of stitches.
Also does it have a LV on the back?
If so and if it's upside down that's a good sign.

The key ring looks real to me. I have a genuine LV keyring very very similar.

This is all great advice, thank you.

I can’t see why she would have bought a fake. Financially she didn’t need to. She was a hoarder. Pre-being housebound she took shopping trips to London and filled suitcases with handbags. Most of which she never used. I’ve found 5 ‘the bridge’ bags, all with their original price tags still on, ranging £250-£500. Some Fossil ones. Lots of other brands like longchamp. She liked John Lewis and Selfridges. She had a mulberry but that was VERY well used. The buying of a fake somehow doesn’t fit the model.

@grayhairdontcare

Yes, the stitches on the handle bits are absolutely identical all round the bag. Exact counts and placements. The underneath of the bag has been cut so the exact middle square has the logo in it. The piping is faultless I can barely find the joining seam.

When you close the bag the zip feels really nice and the gap at either side of the zip is so perfectly aligned. I can’t post any more photos today unfortunately!

Good luck 🤞 it is a nice bag either way

@Mykittensmittens it sounds promising.
I would just pop into a LV or similar and get them to check it over.

I think it’s letting me add more! I will go down the avenues suggested, thank you.

What a stunning bag. No idea if it's real or fake though sorry.