DIOR HOMME - Shirts: Metal Logo Tags

Some of the t-shirts from earlier collections had metal logo tags connected to a couple chain links and sewn into the shirt, instead of the silver fabric label.

Example (click to enlarge):

This is an example of the tag. I have not seen any of these faked yet. It is much cheaper for the counterfeiters to stick with the fabric labels rather than producing the metal ones... cheaper for Dior too, which is why they switched (to cut production costs). But still be on the lookout!


UPDATE: I have found a fake Dior Homme leather jacket online with a fake metal logo tag. Here it is:

Example (click to enlarge):

As you can see above, the fake tag is slightly longer than the authentic one, and the text is slightly larger. Furthermore, the fake text looks like it was stamped into the metal, whereas the authentic looks like it is engraved into the metal (note the sharper edges). The The fake also has an extra link or two in the chain.


Keep On Huntin'

JOHN GALLIANO - Denim: Rubber Logo Tags

DSQUARED - Denim: Leather Logos

Some Dsquared jeans have these leather logos sewn on the back of the waistband. Some say "Faith," some say "DC/DC," some say "Lord2," etc... However, there should always be an embossed Dsquared2 logo below it. The key to authenticating these tags is in the stitching. These tags are leather (or sometimes suede leather) with cut-out leather letters sewn on them. The fake tags usually have shaky stitching that doesn't follow the shape of the lettering very well. The fake stitching is usually one continuous stitch, whereas the authentic labels have no stitching connecting the letters.

Example (click to enlarge):

As you can see in the example above, the white stitching on the fake tag is connected between the letters. The letters of the authentic tag are sewn separately. These tags do vary in color though so disregard the color difference in this example.

Example (click to enlarge):

The above example of the DC/DC logo also demonstrates the difference in the quality of the stitching. You can see the fake stitching is quite poorly done and it doesn't line up with itself. The authentic example is a photo of a used pair of Dsquared jeans, so the edges of the DCDC logo are a little tattered. When the jeans are new the edges are crisply cut.

All-in-all, the stitching of these logos is a dead giveaway. It's the easiest way to tell if the jeans are fake or not. I have never come across a pair of fake D2 jeans with a properly stitched DCDC / Lord2 / or Faith logo. However, only some of the Dsquared jeans have these leather letter cut-out logos though. Other have more basic tags or logos, in which case it is a good idea to also check the tags and labels before purchasing.

DSQUARED - General Info: Hang Tags

If an item has an authentic tag attached, it DOES NOT guarantee authenticity. Tags can be switched so check the rest of the pictures, the description, and the seller's feedback and items sold. However, a fake tag does pretty much guarantee that the item is fake. There are loads of Dsquared fakes on eBay, and, with some of them it can be hard to tell the difference. So, a good place to start is with the hang tags (if attached). The same tag is attached to all Dsquared items and it does not vary in size. If the seller has no close-up shots of the hang tag (or if there's another detail you would like to see) ask for them. If the seller won't supply them, or is just being a jerk, go bid on another seller's item (like mine!!).

Example (click to enlarge):

The tag is thick cardboard with a black matte finish on the front. Near the bottom is the Dsquared2 logo. The letters should be glossy and slightly raised. Above, in the example of the fake you can see that the letters are not raised because the light catches all the letters uniformly with no highlights or shadows. Below is a close-up example.

Example (click to enlarge):

In the close-up you can also notice that the "2" is in a different type face. This is good to keep in mind because a lot of the fakes have this 'incorrect' "2," not only on the hang tags, but also on the sewn labels and elsewhere.

Example (click to enlarge):

The back of the tags should be the raw cardboard color. The only real difference here is that the fake "Made in Italy" text is slightly larger and positioned lower than the original.

JOHN GALLIANO - Shirts: Real v. Fake Photos

Here are some more comparison photos of real v. fake John Galliano shirts. I know this whole 'spot the difference' game can get a little tedious, but if you're buying online it really is necessary. The upside is that there are some great deals to be had on eBay (and elsewhere...).

Example (click to enlarge):

I don't know where to start with this one. You can pretty much see for yourself the vast difference in print quality (despite the blury pic of the fake). Also, keep the scale of the head in mind, and the lack of text on the fake.

Example (click to enlarge):

The fake example above has less gradation and subtleties, which can be seen in the flowers, and the ribbon around the heart. The fake's colors are also over saturated, as usual.

Example (click to enlarge):

The above fake example has over saturated colors, a lack of color subtleties in the cartoons, and the newspaper headlines are smaller, and not as bold.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

With these napoleon print shirts the fake print is pretty close to the original but there are differences. The fake head is larger in scale and the print is less angled than the authentic shirt. I have drawn lines on the photos to highlight the differences in the angles and spacing.

