Six months ago, not only the giants of the mass market, but also luxury brands suspended their activities in Russia. Therefore, it is not surprising that the resale period has begun in our country. Local fashion designers and their stylists with renewed vigor took up the analysis of things from the brands’ archival collections. But how not to stumble upon something fake and not spend a fortune on something from the Gardener? We cover these and other issues with stylist, author of the Megastyle Telegram channel, and founder of TackyNotTacky Vintage vintage project Ira Dubina. Let’s make a promise to him.
Ira Dubina
Unfortunately, with the growing popularity of vintage, the number of fakes is increasing, and not only are they 20 years old or more, but also replicas (I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a full range of “vintage” Dior and Fendi somewhere in Dubrovka). It will be even more inconvenient to buy a “friend” at the expense of the original, given that the old prices also increase exponentially. I will try to give you simple and understandable instructions on how to minimize the possibility of a fake and what aspects you should pay special attention to.
Choose a smart seller
The most important and banal advice, but nowhere without it. The number of vintage stores is growing rapidly, but not all vendors really understand what to sell. Prefer those who know their archive collections and share their knowledge with subscribers. Look at how much experience the seller has, how long he’s been selling vintages, how he got to this point, and the quality of his selection. In my observation, the best vintage artists are those who do it primarily for the soul, not the money.
Forget the existence of Google
It would be helpful to google what you like before purchasing. This is especially true for the most extravagant positions that are most often imitated: monogrammed Dior products, rare saddle bags, Fendi baguettes, Gucci bags (almost anything), etc. Search other reputable sites and vintage stores (Farfetch, 1stdibs, ElCycer, QV Archive, Nina Gabbana Vintage, Pechuga Vintage, Tokyo Roses Vintage, etc.) and compare print, tags, bag inner tags, serial numbers, and other small items. detail. But for this type of research, I recommend avoiding marketplaces like TheRealReal, Poshmark, Depop or Tradesy: there are enough fakes out there too.
What matters is what’s inside
Pay attention to the quality of the inside seams on the garments, how the labels are sewn, and how high-quality the materials and finishes look. Carefully review the label with the brand name and size, but be aware that for each brand it may differ depending on the year of manufacture of the product. For example, at Dior during the Galliano era, in things in the collections of the 1990s, the sizes were indicated mainly in the international grid (XS, S, etc.), and after 2000 – in digital format, also four. simultaneous measurement systems: French, British, German and American.
All eyes on the label
See how the brand name appears on the label: the font must be correct. This can be easily checked online, for example, at vintagefashionguild.org in the Label Source section. The inscription should be neat, the letters are clear and well printed.
Details matter
Bags are mostly fake, and here each brand has its own nuances. For example, it is quite easy to identify the fake Dior by the name and serial number and the internal label. In non-original bags they are often very poorly made. However, there are more modern copies that are almost indistinguishable from the “native ones” at first glance, and here it is worth paying attention to the details: how the zipper looks, whether the serial number is placed correctly, how high-quality the fasteners. There are also many fakes among Louis Vuitton, so first of all we look at the presence of a serial number. It should consist of two letters and four numbers indicating where the bag was left – the first and third months, the second and fourth the year of issue. Finding out what year this or that Louis Vuitton model came out is also quite simple on the internet.
By the way, as for the quality of workmanship, do not let this aspect bother you: for example, the original vintage bag has no lining inside, and the seams often look raw and rather rough. Everything is more complicated with Gucci bags: they started imitating them in the 1980s and learned how to do it pretty well. In this case, I advise you to examine the inner label very carefully: it should be made of the same leather as the bag itself, it should be neat and neat and tough enough, the logo should be printed and placed in a clear and correct font. exactly in the middle of the label.
Source: People Talk
Richard Stock is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a lifestyle expert who provides readers with the latest news and trends in the world of fashion, beauty, food, and travel. With a sharp eye for detail and a passion for writing, Richard offers unique insights and perspectives on the topics he covers.
