How can you spot a fake Longchamp folding bag?

One of these bags is sold every fifteen seconds worldwide. The Pliage was conceived in 1993 and is first and foremost a concept. Contrary to what was available at the time, the Pliage bag is practical and lightweight. Made from nylon and leather, the Pliage can be slipped into a suitcase or used for lessons or sports. It is easy to fold thanks to an ingenious system of seams and cut-outs. This model has subsequently been made available in a wide range of colours to satisfy as many people as possible. However, such notoriety has not kept counterfeiters away, and they have been quick to create replicas of this iconic model. If you buy one outside an official shop, here are a few tips to help you tell whether it's a real or fake Longchamp folding bag.

Find out how to protect yourself in 3 minutes by watching our video on Longchamp counterfeits:

Want to find out more? Read the full article below.

Leather :

First of all, pay particular attention to the leather part of the bag. It should have a diamond pattern. You should be able to see this little shape many times.

On counterfeit bags, the leather is of poor quality, so the diamond pattern will not be visible. Instead, you will see a much rounder or irregular pebble shape. Sometimes the leather is even completely smooth.

On the left, an authentic Longchamp bag, on the right, a fake Longchamp bag.

Also check the colour of the leather on your Longchamp bag. The colour of the leather should be tan with red-orange highlights. If you look closely, you should be able to see darker and lighter areas. This is a sign of very good quality leather. On a counterfeit folding bag, the leather is a solid colour; there are no stains, light or dark.

On the press stud on the material, you should be able to read a number of different things. Firstly, the words 'LONGCHAMP' and '1948', written in an arc. Secondly, you should also be able to see the jockey in the brand logo. This illustration is in the centre of the button.

If you turn the tab over, you should be able to see the words "ORIGINAL PRYM 6/4B" on the back of the button. If you see anything else on this button, you are most likely dealing with a counterfeit.

Handles :

Pay particular attention to the handles of your Longchamp folding bag. These will tell you whether or not it is a counterfeit bag.

On a genuine Longchamp folding bag, the handles are flat. You should always be able to see this diamond pattern all over the handles. The Longchamp factories create their handles by folding the leather in half. You should be able to see this superimposition. On replicas of the folded bag, the straps are round, almost cylindrical. The binding is also the same colour as the strap.

On the left, replica handles, on the right, authentic handles

If you buy your bag new, the handles will be slightly stiff. If you buy it second-hand, they will be much softer, due to use.

Want to find out more about the authenticity of designer bags? Check out these articles: The Tote bag by Marc Jacobs, the Chiquito bag by Jacquemus and the Saint-Louis bag by Goyard.

Closing :

Also check the zipper on the folding bag. It should be marked with a "YKK" and a "T" on both sides of the zip. The zip pull should consist of a ring with the brand logo on it. Around this ring is written "LONGCHAMP" and "1948".

The inside press stud :

Last but not least are the press studs inside the Longchamp bag. The first press stud is in the small pocket and the second is at the bottom of the bag. Check that these buttons are reinforced by a transparent disc placed around them. On counterfeit bags, these press studs are not reinforced and wear out easily.

On the left, a button with a transparent disc, on the left, a counterfeit bag without a transparent disc around the press stud.

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