For more real v. fake comparison photos of John Galliano T-shirt designs, click the "print quality" tab under the John Galliano drop-down menu to the right of this page. Or, click here.

JOHN GALLIANO - Shirts: Lace Trim and Rubber Labels

All of the men's John Galliano shirts have lace sewn inside the collar (it varies in color from white, black, orange, etc.). Most of the fake shirts also have lace sewn in the collars, but the counterfeiters have not reproduced the exact same lace pattern. The rubber "John Galliano" logo tags also vary slightly from the authentic ones, in size and proportion.

Example (click to enlarge):

The lace on the fake shirt above is a simpler design and shaped in a more circular pattern, whereas the authentic lace is more intricate, and shaped in an elongated oval pattern. The fake rubber logo tag is not quite as long as the authentic tag. If you look closely you may also note that the fake letters are vertically elongated slightly more than the authentic letters. This elongation holds true for most of the fake Galliano logos out there (be they on shoes, pants, t-shirt armbands, etc.). It is a subtle difference, but if you compare two pictures side by side you can see it.

Example (click to enlarge):

This is another comparison photo of the lace. This fake lace is in a different pattern than the first example, but, you guessed it.... still fake. This fake rubber logo tag shares the same disproportions as the first example. Below are some more examples.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

JOHN GALLIANO - Shirts: General Info.

The major thing separating fake designer clothing from the authentic stuff, is quality. The fabric and construction of the fake stuff is totally inferior (...looks like crap). However, since that is not always easy to determine from photos, one must find other ways to examine the item. Which is kind of the purpose of this blog. If there is a printed graphic on the item, print quality is a good place to start. For more detailed information please select the 'Print Quality' link in the John Galliano drop-down menu to the right of this page.

Within the past year eBay has been flooded with Galliano knock-offs. It's mostly men's stuff that's being faked, but they are also faking some women's jeans and pants. The vast majority of John Galliano items on eBay are fake. A large percentage of these fake items are men's t-shirts, and most of the sellers selling them are from China (As I have said several times on this blog; there are some good sellers from China/Hong Kong who do sell authentic stuff, but most of the sellers form China are selling fakes). If a seller has a lot of the same style item listed in different sizes, it is cause for suspicion.

As always, it is good to remember that the starting bid price of an item on eBay has NO bearing on its authenticity. Most of the fake Galliano t-shirts are listed for $19-35. However, there are some sellers out there listing the fakes for $158. I guess they figure it's a more believable price, which means buyers get ripped off even harder.


The Good News: If you do take the time to sift through the Galliano listings on eBay you will come across the occasional authentic piece. This authentic stuff is often dirt cheap because the fakes are scaring the other bidders away. The other bidders don't want to sift through the loads of fakes to find the real stuff, and/or cannot tell what is fake and what is real. But, since you are armed with all this great Fake Hunter information you'll be able to weed-out the fakes and grab a bargain on the authentic stuff!!

JOHN GALLIANO - Shirts: Print Quality

The print quality is one of the best ways to check authenticity with these Galliano shirts. The fake prints have harsher colors, sharper edges, and less subtleties. The fake prints do range in quality but none of them are as good as you real things.

Example (click to enlarge):

The comparison photo above shows the fake and the authentic version of the same print. The difference in print quality is pretty apparent, especially with the head of the figure. You can also notice that a lot of the subtlety is lost in the fake (note the background colors and the black vs. gray skull). Lastly, the fake print stops short of the bottom of the shirt, whereas the authentic print goes all the way to the bottom.

Example (click to enlarge):

That first comparison was pretty easy, but this one is harder. You really have to look at the details of the print. As with the first comparison, the orientation of the print on the shirt is different.

Example (click to enlarge):

You have to zoom in to see the differences in the detailing. This photo of the fake is pretty grainy, but you can still make out most of the differences. The most noticeable differences are the lettering font and lack of detail in comparison to the authentic print.

Example (click to enlarge):

John Galliano makes authentic v-neck AND crew neck shirts, so, don't concern yourself with that detail in this example. What you should be looking at is the print quality, especially in the hair. This fake example is actually one of the better ones. There are some that are much worse, where the shadow of his nose is very dark, with very little subtlety in the print.

Example (click to enlarge):

Enlarge this example to see the differences in the hair. The authentic shirts have raised metallic gold paint in the hair. The fake ones just has printed yellow lines. The fake colors are also much more saturated, and often have a very orange tint to the flesh.

