Louis Vuitton handbags are the ultimate symbol of luxury and high fashion. The famous interlaced VL monogram is a must-have for every woman who wants to be seen as stylish and well-groomed. Seen tucked under the arms of famous women worldwide including Audrey Hepburn and Steffi Graf, an LV handbag is more than just a handbag, it's a status symbol.
The Louis Vuitton Company is an old and respected name in French luxury goods. Started by Louis Vuitton in 1854, it is now an international brand with an extensive range of products including designer apparel, shoes and accessories. Louis Vuitton handbags are a subsidiary of the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
There are many popular Louis Vuitton handbags which are distinctive for their quality and style. The Noe bag, introduced in 1932 was initially designed for champagne wine-makers to transport their bottles. This black and beige drawstring bag became highly popular and is being manufactured even today. The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag was introduced soon after that. The Monogram Vernis collection of patent calfskin bags with the LV monogram was created by designer Marc Jacobs in 1998.
With such a history and brand value it's no wonder that the market is flooded with counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbags. In fact just over 1% of goods bearing the famous insignia are genuine. LVMH is going all out to prevent counterfeiting, with a special team working to prevent the production and sale of fake LV goods. In an effort to minimize counterfeiting, distribution is closely controlled. You can get genuine Louis Vuitton handbags only at select up-market outlets and Louis Vuitton boutiques.
How do you tell the real stuff from the fake? With so many counterfeit brands in the market, it can be difficult for the shopper to make out the genuineness of an article. Here are some tips to help make sure that the Louis Vuitton handbag you're splurging the year's savings on is the real thing:
1. Like all good things, these handbags do not come cheap. Prices start from $120 and can even cross $800 on the online market. Unless of course you're buying a second hand one.
2. Buy from a Louis Vuitton exclusive boutique. That's the only 100% guarantee for a genuine product.
3. If there's no Louis Vuitton boutique in your area, and you have no option but to shop online, go straight to the authorized online retailers. Louis Vuitton has authorized eLuxury.com to market some of its products on the internet.
4. If you see a factory rejects outlet for Louis Vuitton handbags or a handbag sale, keep away. Louis Vuitton does not sell rejects, nor do they have sales.
5. Another tip to help spot fakes is to check the seams. A genuine designer bag will be made of a single piece of leather, so one side will have an inside-out seam.
Carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag is sure to get you more than your usual share of envious glances. You wouldn't want to be seen sporting a fake one. So before you go ahead and buy that tote bag with the LV monogram, make sure it's the real thing.
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