Authenticate This Botkier

[5thelement]

Hi, I've always been a Prada girl, but Botkier has been catching my eye lately, particularly the older collections. I've thus been looking for a Botkier Crosby North South Satchel and just won what I believe is the Crosby NS satchel off eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mint-condition-Dark-brown-Botkier-satchel-tote-bag-/261162941823) but I'm concerned about a few things:

1) I was under the impression that all Botkier Crosbys have a suede lining, but this one has a cloth lining (but leather interior pocket). Did I miss something?

2) I've seen various versions where the pocket has the long tassel and the main compartment the short tassel, and vice versa. However, looking at a blog post on Botkier's website about the Crosby, the tassel on the pocket on mine seems much longer. Were there different lengths/styles?

3) The seller listed this as preowned, in "mint" condition. The inside is somewhat hairy, there are scratches on the leather (probably somewhat hard to see in the pics but they're there), and the thread on one of the handles is unraveled. Is the (goat?) leather meant to look like that or am I being too picky with the notion of "mint" condition?

I would really appreciate some help authenticating this and any other thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

[uadjit]

Hi, I've always been a Prada girl, but Botkier has been catching my eye lately, particularly the older collections. I've thus been looking for a Botkier Crosby North South Satchel and just won what I believe is the Crosby NS satchel off eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mint-condition-Dark-brown-Botkier-satchel-tote-bag-/261162941823) but I'm concerned about a few things:

1) I was under the impression that all Botkier Crosbys have a suede lining, but this one has a cloth lining (but leather interior pocket). Did I miss something?

2) I've seen various versions where the pocket has the long tassel and the main compartment the short tassel, and vice versa. However, looking at a blog post on Botkier's website about the Crosby, the tassel on the pocket on mine seems much longer. Were there different lengths/styles?

3) The seller listed this as preowned, in "mint" condition. The inside is somewhat hairy, there are scratches on the leather (probably somewhat hard to see in the pics but they're there), and the thread on one of the handles is unraveled. Is the (goat?) leather meant to look like that or am I being too picky with the notion of "mint" condition?

I would really appreciate some help authenticating this and any other thoughts. Thanks in advance.

I'm not really sure what your question is but the bag is authentic. I think the tassel is probably original.

Yes, goat leather is highly grained and textured. That's one of the reasons Balenciaga collectors prize it so highly. It is also less durable and more easily scratched than other leathers, unfortunately.

As far as the condition goes, I don't know what "mint" is supposed to mean, either since the bag is not vintage; it's from 2007 or so. That said, since the description was less than 20 words you probably should have asked for some clarification before you purchased it. Judging by the pictures I'd probably call it "Very good used condition" since it does have notable wear. Then again, like I said, it's a used bag from 2007 so I would expect that. They should have cleaned out the hair, though.

What it comes down to is that you paid a fair price for the bag in the condition it's in, IMHO.

 

[5thelement]

I'm not really sure what your question is but the bag is authentic. I think the tassel is probably original.

Yes, goat leather is highly grained and textured. That's one of the reasons Balenciaga collectors prize it so highly. It is also less durable and more easily scratched than other leathers, unfortunately.

As far as the condition goes, I don't know what "mint" is supposed to mean, either since the bag is not vintage; it's from 2007 or so. That said, since the description was less than 20 words you probably should have asked for some clarification before you purchased it. Judging by the pictures I'd probably call it "Very good used condition" since it does have notable wear. Then again, like I said, it's a used bag from 2007 so I would expect that. They should have cleaned out the hair, though.

What it comes down to is that you paid a fair price for the bag in the condition it's in, IMHO.

Mostly I just wanted to know if it was authentic given #1 & #2 in my original post. Thank you for the confirmation.

 

[uadjit]

Mostly I just wanted to know if it was authentic given #1 & #2 in my original post. Thank you for the confirmation.

OK. Yes, I think it is authentic and the condition is used but not terrible. it looks like a nice bag to me.

 

[etzatdebz]

Trying to find out if this Botkier is authentic

 

[uadjit]

Trying to find out if this Botkier is authentic

Hi. I answered your request on the eBay shoes/bags forum. I think your Trigger is probably OK. I would really like to see the "botkier" engraving on the base of the dog leash clasp on the bottom, though.

