I was just perusing your sight and found it very informative.  I have a Prada bag that I picked up in a thrift store.  I was reading your guidelines as to authenticity and have some questions.  I’m going to attach a photo if you don’t mind.  This bag seems to have all the points of a true Prada except the lining which seems of high quality but does not have Prada written inside anywhere.  Also, there is a tag on the lining that says “made in China”.  Of course I paid very little money for this bag so I won’t feel slighted if it is a fake, but it would be great to know.  It is nylon with leather trim.  Also, I don’t live anywhere near a Prada store so I don’t know where I could take it for verification. Thanks if advance if you can help.
Toni

eStyleBlog Response

Hi Toni
A few items of note. First, it would be helpful if you gave me a style number. Does it have an authenticity card? If so, the style number will be on the card. Second, it would be helpful if you took a shot of the inside of the bag. Not only so I could see the lining but also there should be another Prada plaque (rectangular) on the inside. This plaque should be the color of the lining.
The Made in China tag certainly is unusual. Even though its possible, even probable, that parts of authentic Prada bags are made in other countries besides Italy, any tag should say “Made in Italy”. The triangular Prada logo on the front, when on bags that are a different color than black, are usually the color of the bag. I withhold absolute judgement about this logo because I’ve not seen Prada bags in this specific color before. Because the leather trim is brown it would be very unusual in my opinion for the logo to be black.
My guess, and its only a guess from what you’ve told me and the picture, this bag is not authentic.

Last christmas, I bought my mom a PRADA handbag from Rafaello Network.  I read your authenticity guide and everything was there except the label stitched inside the dust bag saying: PRADA COTTON MADE IN ITALY.  Inside the dustbag, the stitched label says: 100% COTTON and that is all. Does this affect the authenticity of the handbag?
Melvin

eStyleBlog Response

Hi Melvin
No, the fact that the dust bag does not say ‘Prada Cotton Made in Italy’ does not mean the bag is not authentic. Designers get their dust bags from third party manufacturers (different from the factories that make the bags). And, they change companies from time to time. The dust bag should be the same style dust bag as what Prada usually sends out but it does not have to have the exact same tag in the interior.
The fact that your wifes bag meets all the other characteristics is indication of an authentic Prada bag.

From everything I’ve read, it appears the Fendi Baguette (#8BR000) does not include the Fendi Authenticity tag, style tag and hologram. Is this true? And if so, are there any exceptions?
Ellen

eStyleBlog Response

Hi Ellen
The 8BR000 is no different than any other Fendi bag. There should be a leather tag sewn into the interior lining with an embossed serial numer, and a hologram adhered to a fabric tag. If retailers do not list the fact that these exist on their Fendi’s it doesn’t mean they don’t. It is very common knowledge that Fendi has these identification markings and perhaps the retailers did not consider it imperative to list it in their descriptions.

I found your information on the authenticity of fendi bags really useful. I recently bought a Fendi baguette from ebay. It looks like a fake to me-it doesn’t have an identification number on the bag anywhere. The seller said that it doesn’t have a number because its over 10 years old, and Fendi didn’t use authenticity numbers 10 years ago. I find this hard to believe. Do you know if this is true? I’d be really grateful for any information.
Many thanks
Tracey

eStyleBlog Response

Hi Tracey
The key here is that you think it looks like a fake. If you fell it is fake you’ll never be comfortable carrying it. We can’t tell you definitively one way or another if Fendi used authenticity numbers ten years ago.

I had a few more questions about the Fendi Authenticity information you’ve provided on your site.  One is that the hologram that is on the opposite side of the Fabric tag, is this a sticker tag (removable) or a sewn in tag?  Secondly, on the interior leather tag, does the engraved number need to be exactly the same as the number on the Fendi authenticity/controllato card?  If not, does it need just the style number along with other numbers?  Your site and information are superb….Thanks for your information… it is so helpful.
Mary Ann

eStyleBlog Response

Hi Mary Ann
The hologram is a stickered tag if you will. More specifically, “a hologram with a sticky backing that adheres to the fabric tag that is sewn into the lining”. It is removable only in that it can come off, but is not meant to, of course.

The numbers on the leather tag should include the style number but I can’t say with complete certainty that it is ‘exactly’ the number on the Fendi authenticity card or not.

One of our customers at eStyleSense.com happens to be a good friend as well. She purchased a gorgeous leather Spy Bag from us back in March of this year. She told us she has used the bag everyday since and because she has a one year old, it has served as a diaper bag at times.

Recently, she was busy with things that Moms must do and the baby took a bottle of water and poured it inside the Spy Bag. No big deal except for the fact that there was an opened container of cherry cough drops inside that immediately became gooey and sticky from the water. It created quite a mess and our customer was afraid nothing could be done to make the bag usable again.

She let us know of the situation and I got her to bring the bag to me. After about 10 minutes using a white cotton towel and water, I was able to bring the Zucca Jacquard lining back to near new again. And the outside of the bag, even the bottom where the water no doubt settled, doesn’t have a mark or stain on it.

Three cheers for quality and paying for it. A lesser bag would have had to be tossed.

For the first time in the United States online shoppers can now purchase the gorgeous Flavio Olivera boot line. Flavio Olivera boots are exquisitely constructed with Italian calf leather, and are styled to receive attention.

The Lana and Lori styles are flat out sexy and hot. The Lana has a studded detail throughout the boot with a strap and buckle at the top of the foot. The Lori has a very unique diagonal pattern that gives a long and slender look. The Liz style is an ankle version of the Lori that looks incredible with jeans or dressier pants.

The Lea and Lara styles have an NYC urban chic and offer a much shorter heel for more serious walking.

To view the entire line visit www.eStyleSense.com/Flavio-Olivera-Boots.

I have been searching for a Prada tote made with the corda fabric. I noticed that you had one on your site but it isn’t big (wide) enough. Do you know where I can find one, or will you have others coming in for the holidays? Susan in Denver

eStyleBlog response

Hi Susan

Your email came and we really didn’t have an answer for you until we got word that a brand new Prada tote is making it’s way to our warehouse. The 3055B looks to be a beautiful bag and is larger than the other Prada tote made with the corda fabric. Get details including pricing here.

If you thought the “Big Bag” era was ending we’re very sorry. It seems the “Big Bag” era not only won’t end but it will thrive with even bigger bags. And those bags will most likely be metallic all the way through the fall season. Listen to what the fashion gurus said at Fashion Week in NYC on You Tube. Did someone in there say, “Marc Jacobs Quilted?”

Our friends at Tucker Paisley, Tracy Fredkin and Doug NeJaime, have launched their own blog at Tucker Paisley. They’re doing a great job of keeping folks up to date on the spread of TP throughout the country and the globe. More celebs are being seen with TP bags every day. See the latest at TP Blog Celebrities.Also, for the single ladies out there who live in and around Los Angeles, Tucker Paisley is going to give one of you the chance to win a Tucker Paisley Tote and have a date with a eligible bachelor in LA. For details visit TP Blog Bachelor Contest.