JOHN GALLIANO - Shirts: Fabric Content Labels

Galliano's men's line is not produced by Ittierre Spa. To the best of my knoledge it has only ever been made by Gibo' Co. Spa., who's tags usually look like the example on the right. Some of the auctions on eBay for fake men's Galliano clothing have pictures of Ittierre Spa. labels. Why? Ittierre does produce women's prêt-à-porter. You'd think the counterfeiters would at least try to get their labels correct. They probably just had a surplus of these fake Ittierre labels laying around the factory and decided to put them to good use.

Example (click to enlarge):
Example (click to enlarge):

Some of the fakes do have the the proper style label but the labels are still different from the authentic ones। In this example the print quality of the fake text is poor. The letters are very bold, as if the printer was laying on too much ink and the spacing and formatting of the text is a bit off. This fake does not have "Gibo Co Spa" printed on it (which is the production company of authentic men's Galliano). Some of the authentic labels are missing this too (such as the first example above) and I believe it is because they didn't print it on the labels of pieces from earlier collections, but I'm not sure.

DIOR HOMME - Shirts: Size Tags

If you ever see the size tag connected to the silver Dior Homme logo tag, it's a fake. The authentic size tags are sewn either in the collar (not connected to the logo tag) or in the side seam with the fabric content label.

Example (click to enlarge):

Some (but not all) of the fake Dior Homme t-shirts have the size tag attached to the silver logo tag. T-shirts are a little harder to authenticate than jackets and other items with more details. The simpler the item, the easier it is to fake. This is why it is important to pay close attention to the tags and labels, as well as the 'Hunting Basics.'

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: 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):

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.

DIOR HOMME - Shirts: Logo Tags

These silver logo tags are sewn into the collars on t-shirts, button-front shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts. The ends should be folded under, not frayed or cut.

Example (click to enlarge):

The thickness and size of the lettering is the key to distinguishing the real from the fakes. It takes a close look but if you compare the examples above you will note the differences. The fake "D" is thicker and the tag itself is a little shorter.

Example (click to enlarge):

I included the fake examples above because the first picture has black stitching and the second pictures has "homme" on the tag. The silver dior logo tags are always stitched with silver thread (never black). Also, the word "homme" is never spelled out on the silver logo tag (only on the fabric composition tag sewn inside the shirt seam.

Example (click to enlarge):

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.

Reconizing Fake Labels

One of the best ways to distinguish a fake item online is by the labels and tags. The tricky thing about spotting fakes online is that you cannot touch and examine the item. Most people would be able to tell which is fake by simply feeling the difference in the quality of the fabric and seeing the quality of the stitching and details. Since we do not have that luxury online the key is in spotting the details in the photos. Fake tags and labels vary in degrees of replication. Some fakes have downright bogus tags whereas others have pretty well copied tags. If you cannot see the tags clearly in the photos you should ask the seller for better pictures with some closeup shots of the tag. Most sellers on sites like yahoo auctions and eBay know to do this if they are selling authentic items. But, don't be afraid to ask. They are trying to get your business, and they need to work for it.

Becoming familiar with the size, font, and proportions of the brand's labels is crucial. Brands rarely change their tags and when they do it is usually major. For detailed information on specific brands please click on the 'Hunting Specifics' drop-down menu to the right.