Fake or Real (Authentic, Genuine, etc.) -- Official Authentication Thread

[dieworkwear]

I believe the Kensington is always made in England, as it's part of their flagship Heritage line. I could be wrong, however.

 

[barryzhang27]

I believe the Kensington is always made in England, as it's part of their flagship Heritage line. I could be wrong, however.

So if it’s not made in England, it’s not from their heritage line? I was under the assumption that some Kensingtons were made in Turkey for a while in the mid 2000s

 

[dieworkwear]

So if it’s not made in England, it’s not from their heritage line? I was under the assumption that some Kensingtons were made in Turkey for a while in the mid 2000s

You may be right. I don't pay that close attention to Burberry. But my understanding is that they have a flagship line called Heritage, and some of the iconic trench models are under that line. The Heritage collection is used to give the rest of the line a halo effect, so it's made in England. I don't know if they've used the Westminster and Kensington cuts for the non-Heritage though.

 

[barryzhang27]

You may be right. I don't pay that close attention to Burberry. But my understanding is that they have a flagship line called Heritage, and some of the iconic trench models are under that line. The Heritage collection is used to give the rest of the line a halo effect, so it's made in England. I don't know if they've used the Westminster and Kensington cuts for the non-Heritage though.

I see. The cut (when compared to the current Kensington’s on Burberry’s website) appears to be identical apart from the raglan sleeve. I think it’s the material composition which confuses me the most. I thought heritage line trench coats were always 100% cotton

 

[dieworkwear]

I see. The cut (when compared to the current Kensington’s on Burberry’s website) appears to be identical apart from the raglan sleeve. I think it’s the material composition which confuses me the most. I thought heritage line trench coats were always 100% cotton

My impression is that there's so much counterfeit Burberry on the market, if you didn't buy from the Burberry shop, you don't know for sure.

A few years ago, I interviewed the head of the authentication department at a prominent second-hand luxury business. They buy high-end goods from people and resell them to others. I asked how does one authenticate certain things.

The person said that it's very easy to spot bad fakes but there are lots and lots of good fakes out there nowadays. And the good fakes are so good, it's nearly impossible to tell. This is why they ask for secondary and tertiary evidence, such as original store tags and receipts. But of course, even those can be counterfeited.

If you look at the watch market, there are fake Rolexes nowadays that are very, very hard to spot. If a mechanical watch can be replicated to such a high degree, what chance does a garment have?

Burberry is a massive line with many SKUs. They've also watered down their brand. Lots of outlet stuff floating around. Only the Heritage line remains relatively intact. Feels like every two weeks, someone comes to this board and asks "is this Burberry real?" I don't think anyone can give a definitive answer. Personally think you should just wear it if you like it. If it turns out to be fake, enjoy as a piece of folk art.

 

[barryzhang27]

My impression is that there's so much counterfeit Burberry on the market, if you didn't buy from the Burberry shop, you don't know for sure.

A few years ago, I interviewed the head of the authentication department at a prominent second-hand luxury business. They buy high-end goods from people and resell them to others. I asked how does one authenticate certain things.

The person said that it's very easy to spot bad fakes but there are lots and lots of good fakes out there nowadays. And the good fakes are so good, it's nearly impossible to tell. This is why they ask for secondary and tertiary evidence, such as original store tags and receipts. But of course, even those can be counterfeited.

If you look at the watch market, there are fake Rolexes nowadays that are very, very hard to spot. If a mechanical watch can be replicated to such a high degree, what chance does a garment have?

Burberry is a massive line with many SKUs. They've also watered down their brand. Lots of outlet stuff floating around. Only the Heritage line remains relatively intact. Feels like every two weeks, someone comes to this board and asks "is this Burberry real?" I don't think anyone can give a definitive answer. Personally think you should just wear it if you like it. If it turns out to be fake, enjoy as a piece of folk art.

Yes I've seen quite a few of those posts. I think I'll try to contact Grailed and see what they have to say about this. My only possible reason for returning it is that I made my offer under the impression that it's an authentic Heritage line model. If I can't verify that it is, then I can't in good conscience resell it at a later time claiming that it's a Heritage model (I don't think I'm the type to hang onto a single piece of clothing for decades). Also, if indeed it is not from the Heritage line, then I probably wouldn't have offered as high a price (I paid $400)

 

[Phileas Fogg]

“The Real Real” got in some trouble a couple of years ago over its authentication process. Allegedly, In an effort to put merchandise into their catalogue of available items, the authentication process was rushed and not always handled by experts:

The RealReal Sold Me A $3,600 Fake; Here’s Why Counterfeits Slip Through Its Authentication Process

The RealReal's business is in part built on its promise of authentication, but I received a fake Christian Dior handbag. How can the resale business ever succeed if fakes are being sold as real?

www.forbes.com

However, as long as their are brand whores out there who find personal validation in an otherwise banal existence there will be these types of thrift shops to service them.

 

[Rasputin13]

Yo. I got this on eBay, nomsayin? Does it look authentic to you? Seems like a quality piece. My other luxury ties I bought on therealreal. I’m scared to buy stuff on eBay out of fear they’re fake. Like I once saw a pair of Versace underwear with a tag that said “made in China.” Everyone knows Jonny’s stuff is made in Italy.
is this tie correct though?

 

[My Main Man]

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Yo. I got this on eBay, nomsayin? Does it look authentic to you? Seems like a quality piece. My other luxury ties I bought on therealreal. I’m scared to buy stuff on eBay out of fear they’re fake. Like I once saw a pair of Versace underwear with a tag that said “made in China.” Everyone knows Jonny’s stuff is made in Italy.
is this tie correct though?

Sorry, that's fake. The lining is a dead giveaway.

 

[Rasputin13]

Sorry, that's fake. The lining is a dead giveaway.

I feel violated. Am I safe to assume any tie I buy on TheRealReal is legit. I bought an Armani and a couple of Versace ties there. I can post pics if needed.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I feel violated. Am I safe to assume any tie I buy on TheRealReal is legit. I bought an Armani and a couple of Versace ties there. I can post pics if needed.

see my post above regarding the RealReal. Use your own judgement.

I start with the basic premise that unless it’s purchased new from the boutique or an authorized vendor (department store, etc) it’s a fake. That is my Ho.

 

[Nickd]

I’ve always found fakes easy to spot if you have any knowledge of the genuine item, but they do seem to be getting better. Difficult if you aren’t buying in person though, as the differences generally show themselves in person.

That Armani tie wouldn’t fool many people though, even from 6 feet away.

 

[Rasputin13]

I’ve always found fakes easy to spot if you have any knowledge of the genuine item, but they do seem to be getting better. Difficult if you aren’t buying in person though, as the differences generally show themselves in person.

That Armani tie wouldn’t fool many people though, even from 6 feet away.

What about items purchased on therealreal? They say they authenticate everything.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

What about items purchased on therealreal? They say they authenticate everything.

you keep asking the same question. Do a little research yourself.

 

[breakaway01]

What about items purchased on therealreal? They say they authenticate everything.

I doubt there is anyone here who has a lot of inside knowledge on how well they authenticate items. But don't you think that just maybe they have a very strong vested interest in making that claim? And ask yourself how much it would cost them to pay true "experts" to authenticate every item they sell. A word of caution here.