In Gucci part two we showcase in further detail the difference between
found on ebay, and the replications lurking there. Combining both the brand specific details with the universal tells illustrated in our
Spot Fake Handbags
tutorial, should help insulate you from many of the counterfeit Gucci bags online.
Part two of the guide we are going to combine the font tells with the quality points like
poor stamp impressions and highlight the fake Gucci labels.
Below are images with a mixture of incorrect label fonts and poor stitching:
Quality Notes: The stitching that frames the label
is crooked and irregular, and depending on the Gucci handbag model the counterfeiters were
replicating, most Gucci labels have only one stitch line running horizontally across the
top of the label. Also the impression of "made in italy"
is muddled and unclear, most notably the word "italy" at the end of the impression.
Font Notes: The overall apperance of the label (left) is so poor that going into details does not
even matter. Most people would have a funny feeling about this label just based on the
quality. However, the counterfeiters did try to get the U in the font correct, by making the
left side thicker than the right side. Also, they tried to get the pivot points in the G and the
two letters C correct, but the details have failed at technical (micro) level, and the overall
(macro) collective appearance.
Quality Notes: The slanting stitch line of this phony Gucci label. Also note that the left side of
the label is slightly longer than the right side.(This is partially blocked by the
text box, but the uneven label edges are still visible.)
Font Notes: The counterfeiters of this label (left) tried to replicate the Gucci font with
all its details, but has failed in overall quality and detail. The impressions do not have crisp
outlines. The outlines of the Gucci letters look irregular in places. The G lacks crisp pivot
points and the letter ends up looking more circular. However, the bottom of the G looks like it is
poking down. This is evidence of an attempt to create the more boxy, authentic looking G font, but
it failed and the letter G looks lopsided instead. The same with the U. They correctly
made the left side thicker than the right side, but the bottom curve of the U lacks the crisp pivot,
and ends up looking like a perfect half circle. Both letters C have the same curvature problem. Also,
the "made in italy" is touching the Gucci font, and is not centered under the font correctly, as it looks
like it is shifted lightly too far left.
Below is an image of a fake Gucci label with bad stitching:
Quality notes: The sloppy stitch line actually runs off the label on the far
right side.
Font notes: The first issue with this fake Gucci label/font is that
the counterfeiter did not fully attempt to replicate the letter [G] and the correct
pivot points of an authentic, more boxy looking Gucci G (unlike the fake white label above).
Instead the G has perfect curves, and looks very circular. The [U] also looks circular, however it
does look like the fakers tried to replicate the correct Gucci U (at least on top) by making the
left side slightly wider than the right side. Next, with the letters [CC], it does appear that
the counterfeiters tried to replicate the authentic Gucci C, however this also failed, especially
with the second C, as it looks like the bottom of the letter is bent, and poking down, giving the
second C a lopsided appearance. Finally, the [I] looks slightly crooked, and it
does not appear to have the serif typeface on the top or bottom.
Below is an image with another stitching problem:
Quality Notes: This stitching error is more subtle, but still a telling sign. The thread in
top stitch line are smaller lengths than the lower stitch line threads on the same strap. Also
notice that the "made in italy" stamp is not centered under the Gucci correctly. It looks like it
is shifted too far off to the left.
Font notes: In some earlier examples of fake Gucci labels, the fonts
lacked the pivot points and looked too "rounded", however, the font (left) is actually
too "squared". The problem is the backing curve of the letter G, and both letters C is too vertical. It looks like the counterfeiter tried
to get the pivot points correct, but the overly vertical backs of the G and C letters gives this
font an incorrect square look. But the most obvious error in the font pertains to the serif typeface.
The serifs (feet) that are located at the ends of the letters are uneven. This detail is most
obvious on the letter [U], and the letter [I]. If you look at the top of both of those letters, the
serif looks like it is longer on the left side of letter, instead of being centered above the lines.
The I is the most dramatic. It does not even look like there is much of the serif at all on the
right side of the I, it is nearly all on the left side, completely uneven. Also the tops of
both the G, and the letters C, have an incorrect, overly thick triangular looking serif issue.