How to Perfect the Skill to Authenticate Chanel bags

I still coming across people that they are left absolute in perplexity on how to tell the real Chanel bags from the fakes. To make things worse, more time and efforts they put in to internet research, more confused and frustrated they get. Not only there is a lack of substantial material, often the claims are contradicting. With this issue in mind, this is my goal to clear up the fog for you.

What I learnt from the internet is that the logo “CHANEL” was initially hand-drawn and since been in used. A search for a matching computer font type would be in vain: There isn’t one, which is to our advantage. I still see fakes simply pulled up a computer fonts type and printed the logo. Strange indeed. Consider the technical requirement is nothing; the cost of the custom-made printing screen is trivial. So my only guess this is how the mentality works: Going after the quick and easy, the minimum job requirement to get away with things. They do not have the luxury, nor do they see the necessity to sit down, perfecting the job. I am speaking from my 20 years’ project experience, sitting down together with offshore manufacturers through problems after problems. The truth might be hard to swallow, but I do not think the fake-makers are always the prime culprit in the fake industry. Anyway, I better drop it as it is going off the rail. My point is this, as of the moment writing this article, there are still many fakes out there doing a poor job replicating the logo. Things are changing and changing fast. Until then, understand the logo's unique features will train us an eagle eye so hopefully no fakes can escape our checks.

 

 

I pick up six unique features in the logo:

 

1. Can one trace a perfect circle over the letter “C”?

 

No, it is not, but almost. Check out the image to the right. 

You can trace a perfect circle on the outside curve of the letter “C”. The inside curve goes slightly inward at the open counters, making the flats wider.

 

 

 

 

I am not suggesting you measure with a vernier caliper; this minute feature is hardly detectable with bare eyes. However the case if you come across a bag with the letter C in oval or capsule shape, something is wrong.

 

                                       

 

2. What is the open counter's angle in letter “C”? 30⁰, 60⁰, 70⁰ or 90⁰?

 

There are quite a few suggestions I heard so far and I decided to find it out myself measuring the items I have on hand including the logo download from the internet. My answer is: 60⁰

 

 

 

 

 Again, I am not suggesting you, during bag inspection, literally put a projector over the logo and check. Now you know the angle is 60⁰, you would able to “sense” the difference from a 90⁰ or 30⁰ or even something hilariously like below: A flat parallels opening counters.

 

 

3. The six letters space out evenly?

 

It is absolutely incorrect. Check it out for yourself. I scanned the image and put grids over it. Space between letters N and E and space between E and L are more expansive. It is something detectable under visual inspection; no tool is required.

 

 

4. An elevated letter “H” and a descended letter “A”?

It is a correct claim indeed. The crossbar or called the middle stroke, in both letters are not center aligned.

 

 

5. The stem in the letter “N” has a different width?

 

It is true. On a new bag, it is even more apparent. When you compare the diagonal stem's flats, the top is wider than the bottom, as illustrated. 

Many fakes give them away on this one. 

 

 

6. The arms in the Letter “E” have different length?

 

True. With the middle stroke being the shortest, the top being the second, and the bottom being the longest. I make several reference lines on the logo and the prints. The fake in this case is usually having both the top and the bottom arms the same length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In real practice, the prints may not be crisp enough for checking. The bottom line here is that we build ourselves an instinct to know what to hunt for at a glance on a preloved Chanel bag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for a test on checking for fake Chanel?

 

 

I prepare an exercise for you.

 

   

 

 

 

 

PS: We welcome you to share the material, please just can make reference back to Planet Deluxe. Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the author: Fashion idiot, some kind of technical trained professional, has been work stationed in Asia for years, humbly facilitated manufacturers spanning across diverse industries with some eye-opening encounters.

 

 

Disclaimer: Planet Deluxe is not associated and makes no claimed to be affiliated with any of the designer brands we sell. All copyrights are reserved to the original brand owner.