For more real v. fake Galliano T-shirt examples, click the "real v. fake photos" tab under the John Galliano drop-down menu. Or, click here.

DIOR HOMME - Shoes: CD Logos

Example (click to enlarge):

Most Dior Homme sneakers have an embossed "CD" (christian dior) logo on the back of the shoe. This, again, concerns quality. The logo should be deeply embossed with clean smooth edges.

DIOR HOMME - Shoes: Embossed Leather Logo

Example (click to enlarge):

Many of the Dior Homme sneaker styles have a "DIOR HOMME" logo embossed on a strip of leather going up the side of the shoe. Some don't, but the ones that do should look similar to the authentic example. It should be embossed and not sharply punched or cut in like on the fake pair. If you enlarge this photo you can get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

DIOR HOMME - Shoes: The Rubber Sole Logo

Dior Homme sneakers have a "DIOR HOMME" logo on the rubber sole, on the outer side of each shoe. Many of the fake logos are spelled out as one word; "DIORHOMME." The original shoes have a small space between the words.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above is an example of a fake logo with no space in comparison to the authentic logo with the space. You can also note the poor construction quality of the fake shoes in contrast to the real shoes. Oftentimes, the fakes have uneven stitching, poorly cut leather, and uneven rubber soles with rubber excess on the edges (as seen above).

Example (click to enlarge):

Here is a close up view. This fake shoe has the rubber indented around the logo. The authentic shoes should have the logo with no sign of stamping. Please keep in mind that there are a lot of fake Dior Homme shoes that have this logo done 'properly' so always check the other "points of interest" to determine authenticity. Although, if you do see this logo printed improperly it is a dead giveaway.

The FakeHunter Discussion Forum

If you have a question please post it in The FakeHunter Discussion Forum on Flickr. If you don't have a Flickr account, registration is quick, free, and easy. The link to the forum is to the right, under 'Resources.'

I created the discussion forum to act as a supplementary resource for this blog. It is a place to share information and ask questions. It will also serve as a place to post warnings about fakes being auctioned on eBay (or other online auction sites), and to discuss the blog or fashion in general (ie. new designers, places to shop, etc).

DIOR HOMME - Coats/Jackets: A Fake Napoleon Luster Jacket

I thought this deserved its own section. The real version of this jacket fetches between $3-6k on eBay. It is a beautiful piece of fashion history. Recently though, a fake popped up on eBay. It was kind of tricky because the seller used several pictures of an authentic jacket and then a few pics of the fake jacket. The item got a lot of bids and was breaking the $5,000 mark when eBay finally removed it at the last minute. The seller relisted it and the same thing happened again. eBay was only able to catch it because many members reported it. Luckily some bidder saved some serious cash by not winning it.

Example (click to enlarge):

To try and stop that from happening again; here are some photos of the fake jacket. I've included the runway photo for comparison purposes. In the comparison above you can see that the gold trimmed epaulette straps are much more rounded at the ends than the original. On the real jacket they form more of a "V" shape, not a "U" shape. The strap length is also reversed on the fake, the longer one being the inside strap, not the outside strap like the original.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

Examine the zippers and the 'fur' trim on the cuff and the epaulettes. The original jacket has short cut horsehair trim as opposed to the knock-off's longer fabric trim. The zippers on the knock-off are the rounded tear-drop style with the semi-circle hole, that only came into production a couple seasons ago (and this Napoleon jacket is from 2001). The zippers on the original jacket are rectangular with string pulls and small leather "Dior Homme" logos on the pulls.

Please be cautious when bidding on these jackets. The fake auctions often include some shots of a real jacket and then one or two of the fake jacket. To be safe, ask the seller to take a shot of the front of the jacket with a piece of paper with the seller's eBay name written on it. This ensures that the jacket pictured is the actual jacket for sale.

If you see a fake item on eBay please report it. There is a 'report this item' link at the bottom of each auction page. Helping some unaware bidder save his hard earned money, and cleaning up the fakes on eBay will be well worth the time.

DIOR HOMME - Coats/Jackets: The Paris Tag

The "Paris" tag is sewn into the collar of coats and jackets and suits. It is a silver loop with "Paris" embroidered on both sides. There is a thin black mesh loop that covers the silver loop.

