More than a century ago, the first line of bags was released by the famous Italian brand Prada. Today the concern includes about 300 retail outlets specializing in the sale of branded items, and about 10 factories producing branded products. They are located all over the world.
The result of the unspeakable popularity of the brand is the mass counterfeiting of Prada handbags. However, if you want to purchase a high-quality bag that will last for many years, you need to know how a real brand differs from any possible fakes.
Prada bag - how to recognize a fake
A real Prada bag is not only a high-quality accessory, but also a rather expensive pleasure. The average price of one handbag exceeds 1 thousand dollars. However, the original differs from a fake not only in price.
Certificate of Authenticity
By purchasing an original accessory, each buyer receives a product certificate - a card that is placed in a dark envelope.This card contains a description of the product, its bar code, which corresponds to a set of numbers located on the inside of the accessory. Some retail outlets include a plastic card with the certificate, which indicates the features of this model and its outline. Employees of branded stores, when accepting the goods, register them: the boutique’s stamp and the date when the product was registered are affixed to the certificate.
Package
The next distinguishing characteristic of the fact that you are purchasing a branded item is the packaging of the accessory. The original packaging of the handbag is a natural cotton bag with a drawstring. It can be white or dark blue and only made of cotton, satin, silk or nylon. Exclusively cotton. On white bags the emblem is printed in black, but on dark blue bags it is printed in gold. The inside of the package contains the tag “Prada 100% cotton Made in Italy”. After packing the accessory in a bag, it is placed in a box or case. Only Prada brand bags are sold in this packaging.
If the seller packages the product in plastic, or only packages some of the products (handles or fittings), or even sells the bag without packaging, you are probably faced with a fake. Prada took care of the safety of the leather from which the accessory is made, which is why the authentic product is packaged first in a cotton bag and then in a box.
Labels and logo
Accessories that were brought for sale from Italy do not have a label. Bags manufactured in other countries may have labels. However, the color scheme of the label is matched to the shade of the bag. And, as a result, it will not be a bright color (blue, white or green).
If a product has a label with a sample of the accessory material, this is a clear sign of a fake.
Prada bags have external logos, as well as those located inside the accessory. Based on their characteristics, it is quite possible to determine the authenticity of the product.
The outer emblem is presented in the form of a triangle with its base facing up. The brand name is located inside the figure. Often the triangle is a solid metal piece that is attached to the bag with rivets. The "Prada" lettering is slightly raised.
Important: on original accessories from a well-known brand, the enamel color is chosen as close as possible to the color of the handbag itself. On some models of the product, the famous triangle is made of leather, and the brand name is directly stamped on it.
The letters in the name are always located at the same distance.
Important: experts are able to determine the authenticity of an accessory by looking at the name inscription. In original products, the letter R is printed with a curved leg and a greater angle than the leg of the letter A.
Inside the original bag, a metal plate with the brand logo is attached to the lining. The shade of the enamel is also matched to the color of the lining, and the shade of the brand name is matched to the fittings. There can be only 2 options for the inscription:
- "PRADA Made in Italy";
- "PRADA Milano Made in Italy".
Quality of materials, tailoring
Most handbags are made of leather. In products of any well-known brand, the quality of seams is of an extremely high level. They are all even, the stitches are neat and clear. In original PRADA brand products, the edges of the material are placed under the seam. While on an imitation of an expensive brand, the edge of the material is sealed.
A distinctive feature of the accessories is the almost identical shade of the handbag itself and its lining, which is made either of calfskin or of excellent quality satin.
Accessories
One product uses fittings of only one color: gold, pink or silver. On new models of bags, all fittings, both internal and external, are metal with the inscription of the brand name.
In older models of bags you can find plastic zippers, while newer models have strictly metal zippers, on the slider of which you can read the name of the manufacturer.
Another distinctive feature of Prada bags is the use of first-class zippers, which are lubricated with a special compound. Thanks to this, the zipper opens and closes effortlessly.
Place of purchase
It is best to buy the desired accessory in personalized boutiques. They are located in the capitals of every country in the world. It is also possible to order the product on official websites on the Internet.
What else should you pay attention to when purchasing?
A genuine bag is distinguished not only by special fittings, logos and certificates. The shape of the product itself is also important. Original accessories have a strict geometric shape.
A real Prada bag is unlikely to cost several hundred dollars. And if you want to save a little, you can look for an authentic item in stock stores.
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