OMG!!! Check out this Louis Vuitton trash / bin bag! It looks authentic from afar, but look closely and you will see the lettering is all wrong. A good way to fool people that you are dripping in head to toe with Louis Vuitton goods!
Nearly fooled you!
(Source: http://mrsgrapevine.com/2007/10/louis-vuitton-trash-bags-is-a-must/)
Say NO! to fake designer goods!
Oooh its the big one! How on earth do you tell fake from real on eBay? It really bugs me when i see loads and loads of so-called “authentic” items in the listings when i know in my heart of hearts that they are anything but authentic, genuine items.
Here’s a tip i learnt. Some sellers think they can get away with putting “authentic” on their listing, like it is an authentic designer piece, but that could also mean it is “authentic from China” etc. Authentic is a bit of a gray area these days. So, some sellers have indeed picked up on this, and they will often list the item as “GENUINE” which is a good indication – well a better one, anyway – that it may well just be real.
I feel sorry for eBay in many ways with this whole fake scandal. Not long ago, they were ordered to pay an astronomical amount to top fashion houses. According to the judgement, eBay ended up paying 19.28m euros in damages to Louis Vuitton Malletier, 17.3m to Christian Dior Couture and 3.25m to the perfume brands. (Source: BBC)
The thing is, with eBay, it is such a worldwide user-friendly platform, that how is it possible to control the dodgy dealings that go on? I mean, when you list an item you are asked to adhere to the terms and conditions and state that the item you are listing is authentic. However, people will just abuse this and carry on listing anyway. Who is going to refrain from making some money just because they think their item is fake?
I also feel sorry for those that have been caught out buying so- called designer goods on eBay, only to find they are fake designer items. My friend bought a Louis Vuitton handbag and paid £75. She thought it was genuine because it came with a controllato card and a Louis Vuitton dustbag, but when she took it to the shop to get it authenticated, she found out the truth. The thing is, if the price is too good to be true, then it probably is. You might think that £75 is a lot for a handbag – which it is – but any Louis Vuitton fans will know that it is a snip at that price and can’t possibly be real. You go into the Louis Vuitton store and try and get a bag for £75! No such luck I’m afraid guys, so why would you think you could get one on eBay.
When it comes to eBay and designer clothes, always check the seller’s feedback to see what other buyers have said. Another good tip is to check if they are selling multiple items of the same designer goods. 35 Fendi scarves sold in the last month? Hmm, my instincts say steer clear – fake items are bought in bulk and it is always a tell-tale sign if they are shifting a load on eBay.
At the end of the day, if you are wanting real designer clothes on eBay, then the best bet is to check if the item comes with a receipt. This will usually show an honest seller who is only too aware of the counterfeit market, and also shows that someone does not want to be a part of it.
It is becoming increasingly hard to distinguish real items from fake items on eBay, but the tips above should help a little bit. Unsure of an item’s authenticity? Leave a comment and i will try and help out.
A VERY fake Louis Vuitton Bag
(Image source: http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/2008/06/pick_of_the_blo_65.html)
Okay, so when i saw that picture of Coleen Rooney in that stunning Lanvin ruffle top, i thought “wow – this is hot!”.
Lanvin is a clothing company founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1909.
Jeanne Lanvin’s successors include Antonio del Castillo, Dominique Morlotti, Jules-Francois Crahay, Maryll Lanvin, Claude Montana and Patrick Lavoix. Their work has successfully immortalised a very Parisian, elegant couture style. (Source: http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/jeannelanvin.html)
Today, Lanvin’s designs are chic and elegant. It is almost hard to believe that a once velour tracksuit loving chav like Coleen Rooney has managed to turn this all around and become a force to be reckoned with in the fashionista stakes. When i saw her wearing that lush burnt orange Lanvin ruffle top, i thought it looked stunning on her tanned complexion.
Coleen Rooney in Lanvin
(Image source: http://www.kickette.com/index.php?/site/C7/P30/)
The same top in a different colour also appeared on fellow WAG Alex Curran (now Gerard). So which WAG pulled it off better? Well, personally, i think Coleen did. However, normally i would say Alex is better dressed.
Alex Curran (Gerard) in Lanvin
And celebrities in Lanvin doesn’t stop here my fashionista friends! Kate Hudson was also pictured in a gorgeous blue Lanvin dress. Was it the right colour for her? Well, many will say yes, but i think it was a little too heavy on her pale skin. A lighter blue would have looked much less “bulky” on her. Still a gorgeous dress though!
Kate Hudson in Lanvin Dress
Check out this great blog for more blue coloured fashion advice! http://thetrendsetter.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/color-watch-electric-blue/
As for my favourite Lanvin piece, i think Natalie Portman has found it! This season, purple is the hottest colour to be seen in and she looks simply stunning in this unusual Lanvin creation.
Natalie Portman in Lanvin
(Image Source: http://www.elleuk.com/starstyle/celebrity-trends/everyone-s-wearing-purple)
Now take part in my poll!