Example (click to enlarge):

The tag should be about 1.5 inches long (4cm). In the example of the fake tag above we have several things wrong (other than the creepy thumbnail). This fake tag is a stubby little thing. The letters are also further apart and larger in scale than the authentic tag. The other thing that is off is that they are 'upside-down.' When the jacket is on a hanger and the tag is pointing down the "P" should be the closest to the collar seam. If you pull the tag up (so it is pointing towards the top of the hanger) and read the backside the "S" should be the closest to the collar seam. The fake tags often have this reversed, so it is a sure signal. However, I have heard from several people who have bought Dior jackets (that they swear are authentic from authorized retailers), that occasionally an authentic jacket will have a reversed Paris label. If this is true it seems to be a rare occurrence. Keep this in mind and use your best judgment.

Example (click to enlarge):

This is where that little piece of knowledge comes in handy. The fake on the left is a pretty good copy. If you click the image and enlarge it you can see the letters are a little shaky, but all-in-all it's fairly convincing. However, the tag is reversed. The tag is pointing down and the "P" is not the closest to the collar seam. Granted there may be exceptions to this rule for authentic jackets, but it is a good red flag because so many fakes do have it reversed. Upon closer inspection of the fake above you can see that the letters are too close together, the tag is too wide, and the writing is not centered on the tag.

Example (click to enlarge):

This example above is of another fairly accurate fake, but again, the fake letters are reversed and they are a little bolder and also closer together than the authentic one. The authentic Paris tag has a little more spacing between the letters than this fake example, but not as much spacing as the fake example below.

Example (click to enlarge):

This is a decent fake. The letters are going the right way, though it's not a very clear picture. Even so, you can see that the letters are spaced too far apart. It should appear as "PARIS" not "P A R I S"

Example (click to enlarge):

The fake above is kinda pathetic... I almost feel sorry for the little guy. However it does have one thing correct, the letters are going in the right direction. The tag is pointing up towards the collar and the "S" is the closest letter to the collar seam (if it were pointing down it should be reversed). This knock-off is also missing it's stylish mesh loop.

DIOR HOMME - General Info: Reference Numbers

Dior Homme has reference numbers printed inside most of its items. This number can be found on the fabric content label of the coats, jackets, suits, sweaters, and shirts. Most of (all of?) the jeans only have a reference number on the hang tag and not printed inside (at least none that I have ever found).

Example (click to enlarge):

In these examples you can see the location of the reference numbers (underlined in green). The picture on the left is of a fabric content label in a jacket. The picture on the right is the hang tag from a pair of jeans.

Most fake Dior Homme has reference numbers printed in them, but they are usually incorrect for the particular item. These numbers are codes that are specific to the item's style, production year, and season.

Example reference code: 5EH2022526, (which is for a blazer from the spring/summer '05 collection).

• '5' denotes the year it was made, in this case 2005 ('3' for 2003, '4' for 2004, etc).
  
• 'E' refers to the season/collection the piece is from. 'E' = Eté (Summer), or 'H' = Hiver (Winter).
• 'H' , the third character in the code, seems to refer to the specifics of the piece. I believe 'H' is for Homme, where as an 'F' would be for Femme which would be the limited petiet sizes Dior Homme has made for women. There is also sometimes a number instead of a letter for the third character, and this I believe may represent a pre-production or special order piece (but that's just a guess).
  
• '202' refers to the item group, in this case a blazer (Veste). If the number is in the 200's, ie. '202' on a blazer, I believe it denotes the material, '202' for super 200's wool vs. '102' for a blazer made with super 100's wool. Other examples: 101 = trousers (pantalon), 105 = shirts (Chemise), etc. There are many variations of these numbers for different seasons and pieces. You could probably write a book on them.
  
• '2526' deals with the cut/style of the piece.

Though it is often not labeled inside the garment there is an extended code on the hang tag. One example is: E47 B6A8

• 'E47' is the fabric code, which denotes the material used.
  
• 'B6A8', is the color code. In this case, 'B' refers to Bleu (blue).

If you are bidding on an online auction it's a good idea to learn what season and year the piece is from. Then, you can cross reference it with the number. The fakes are often marked with the wrong season and collection so keep an eye out. If you are not sure, do a little research. A simple Google search of the reference number may turn up some information. Men.style.com has a nice selection of runway photos from the last few years. And, if it is from a current or recently past collection, Diabro.net lists the reference number (item code) for every Dior piece it sells. You could also post a question on The Fake Hunter Discussion Forum and I or another member will try to help you.

DIOR HOMME - Coats/Jackets: Silver Logo Tags

Coats, Jackets, and Suits have this larger silver logo tag sewn inside the chest just below the inner pocket (if there is a pocket). The earlier Dior Homme collections (like Luster) had embossed Dior logo tags. Later they changed them to stitched embroidery.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above are two authentic examples of these tags. The one on the left is embroidered and the one on the right is the older embossed version.

