How to Identify an Authentic Louis Vuitton Vintage

It didn't last long, but for a short time in the 1970s and 1980s Louis Vuitton licensed the production and distribution of their items within the United States to the French Luggage Company. Due to the company's short contract, the products they manufactured are relatively obscure. The items are also unique in that they don't follow all of Louis Vuitton's identification criteria. Distinguishing an authentic "French Company for Louis Vuitton" item is difficult but rewarding.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Examine the bag for a paper tag or evidence of a paper tag that had been sewn into one of the seams. Authentic "French Company for Louis Vuitton" handbags were made with a paper tag sewn into the side seam. The tag states the item was manufactured under license in the United States. Keep in mind the tags are easily damaged and removed. The absence of a tag is not absolute evidence that the bag is a fake.

2. Check for interior embossing in addition to the tag. There may be embossing inside the bag that discloses the item was licensed for manufacturing within the United States. However, it’s equally possible that an embossed department store name has taken the place of the manufacturing information.

3. Look closely at any metal hardware. Authentic "French Company for Louis Vuitton" pieces have rivet heads that are plain rather than embossed.

4. Examine the bag's zipper pull. While engraving zipper pulls is popular with counterfeiters, there should not be an “LV” monogram symbol engraved on the zipper pull of a French Company bag. In fact, nothing should be engraved on the zipper pull.

5. Search for a patch on the outside of the bag. "French Company for Louis Vuitton" bags often sport a plain, oval patch that was meant for personal monograms.

6. Look for a date code on the inside of the bag. Authentic "French Company for Louis Vuitton" items did not have date or production codes printed or attached to them.

Tips & Warnings

• Just because a seller asks a lot of money for an item, doesn’t assume the product is authentic. Even a trusted, established consignment seller gets taken now and then. Always do your own inspection of the item.
• If you aren't satisfied with the photo(s) offered by an online seller, ask to be shown additional photos. A seller with an authentic product won’t mind.

[jenfitzpatrick]

on 7/10/2009 Just to clarify the zipper pull statement in the original article. The FC Speedy bags do in fact have words on them. The FC used Talon zippers and the pull part attached to the Tucky lock will say 'TALON' on both sides. The actual part that does the zipping will say TALON on it as well. The lock itself is free of engraving.

[LVNutty]

on 10/18/2008 The French Company under special license to Louis Vuitton was in production from the mid-70's all the way to the mid-1990's~!!

Please note that they were making products for Louis Vuitton FAR longer than stated in the opening paragraph regarding this subject. They were producing for 20 years. There are quite a lot of FC products out there, many, MANY made for Saks Fifth Avenue and marked Saks Fifth Avenue. Unfortunately, they weren't crafted as well as the regular Louis Vuitton items coming from their own factories, and therefore many are in sad condition when found and are often overlooked because of canvas tearing, pipining loss, zipper blow outs, etc.

Louis Vuitton will NOT repair a FC item and I believe it's a direct result of not being as well made, but they will refuse to repair, leaving the new owner with only trusted shoe repair places to repair their items.

[javaughn]

on 4/2/2008 THIS INFORMATION WAS VERY HELPFUL. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE A FAKE LOUIS VUITTON.