Authenticate This Kooba
- Thread starter Rebecca04
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It is a Kooba Paige, but not Raisin. Raisin is a pebbly purple/burgundy color. Yours is a smooth brown. Don't know the exact color (I think it may be Java), but it looks authentic.
Sorry.
404 is geek-speak for missing. The zipper pull on Koobas are uniquely shaped (though I think this year they've changed that) in that they're wedge-shaped. If you go back through the photos here in the forum you'll see many examples. Since the zipper pull is missing, we can use that as an indicator of authenticity.'Tell' is a poker term meaning something that indicates or reveals a player's true feelings:
//(esp. in poker) An unconscious behavior that is thought to betray an attempted deception//
Words are what I do for a living.
Sometimes I play with them too much.
There are several examples of the labels here in the forum, and I'm posting mine here as well. The sewn-in fabric tags may differ slightly from year to year but they all look basically similar. They're fabric that's usually a similar color to the bag lining. The words aren't printed on by part of the weaving of the fabric (best way I can explain it). 'Handcrafted' (my error--I was using a generic term) is what it says on the label.
The three tags here are from my Hudson, my Jackie and my Millie. The Jackie also shows the side view of the zipper. Hope this helps!
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Can anyone authenticate this Kooba Paige in Raisen?
thx!
I wish there was a side view of the zipper but it looks fine to me otherwise. (I agree with Azure or will bow to her expertise.)
One of the things I do is use GOOGLE IMAGES to find other sites with 'real' Koobas and then I compare. Bag Borrow and Steal (Avelle) states they authenticate (and I have no reason to think they don't) and they had a Kooba Paige for sale at one point:
http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/Handbags/Kooba/Kooba-Paige-Shoulder-Handbag/33642
I look at things like sizes of buckles, placement of studs, etc.
Bluefly is also an authorized dealer:
http://www.bluefly.com/Kooba-khaki-lambskin-Paige-bag/cat20434/211901100/detail.fly
You can also find a lot of the fake sites that way--and again, I compare the 'real' photos to the 'fake' photos (keeping in mind that some of the fake sites use photos of real designer bags to lure buyers...)
Hope this helps!
BookWriter--thank you so much for your help, and for the pictures. I checked one of my Koobas and it also has that tag. Your explanation of the 'tell of the missing pull is disturbingly clear, as is the fact that they hedged when I asked for a photo of the tag, merely restating that I could return it in 7 days. OK--we'll see when I get it, but I'm not overly optimistic....
What would I do without my PurseForum authenticators??
What would I do without my PurseForum authenticators??
Ok. I finally received my Kooba Maggie from Amazon. I have heard so many good things from this thread about the great quality of Kooba bags, but this particular bag concerns me. It does have the "handcrafted made in China" sewn in tag. It also has the Kooba on the zipper pull and the Kooba metal plate on one side of the bag. My question is; Is it normal for the handles on Kooba bags to be 2 different colors? Also, the color of the leather near the pleats seem to be over distressed. I got a great deal on this bag, but if it's not authentic, it's not a deal. Let me know what you think? Sorry for the bad pics, my camera is so outdated.
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Authenticators or Kooba Lovers,
Sorry for posting more pics, but the horrible pics above were taken with my extremely outdated camera phone (I know I should buy a new phone, but I prefer buying handbags)
. I borrowed my daughter's digital camera for these pics. The only things you can see clearer on the above pics are the two-toned straps. Does this bag look authentic? Thanks for your help!
Sorry for posting more pics, but the horrible pics above were taken with my extremely outdated camera phone (I know I should buy a new phone, but I prefer buying handbags)
. I borrowed my daughter's digital camera for these pics. The only things you can see clearer on the above pics are the two-toned straps. Does this bag look authentic? Thanks for your help!Attachments
Okay, first, I'm a Kooba owner (and Kooba slut! LOL!) but I'm not by any means a legal expert. However, that being said, nothing here raises flags as to it being not authentic. If anything, the fakes are usually TOO uniform, too "vanilla." Koobas--in my experience--have funky, chunky, mottled leather. Is the leather heavy and does it have a think and nice 'hand?' (Sorry--that's a textile term: Hand. I grew up in the textile biz outside NYC but I hope you know what I mean.) Koobas are heavy, scooshy, thick, rough-yet-lovely.
With the handles being two different dye lots, I've not personally seen that but it wouldn't make it un-authentic for me. What it WOULD tell me is that it might be a 'second' (do you know that term?). An 'irregular.' That's why the discounted price. That personally wouldn't bother me as leather tends to be irregular by nature. But it may be an issue with some people.
My older Koobas are all in FL so I can't give you pics of leather variations. But that's not an automatic negative for me. However, if someone else here knows this bag personally (I don't) then I bow to their expertise.
Although I have no personal love for Amazon (as I may have mentioned, I had legal issues against them for theft of a manuscript), I'd have a hard time seeing them as selling FAKES. I can fully see them (or anyone) selling IRREGULARS.
Maybe a Maggie owner will chime in here?
"Kooba Slut"...too funny!! Thanks for the info. I'm feeling a little better about the bag's authenticity now. I believe you're right about the bag being irregular (hence the low price). Thanks again.
Authenticators or Kooba Lovers,
Sorry for posting more pics, but the horrible pics above were taken with my extremely outdated camera phone (I know I should buy a new phone, but I prefer buying handbags)
I may be wrong, but I am not aware of any new(er) Koobas that have been faked. Since the decline in popularity in the post-Sienna days - I have not seen a recognizable Kooba design that begs to be "faked." So I would tend to believe yours is the real deal.
I also agree with BookWriter... she gave you excellant advice!
I may be wrong, but I am not aware of any new(er) Koobas that have been faked. Since the decline in popularity in the post-Sienna days - I have not seen a recognizable Kooba design that begs to be "faked." So I would tend to believe yours is the real deal.
I also agree with BookWriter... she gave you excellant advice!
Thanks azureartist. You're right about the decline in popularity. My first time hearing about Kooba handbags was from this site. I joined this purse forum earlier this year to authenticate my LV speedy and I've been hooked ever since.
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