RICK OWENS - Shoes: ss08 Creatch Hi-Tops

On the 'most wanted' list of many guys this year are these leather hi-tops from Rick Owens' spring/summer 2008 collection. However, the $1,200+ price tag can be a little hard on the wallet, so, a lot of guys turn to eBay and other online sources in search of a bargain. Because Rick Owens is more of a niche label, unknown to the average Joe on the street, people often assume it isn't faked. Well, there are knock-offs of just about every label out there, and the more underground the label, the more money the counterfeiters can get for the fakes, simply because people assume they're real.

Example (click to enlarge):

They don't look bad at a glance but the fakes are, of course, poor quality and not worth the $200-600 they sell for. The real ones should last you a lifetime. In this first photo you can see the difference in the sole, the shape of the toe, and the shape and distance between the stripes. Also, note that the authentic shoe has thinner laces.

Example (click to enlarge):

Here is a close-up of the toe. You can see how the rubber part of the sole is molded differently. The cap of the toe on the fake recedes farther back than the authentic one.

Example (click to enlarge):

This detail shot of the side illustrates the difference in the quality of the stitching. Note how some of the fake's stitches are different sizes, and how they don't follow the curve of the leather very well. You can also see how the stitched rectangle is more squared and shifted on the fake shoe. There are also variances in the shape and proportions of the leather pieces throughout the shoe.

Example (click to enlarge):

The authentic kicks have a silver zipper vs. this fakes' copper colored zipper. The zipper itself is also a different shape. The real one is a bit longer and skinnier. The size should be printed on the leather flap inside the zipper (in this case they are a euro size 42).

Example (click to enlarge):

There are different varieties of fakes out there, the one above does have a silver zipper but it doesn't have the correct toggle. The fakes tend to use cheap hardware (such as generic zippers). Sometimes they mold their own but it is usually a very poor casting. In this comparison you can see the difference in the shape of the toggle better.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):
This is the patch on the back side of the tongue. Compare the width of the patch to the black tab above it in the first set. The real tab is wider than the patch. However, some fakes are correctly proportioned, as demonstrated in the second set. In both examples the stitching across the black tab varies from the original.

Example (click to enlarge):

Last, but not least, the insole. Notice a difference? Yeah, you guessed it, they didn't bother to stamp the Rick Owens logo in these fakes, which makes it a little easier to export them without alerting customs agents. The real ones also have a serrated edge along part of the insole.

As with all knock-offs remember that the fakes can vary, and there may be more than one factory/company producing the knock-offs. As a result some fakes may look more real than others. Use your best judgment and follow my 'hunting basics.'

GUCCI - Shoes: Tennis Shoes

This white leather sneaker is one of Gucci's most popular styles, and naturally, one of the most often faked. Below are several real vs. fake comparison photos of this style shoe. eBay is flooded with the fake versions so pay close attention to the details. Keep in mind that there are many different fake versions of this style out there so make sure ALL of the details match the authentic examples because different fakes have different errors in the styling.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

Above are two different comparison photos, with two different fakes. The top fake is a bit more accurate than the bottom one, but they're both easy to distinguish as fake. The bottom fake is missing some stitching/padding on the side and has a different sole. However both of these fakes have many things wrong with them. The fake eyelets are metal instead of the white painted metal as seen on the authentic pair. The red and green stripe should not have any stitching on it and both of these fake examples have white stitching. This red and green stripe should be made out of woven nylon. The fake stripes tend to be wider than the authentic one..

Example (click to enlarge):

The back of the heel on these Gucci shoes comes up quite high, and most of the fakes out there don't come up as far. Above are two different fake variations.

Example (click to enlarge):

The back of the heel is covered in a green alligator/crocodile embossed leather. In the fake example above the patch is wider and the material features a different scale pattern and coloring than the original. Also note that the authentic version is stitched around the rubber sole and this fake is not. Some fakes are stitched around the sole but with much larger stitches (like one stitch for every three on the authentic pair).

Example (click to enlarge):

The inside of these shoes is made of white leather (not brown like the above fake) and there is an embossed 'GUCCI made in italy' logo inside. In this style shoe the logo is only embossed and not printed.

Example (click to enlarge):

Here is another knock-off variation of the logo. Also note the difference in the size of the lettering and the spacing.

Example (click to enlarge):

A lot of these fakes can also be spotted by the shoe bags that are often included in the auctions. The authentic shoe comes with a dark satin brown GG print shoe bag.

Example (click to enlarge):

Also get to know what an authentic Gucci shoe box looks like. There are many fake examples on eBay (one of which is pictured above). The real box has slightly raised metallic lettering that runs parallel with the shorter side of the box. However, keep in mind that just because a box or a shoe bag may be real, it never guarantees that the shoes are also real. Always carefully inspect the pictures of the actual product, not just the boxes, tags, etc.

DSQUARED - Shoes: Real v. Fake Comparison Photos

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: 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.

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.