The suit coat tags are approximately 2.5 inches wide by 1 inch tall. The tags that are sewn into outerwear (ie. overcoats, jackets, etc.) are approximately 3 inches long by 1.5 inches tall. The embroidered "D" is 5/16 of an inch tall. The embossed "D" is 1/4 on an inch tall.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above are two more authentic examples. The one on the left is from a wool overcoat. The one on the right is from a suit coat.

Example (click to enlarge):

Now we get to the fakes. The key to distinguishing these fake tags is in the proportions. The lettering of the fake tags is often larger than the authentic tags. The fake "D" is also usually more elongated. The authentic tags are stitched with a stitch in each corner, which is often omitted on the fakes.

Example (click to enlarge):

However, as you can see above there are some pretty good fake tags out there. The differences here are subtle but still present. You can still see the elongated "D" and the material of the tag is different. The authentic tags are printed on a very smooth silver material with very little texture. Although it is not part of the tag, the other giveaway in the fake shot is the stitching in the upper right and left of the photo. It is very cheaply done and not even.

If you are looking at an online auction for a Dior Homme item and there are no pictures of the tags or labels, request them. They are one of the surest ways to identify the authenticity. If the pictures are provided in the auction compare them to the real labels. Remember to keep an eye on those "D"s.

DIOR HOMME - Coats/Jackets: Fabric Content Tags

When shopping for Dior Homme online, the quality of the fabric, stitching, and construction are all very good indicators of authenticity. However, things can often look much better in the photos than in real life. A good back-up is to know a little about the tags and labels sewn inside the garment.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

The fabric content tags can offer a good amount of information regarding the piece's authenticity. The fake tags above are good examples. The authentic tags are made of a very smooth silver material with almost no texture. Many of the fake tags have a rougher surface (as seen above). The bad fakes also have frayed edges like the one above.

Another key is to note the fabric content. Sometimes the fake tags are mislabeled and give incorrect fabrics for the particular item. If you are looking at a wool over coat that is labeled as 100% polyester, you know something is wrong.

Example (click to enlarge):

Watch out for typos too. Occasionally a typo may occur on an authentic tag, but it won't be more than a slight misspelling. In the example of the fake above you'll notice that it says both "Fabrique en Turquie" (made in turkey) and "Made in Italy" below that. A substantial typo.

Example (click to enlarge):

Here are two examples (one fake, one real) of a similar style tag. The authentic fabric content tags do vary based on the collection and the item. There are many different variations so the key here lies in the texture, edges, and typos. This tag also contains the reference number which gives information about the year and season. If you have some idea what season the item should be from, check it against the reference number to make sure they correspond.

Example (click to enlarge):

This is another variation of an authentic fabric content tag. This one is from a suit coat from an earlier collection (Luster, a/w03).

For more information on reference numbers click the "reference number" tab in the Dior Homme drop-down menu to the right.

JOHN GALLIANO - Shoes: Real v. Fake Photos

Fake John Galliano shoes are starting to appear on eBay. Luckily, they are VERY easy to identify if you know what you're looking for.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above is a comparison photo of a fake v. real pair of Galliano sneakers. Set aside the color combos for these examples because these Galliano shoes were produced in a variety of different colors, including red and white. Also, please note that although the shoes in the authentic example are canvas there were patent leather and canvas versions produced. One of the major differences is the logo on the bottom of the sole. The fake logo is much smaller and it is slightly stubby, wider, and more cut off than the actual logo.

Example (click to enlarge):

Inside the fake logo is very cheaply printed. You can also see how thin the 'leather' and padding are on the fake shoe.

Example (click to enlarge):

...and the differences continue with the lacing structure.

Example (click to enlarge):

Notice anything different about these boxes?
Yes, the authentic Galliano shoe boxes have the detailed Gazette newsprint all over them. The counterfeiters decided to save the printing costs and opt with the black on white style.

All in all, the Galliano shoes that are spewing out of China are pretty bad copies. This is a case where it is really good to be familiar with the product you are buying. If you know what you're looking for you won't get tricked by highly inferior knock-offs.

DIOR HOMME - Coats/Jackets: Stitching and Material

No matter how well the counterfeiters copy the designs they will never been on par with the tailoring. The stitching and the material are both important things to look for when shopping online. True, you cannot actually touch it but you can see how the material lays, and if it bunches or puckers.

Dior Homme is all about the tailoring, so if you see something that looks like it fell off the shelf at WalMart, skip it.

The stitching should be straight and even, with no flaws.