DSQUARED - Denim: Logo Labels

Dsquared jeans have a black rectangular fabric tag sewn inside the waistband. The label should be sewn on the wearer's left side of the waistband (the right side if you're looking at the jeans straight-on). These tags are not sewn in the center of the back like many other brands. This tag measures 2.25 inches long and just a hair over half an inch tall. The fake versions of these labels vary a bit in size and shape and are often sewn in the center of the back of the waistband.

Example (click to enlarge):

In the example above there are two key distinguishing factors between the real label and the fake label. The first is the stitching around the edges. The stitching should be straight and parallel to the edges of the fabric. As you can see in the fake, the stitching is further from the edge than it is in the authentic label. The second thing to note is the size of the text in relation to the label. In this example the fake text is larger.

Example (click to enlarge):

This one is pretty obvious. Not only is the stitching crooked, but the label is cut crooked, the letters are too large, they are located up a little too high, and the label is the wrong proportions (too short). Furthermore, if you look closely you can see that on the fabric content tag of the fake jeans it reads: "Made in Hong Kong." Well, I don't think I have to tell you that authentic Dsquared jeans are not made in Hong Kong.

These fake labels range in quality so keep an eye out.

JOHN GALLIANO - Denim: Real v. Fake Comparison

John Galliano jeans vary in style and cut, and this is a comparison example of one such style. The most noticeable difference between the fake pair and the authentic pair is the location of the Galliano logo patch. This logo patch should be located either on the font of the thigh or the side of the jean (as pictured), but never on the back of the leg as seen in the fake example.

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

The authentic patches have some variations as well. Some are a smooth leather material and some are a textured suede material. However, the fake patch in this example is too wide and the logo is too large in comparison to the authentic patch. Furthermore you can see the stitching swerves a little along the top of the fake patch. The straightness of the stitching is always a key to authenticating an item. The quality of the stitching speaks to the skill of the people who created it. Most fakes are made in sweatshops by underpaid and under-skilled laborers.

JOHN GALLIANO - Denim: Rubber Logo Tags

DIOR HOMME - Denim: Details

The fakes usually give themselves away in the detailing. Buttons, zippers, stitching, etc. are all good things to be familiar with. If you are unsure about an item's authenticity on an online auction site, like eBay or yahoo auctions, ask the seller for detailed pictures so that you can examine the stitching and so on.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above, in the first example you can see the poor stitching quality, common in counterfeit denim. I threw the second picture in there because there have been a few of these jeans sold on eBay with the embroidered bee logo on the pocket. Dior Homme has never produced jeans with the embroidered bee logo (only some dress pants, and shirts, sweaters, etc.). If you know a little about the brand and have never seen a particular style before, do a little research. You can also check the bogus counterfeit section for examples of fake Dior Homme in styles that Dior Homme has never made (some are pretty funny). Ask the seller what collection it is from and check it out. Style.com has a good selection of runway shows of the past several years. Also you can post a question in The Fake Hunter Discussion Forum and I or another member will get back to you. It may start a helpful discussion.

Example (click to enlarge):

Case in point. Above is an example of a bogus design. Dior Homme never made jeans with stripes on the back. All Dior Homme jeans have the signature darts (aka 'scars') on the back.

Example (click to enlarge):

The counterfeiters just go crazy with those logos don't they? Yes, they even put them on the rivets too. Although many designer jeans have logos on the rivets and buttons (ie. Dsquared, Galliano, etc.), Dior Homme does not. When Hedi Slimane took over he redirected Dior as a brand focused solely on the tailoring, not logos. Instead, Slimane used signature design featuers such as the embroidered bee, the darts, the claw mark on some jeans, and so on.

DIOR HOMME - Denim: Tags and Labels

The silver fabric content/ care tag is sewn into the inside side seam of Dior Homme jeans. These tags do vary based on the type of jean, the collection it is from, etc. However, there are some significant differences between the fake labels and the authentic ones.

Example (click to enlarge):

Above are three examples of authentic fabric content tags from Dior Homme jeans. You will note that there can be differences in the text and type face. The care instructions vary based on the type of jean. The first pic is from a pair of the velvet jeans, the second is the oil coated raw denim, and the third is the Strip waxed denim. Dior Homme makes jeans in Italy and Japan.

Example (click to enlarge):

In the above comparison picture there are two tags; the left is a fake and the right is authentic. This is an example of a pretty good fake. With the exception of the missing "made in Italy," it is hard to tell the difference. Lesson here: Just because it looks real doesn't mean it is. Check the other tags and labels before deciding. It just so happens that this convincing label comes from a horribly distressed pair of fake jeans with "dior homme" engraved buttons (the authentic jeans never have the engraved buttons - only a couple of jean jackets ever did ).

Example (click to enlarge):

This is the other side of the tag which has the fabric content and the washing symbols. If you start to look at enough of these tags you will notice which style symbol appears on the authentic tags and which appears on the fakes. For example, the fakes often have an elongated wash tub who's sides are more vertical that the real symbols. The other dead giveaway in this is the extremely long size tag. The size tag in jeans is never this long and usually in the waistband, not by the fabric content label.

DIOR HOMME - Denim: The Leather Tags

The leather logo tag is sewn into the inside of the waistband at the back (The F/W 07 collection now uses a different tag though). This leather tag should have squared corners and the stitching should be even with the sides. Furthermore all the letters in the logo should be even.

Example (click to enlarge):

The above fake example shows the "D" is slightly higher than the rest of the logo. All of the letters should be perfectly aligned.

Example (click to enlarge):

The above examples of fakes I have provided are of pretty decent copies, though you can see the sloppy printing of the silver logo (especially in the second fake example). The authentic printed logos can wear off with washing and wear, but they are not printed sloppily. Furthermore, some fake Dior Homme jeans have leather tags with very rounded corners (see the example below). The corners should always be squared (or slightly bent if worn).

Example (click to enlarge):

Example (click to enlarge):

This is a decent looking fake but the stitching is crooked. The black stitching around the edges of the black leather tag is always aligned with the edges. Furthermore, the stitching at the top of the tag is usually the color of the stitching in the jeans.