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Thursday, July 20, 2017

How to Spot a Fake

So, over the past couple of years I have told you how to minimise the risk of buying a fake Mulberry and where to go to have it authenticated. What I haven't shown you is some of the detail that can give away a fake bag straight away. I obviously don't have an endless supply of fakes but I do have this Mulberry Oversized Alexa, so have a look at my video and pics and take note of the signs that give away a bag as fake! (By the way, it's not this one - different bag!)


And as promised - some pictures to accompany the video
The fake is the 'watermelon' colour, the black is my genuine one.

The most obvious first: the Imprint on the oval and the fob with the tree. 
 
Genuine Mulberry Alexa Imprint and Fob

See how the genuine Mulberry's font is a sans serif, i.e. without little lines at the end of each letter? All straight lines. It is also neatly printed and not smudged (if a bit worn on my battered Lexie).

The stitching is neat and even - though I have seen genuine bags with messier stitching!

The metal fob, which is hanging off the oval is neatly imprinted. Now, I can never remember how many leaves are in which position but the genuine tree has sharply printed leaves.

Fake Alexa Imprint and Fob

The fake bag's Mulberry imprint font is more 'frilly' looking, the letters emulate more of a serif font, i.e. little lines at the ends of the letters. It is also badly printed and not very straight.

The stitching is fairly even but has a weird kink on the left hand side.

The leaves of the tree on the metal fob are rounder and not as sharp.


Back of the fob and serial number

Genuine Mulberry Alexa serial number

The font on the back of the fob is likewise a sans serif, straight numbers, neatly lasered (or etched?) on.

Fake Alexa serial number

  The font of the numbers on the fake bag is much more frilly. Whilst some vintage bags have numbers that are actually imprinted into fonts rather than etched or lasered, I have only ever seen straight, non serif fonts.


Now, the made in label isn't as obvious.

Genuine Alexa made in label
Above the genuine...

...the fake below.

Fake Alexa made in label

I don't have a 'Made in England' label from an Alexa on file but this is from another genuine bag and if you compare the 'g' in England, you can see how the genuine one looks more old fashioned - funnily enough a bit more frilly than the fake font. They just can't get it right, can they. ;) 

Genuine Mulberry Made in England label


 The genuine magnetic closure...

Genuine Alexa magnetic closure

is raised and has a distinct ridge.

Fake Mulberry Alexa magnetic closure
 The fake bag's magnetic closure is fairly flat and has no ridge.

Closure straps

Genuine Alexa strap ends
The genuine bag has straight screws on the back of the metal tabs at the end of the straps. The tree imprint is even and neat and the metal totally flat around it.

Fake Mulberry Alexa strap ends
 The screws on the fake bag have Phillips heads (i.e. like a cross). The tree imprint looks fairly neat but the metal is depressed around the tree as well.


And Something else I noticed:

 See how there is only stitching to what you see above and below the tree rivet (this is to the left and right of the top handle).

The fake bag has stitching top and bottom and left and right. This isn't present on the genuine bag at all.

There are actually another few differences but these are the most obvious ones. Hopefully you will find them useful, but do bear in mind that every model can have its own markers. The new generation of Mulberry (under Coca's design) has changed significantly and many of said characteristics have disappeared altogether. Nothing beats spending £5 and getting it authenticated by professionals! And even somebody who has handled lots of bags (ahm, me), isn't safe: I would have sworn this was the real deal!

3 comments:

  1. Hi! I recently came across your mulberry alexa bag video on youtube and I was wondering if you could help me authenticate an Alexa bag that I want to buy. I would greatly appreciate it!!! I've been scammed with fake bags before so I'm always wary when sellers don't have authenticicty cards and such. Please and thank you!
    Or do you know how I can get it authenticated? Thank you so so much!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Evening where can I get a mulberry bag checked for authentication please

    ReplyDelete
  3. Are all Mulberry bags with the fabric black
    Made in England tag without the fancy G fakes?

    ReplyDelete