 

[etzatdebz]

Hi. I answered your request on the eBay shoes/bags forum. I think your Trigger is probably OK. I would really like to see the "botkier" engraving on the base of the dog leash clasp on the bottom, though.

Hello, I just added some other pics to ebay and included the dog leash clasp. That is the only place that don't have the name Botkier. Does that mean that it is a fake. I sure hope not. Everything else seems to match the different variations of the bag. I only paid $3.00 at a thrift shop so i'm not out much. Just would be disappointed. Thank you for your help at ebay and here.

 

[etzatdebz]

Hello, I just added some other pics to ebay and included the dog leash clasp. That is the only place that don't have the name Botkier. Does that mean that it is a fake. I sure hope not. Everything else seems to match the different variations of the bag. I only paid $3.00 at a thrift shop so i'm not out much. Just would be disappointed. Thank you for your help at ebay and here.

Here is the pic of the dog clasp.

 

[uadjit]

Here is the pic of the dog clasp.

Hrm. I am sorry but I'm just not sure. My inclination is that it's OK because the leather tagging is consistent and the variation you have with raised studs on the handles wouldn't be the first choice for counterfeiters. Also, Botkier did make bags in Indonesia around the time those came out. I'd expect counterfeit bags to be made in China.

That said, fake Trigger bags are VERY good fakes. They have all of the hallmarks like signature lining, embossed tags, good quality nameplates. The easiest way to tell them from the real thing is to feel and smell them and I obviously can't do either with your bag.

I ran across a fake bag in nearly the same color you have there once. It smelled like funky chemicals - formaldehydish. Real Triggers smell yummy like leather. The fake ones feel dry and stiff.

So, I can't be sure. You could try posting in the Official Botkier thread. They have actually helped someone authenticate their bag before though I'm not sure they check it that often.

Sorry, I couldn't give you a definitive answer.

 

[etzatdebz]

Hrm. I am sorry but I'm just not sure. My inclination is that it's OK because the leather tagging is consistent and the variation you have with raised studs on the handles wouldn't be the first choice for counterfeiters. Also, Botkier did make bags in Indonesia around the time those came out. I'd expect counterfeit bags to be made in China.

That said, fake Trigger bags are VERY good fakes. They have all of the hallmarks like signature lining, embossed tags, good quality nameplates. The easiest way to tell them from the real thing is to feel and smell them and I obviously can't do either with your bag.

I ran across a fake bag in nearly the same color you have there once. It smelled like funky chemicals - formaldehydish. Real Triggers smell yummy like leather. The fake ones feel dry and stiff.

So, I can't be sure. You could try posting in the Official Botkier thread. They have actually helped someone authenticate their bag before though I'm not sure they check it that often.

Sorry, I couldn't give you a definitive answer.

Thank you very much for checking. The bag does feel like very soft leather to me. I don't smell anything chemical-like. So hopefully my bag is the real deal. I've had it for a while but just decided to check it out. I did see that other trigger bags had the clasp inscribed with Botkier. That seemed to be the only downfall to me because mine didn't. Thanks much for your quick response.

 

[tickedoffchick]

Trying to find out if this Botkier is authentic

That looks legit. My Botkier, which came from Nordstroms, was also made in Indonesia, and I think they've made bags there for a while now. As someone already said, a fake would probably either say China or not say at all. As for the hardware, I suspect it may be that they don't do as many of the Triggers with that color metal as opposed to the gold. I hope that helps!

 

[denteve]

Please let me know if this trigger looks good: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-B...440?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item4ac27bc9f8

Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[Cacciatrice]

help me please, my name is valentina and I really want this bag:

name: Botkier Valentina Bag Handbag Satchel Crossbody Blue Purpple Lilac Dustbag
seller:secondlookla2012
link: http://www.ebay.it/itm/171010818597?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1174

 

[uadjit]

help me please, my name is valentina and I really want this bag:

name: Botkier Valentina Bag Handbag Satchel Crossbody Blue Purpple Lilac Dustbag
seller:secondlookla2012
link: http://www.ebay.it/itm/171010818597?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1174

This looks fine.

 

[santafesunrise]

Can someone please tell me if this bag is authentic? Thank you!!

Name: Botkier handbag w/dustbag and tags....I don't know the style name
Seller: hunie3
Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321102813227&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123