Authentication Page 2

There are SO MANY different leather collections, and of course that means there are SO many fakes. For more information on authentic leather collections Click Here! But for now, these are some features you WON'T (or will rarely) find on an authentic Kate Spade leather bag:

A traditional fabric label: There is only ONE authentic Kate Spade leather collection that has a fabric label. It's the patent leather collection from 1995, and it has the older label version that is about 1.5x the size of the current one. There is no boarskin, smooth leather, glazed leather, matte leather, caramel leather, vachetta leather, or any other leather bag with a fabric label.

This bag is a good example of what I'm talking about. It's a smooth leather bag, but instead of having an embossed or stamped logo, it has the fabric label you find on the fabric bags. Also, note the placement of the label - there are very few authentic bags with the label smack in the center.
Here's another one. Also note weird "V" shaped leather piecing, which does not occur on any authentic collection:

Is it just me, or does the above bag resemble the interior of a 1977 Buick?

More:

Of course, the WRONG letter shape is always another clue of authenticity:

Backpacks: Again, this patent leather collection from 1995 is the exception. Otherwise, the general rule is that there are no authentic leather backpacks.

This is a good example of a fake leather backpack. Not only is there no smooth, matte leather collection that includes a backpack. Also, it has odd metal hardware and a top handle - features that you won't see on real KS backpacks.

Patchwork or Colorblock:

There's ONE leather collection (Thompson Street) where the larger bags are sectioned off so that there are two small front pockets. Example:

There's also ONE leather collection (Mondrian) which has color blocks. Example:

Well, the fake "designers" whoever they are went nuts with this. Now you see all these bags with blocks or sections; sometimes multicolor. There are NO authentic leather bags that just have stitching across the front (like the picture of the leather bag with the fabric label above) and no authentic patchwork leather bags. This is easier to explain in pictures than words, so here goes:

Logo Placement: Always be mindful of logo placement. This bag is a copy of the authentic vachetta leather Sam, but look where the logo is - right in the middle of the bag:

Another example of the logo being stamped too low (also, what's up with the curvy strap attachments?)

Wacky leather bags that look more like Dior: Kate Spade has never done anything that looks like it would go well with a motorcycle jacket. This looks more like a Dior knockoff to me, with a Kate Spade label slapped on:

Marc Jacobs-esque satchels - You've already seen this picture, but I just wanted to reiterate that if your bag looks like a Marc Jacobs Venetia with a Kate Spade label slapped on, it's a fake.

This one was possibly the all-time worst. The seller of this bag included a receipt from Nordstrom in order to assure the buyer it was authentic. I don't know what the receipt said, but it was probably for a nylon Sam or something. This bag is as fake as they come, with a toile print Kate Spade has never used; solid black handles that are typical of fake printed bags, and gingham lining.

This fake backpack has a price tag on it - who knows what store.

If something is sold as "New with Tags" be sure to ASK WHAT STORE! If it's not the Kate Spade price tag, make sure it's some other authorized KS retailer. As an aside, there are lots of authorized Kate Spade retailers that are small boutiques; it doesn't have to be from a large department store such as Neiman Marcus. Where I live, we have a store called Gus Meyer that is an authorized retailer but is a small 2 store boutique chain. The Kate Spade website allows you to search for authorized Kate Spade retailers.

This fake wallet (sold as "authentic" of course) came with an actual Kate Spade wallet box.

This fake, with metal feet that would poke your eye out, came with an actual Kate Spade dustbag.

More fakes with price tags:

Be careful out there in eBay Land!

The fake with the dustbag just above has huge pyramid shaped metal feet; this purse looks like it could double as a weapon. If your bag has huge metal feet the size of a dime or larger, or if they are big and pointy, chances are your bag is a fake.

This fake bag is an injury waiting to happen!

A very common feature on counterfeits, especially back in '99 and '00, is a black stripe around the top or close to the top of the bag. This is a feature that you won't see on authentic bags, particularly on the nylon collection.

If you have a NYLON bag you want to authenticate, Click Here

If you have a RAINBOW or MULTI-STRIPE bag you want to authenticate, Click Here

If you have any other STRIPE bag you want to authenticate, Click Here