How to authenticate a Louis Vuitton Alma

How to authenticate a Louis Vuitton Alma

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Here are my top tips for authenticating at home:



1) THE MONOGRAM

Photo attributable to Laarni B N'style

a) Here we are looking at a Louis Vuitton Alma bag with Vernis leather and the first place to look is quality of the imprint. It is almost impossible for the fake market to get this absolutely right and more often than not you will find that the fake Vernis leather bags have an LV print that is too deep. You can see in the image above that the fake Louis Vuitton bag on the right hand side has a deeper print.

b) After looking at the print in the leather - it is important to look carefully at the LV print itself. The Monogram should always be symmetric. The specific symbols should flow equally from start to finish in all areas of the handbag and should always flow from stitch line to stitch line in a balanced manner, starting and finishing with the same symbol.

Correct: LV + LV + LV → Begins and ends with the same symbol
Wrong: O + O + O + → Begins and ends with a different symbol
for example see below an example of an authentic Louis Vuitton Speedy.

how to authenticate a louis vuitton speedy
(ii) If the Louis Vuitton monogram starts with a partial symbol due to the stitch line separation of two distinct areas of the bag, then the specific sequence should end with the same remaining partial symbol being sliced by the stitch line at the same spot:

Correct: ) + O + O + ( → Begins and ends with half circle
Wrong: ) + O + O + O → Begins with half circle and ends with a full circle
(iii) A crucial point [] here is that Louis Vuitton will not partially cut their LV logo symbol, such that that the LV logo will always be 100% visible. Any stitch line slicing through a LV logo is an automatic red flag. However, partial secondary symbols are ok as long as they remain consistent with the (aforementioned) points.

If "|" represents a stitch line then: |LV or LV| would be considered correct.
If "|" represents a stitch line then: L|V or L| or |V [etc] would be incorrect.
For an example of a fake monogram print please see below.

Fake louis vuitton bag example

2) THE CLOCHETTE
The Clochette should again have a milder stamp of the Louis Vuitton logo than most fake bags manage to achieve. I used the image from BrandsBlogger to demonstrate this below. Often fake bags will have more stitches of a poorer quality. The key numbers should also match up to your padlock. fake louis vuitton clochette

3) THE LINING & STITCHING
For the Louis Vuitton Alma Vernis you can see that the colour of the lining matches the outside of the bag. Beyond this it is important to notice the quality of the stitching inside the bag as well as on the outside. For example in the video above I show you that there is a 0.5cm hem on the fabric of the pocket. The logo and stitching of all the internal plaques will also be perfect. The one thing I often think does look funny inside real bags is the printing of the date code. So don't be put off if you think the font looks a little "cheap".

The external stitching is faultless in fact I can spend some time just admiring it - on a slow day that is! Areas to note in particular are the number of stitches at the base of the handles. There should be five - as demonstrate in the image below,

How to authenticate a louis vuitton alma

4) THE HARDWARE
I feel like a bit of a broken record but again it all comes down to the quality of the imprint into the metal. Having seen a lot of bags now it is perhaps more of an experience thing but the authentic bags have a lighter logo embossing into the metal. Further to this "Louis Vuitton" is not emblazoned on every piece of hardware - only on particular places. On the Alma Vernis as in my video you can see that it is not on the hardware where the handles join the bag.

5) THE DATE CODE

[HunnRemona]

Love HIDUPZ , will be taking it to go to work. I love all the ability to organize everything w pockets some w zippers. My first bag had the liner rip. They replaced it faster than I could ship return. Thank you!

[LankSeratti]

Yes the color of the LYXBAGS is beautiful and it is a great decision, maybe one day they will add feet and straps. It would be nice to have a bigger bag during the colder months when we have to store gloves, beanies, scarves, etc…

[staceymartin]

Hello again my alma vernis rouge fauviste could really use a good cleaning any ideas to make it back pretty and shiny

[staceymartin]

I just purchased the louis vuitton vernis rouge fauviste and would love to get it authenticated

[Glitchnugget]

Hi Antonia, just want to ask if Chanel Velvet Mini Backpack still exist?hehe

[cassineexabdan]

What is called that leather black.Alma but the leather monogram black

[MommaBearsCorner]

thanks! i have 3 i have been trying to determine if real or not. This surely will help. Appreciate!

[ZaringMelhorn]

OMG! You need to absolutely keep it! Whether it's true or not, this is special to you. People create packages, packages do not create people. Rock it girl, salute H Q L U X Y !

[ElizabethRodriguez-pv]

Who cares what someone has or doesn’t have. It doesn’t make you any better than anybody else. Real or fake. It’s nobody’s business unless you’re paying their bills. I think some people are just butt hurt by the fact that they spent $5, 000 on a handbag and anyone can get *amzclothes* that looks identical for a few hundred bucks or less. Stop worrying about stuff that doesn’t matter.

[hdkwisjkdkk]

Real wealthy people dont need to proove their status by logos so they wouldnt care you think they carry a Mirbag or real.

[PinkhamPresley]

Great video! I agree with you, but I prefer the H Q L U X Y bag, it will give me more options.

[Niceshopx]

@ *LVGUCI* You are so well-informed about luxury accessories and bags. You've obviously done your due diligence and the comparison to the US is very informative...because of course, I live in New York. thank you very much.