How to Identify an Authentic Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has been in the business of manufacturing and distributing high-end, couture accessories. One of his most popular purses is the Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas. You can find what seem like Louis Vuitton purses everywhere you go these days, but chances are, only a small percentage of them are authentic. Most of the purses are knock-offs or copycats. If you are interested in purchasing a Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas handbag but are concerned about authenticity, you’re not alone. It’s difficult to keep track of the tell-tale signs of knock-offs. Telling the fake Louis Vuitton from the real McCoy takes a good eye, some patience and a little product knowledge.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look to see if your Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas purse comes with a yellow authenticity card, a tag or canvas sample swatch attached anywhere to the item. Louis Vuitton has never used a yellow card, nor has it ever attached tags or canvas swatches to any item in any of their lines. If your purse has any of these items, it's a fake.

2. Look at the handle of your purse. Louis Vuitton never covers the handle with tissue paper or plastic.

3. Look at the leather details on the purse. It should be a pinkish-flesh color when new and a light, honey brown when aged. It should never be yellow or dark brown. Any leather trim will also have yellow stitching.

4. Check to see if your purse has a base or bottom that has been sewn on. Authentic Louis Vuitton purses are made from one single, unbroken piece of leather or canvas.

5. Look very closely at the seams of the purse. Are any of the “LV” monogram symbols cut off? Louis Vuitton never cuts into the “LV” on a monogram canvas item. Regardless of where the individual monogram symbols appear on an item, they should all be whole. One possible exception is on the Ellipse.

6. Turn the handbag around and look at the back. The monogram symbols should be upside down. If they're not, the bag is not an authentic Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't believe an item is an authentic Louis Vuitton just because a seller asks a lot of money for it. Even a trusted, established seller can get taken now and then. Always do your own inspection of the monogram canvas.
• Sometimes sellers on eBay either don’t know how to photograph an item in a way that allows you to examine it properly, or they are trying to prevent you from doing so. If you see an item on eBay you’re interested in, but you aren’t satisfied with the available photo(s), ask to be shown additional photos. A seller with an authentic product won’t mind.

[mary13]

on 5/5/2009 Your article on how to distinguish a fake Louis Vuitton has some flaws. I own an authentic Plat Sac Louis Vuitton ( Monogram Collection) and in your article, it stated that every authentic Louis Vuitton bag would have upside down LV's on the back of the bag. That does not hold true for the Plat Sac. You can also look online at www.LouisVuitton.com and look at the Plat Sac bag($1000) under the monogram collection and on the website where it shows the bag, you will be able to see that all of the LV's on the bag are right side up.

[yilu]

on 3/27/2009 A symbol of Louis Vuitton since 1896, the Monogram canvas was created by the son of Louis Vuitton, George Vuitton. He began a campaign to build the company into a worldwide corporation, exhibiting the company's products at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. In 1896, the company launched the legendary Monogram Canvas and made the worldwide patents on it. Its graphic symbols, including quatrefoils and flowers (as well as the LV monogram), were based on the trend of using Japanese and Oriental designs in the late Victorian era.Monogram canvas combines durability, flexibility and lightness. It is entirely impermeable and highly resistant to surface scratches. It is perfectly suitable for all kinds of uses: daily, business and travel. Monogram is available in a complete collection of timeless styles enriched each year by new models for both men and women.see more at http://www.any-bag.com/loui

[Scottcs]

on 11/27/2008 Wow. Most of the information in this guide is false! I love it when people post articles on a topic that they know very little about.

You should delete this article so that you aren't posting misinformation.

[huanton]

on 11/3/2008 Great stuff! I'll try this!

[Duchessblue]

on 10/28/2008 I just purchased a Louis Vuitton in Paris (Avenue Montaigne)off the Champs Elysees but nothing I read here matches my Neverfull GM Monogram - my labels are all right side up and it looks like the bottom is sewn on. Am I looking at the wrong site? Please help.