Were the Le Dix bags faked or not?? Various and speculative opinions

[LouiseyPeasey]

Exactly - With all due respect to LP, how does one know FOR SURE that it is authentic? There will always be a niggling doubt at the back of my mind that I have bought a fake fbf.

I know what you mean, there's no FOR SURE, there's just opinion. I'll tell you though - the bag that I held in my hands that had the Pierre Cardin lining - I don't know how to explain it, but I would stake my money and my life on that one. But I don't know if I can extrapolate from that one to others. And the thing that strikes me is... if a faker was going to make SUCH a good copy of a Balenciaga - is that the mistake they would make?? The hardware and leather and cut and stamping and stitching and everything is good - but they put a different brand's logo lining in just a part of the bag? That just doesn't make sense to me. It's weird logic, though, I admit.

I feel for you, Jade - I can understand why it could bother someone. Personally, I still think it's auth, but that doesn't really help at all.

 

[Babi]

I know what you mean, there's no FOR SURE, there's just opinion. I'll tell you though - the bag that I held in my hands that had the Pierre Cardin lining - I don't know how to explain it, but I would stake my money and my life on that one. But I don't know if I can extrapolate from that one to others. And the thing that strikes me is... if a faker was going to make SUCH a good copy of a Balenciaga - is that the mistake they would make?? The hardware and leather and cut and stamping and stitching and everything is good - but they put a different brand's logo lining in just a part of the bag? That just doesn't make sense to me. It's weird logic, though, I admit.

I feel for you, Jade - I can understand why it could bother someone. Personally, I still think it's auth, but that doesn't really help at all.

^ It makes sense
Thank you for sharing your opinion LP!
JadeLeaves, since you have more than one FBF, do you "feel" that the leather on this one isn't good?
I think I would keep it.

 

[JadeLeaves]

I know what you mean, there's no FOR SURE, there's just opinion. I'll tell you though - the bag that I held in my hands that had the Pierre Cardin lining - I don't know how to explain it, but I would stake my money and my life on that one. But I don't know if I can extrapolate from that one to others. And the thing that strikes me is... if a faker was going to make SUCH a good copy of a Balenciaga - is that the mistake they would make?? The hardware and leather and cut and stamping and stitching and everything is good - but they put a different brand's logo lining in just a part of the bag? That just doesn't make sense to me. It's weird logic, though, I admit.

I feel for you, Jade - I can understand why it could bother someone. Personally, I still think it's auth, but that doesn't really help at all.

LP, thank you for understanding my misgivings about the authenticity of this FBF and not taking it personally, because I do highly value your expertise here. The points you brought up are the ones I pointed out awhile back when the caramel FBF first surfaced too, mainly, why would the fakers put a PC lining on a bag which would otherwise pass for 100% authentic?

I can accept imperfections in my bbags, but a few things are definite deal-breakers. Is this particular PC lining a deal-breaker? I *think* yes, it is. Would I had bought it if I had noticed the PC lining? No, I don't think so.

^ It makes sense
Thank you for sharing your opinion LP!
JadeLeaves, since you have more than one FBF, do you "feel" that the leather on this one isn't good?
I think I would keep it.

The leather on this season 2 FBF is smooth and silky. It's very soft, compared to my others, but bear in mind I have 2 pebbled and 2 arena leather FBF, and season 3 is totally different. My personal favorite is my season 3 arena leather fbf, it is distressed, and yet still soft and silky. The black on it is phenomenal (to me), and I believe Darcie will agree that there is something special abt the season 3 FBF .

Again, I would like to stress that everything on it looks authentic, like the caramel FBF mentioned earlier, but I only have pictures to go by with regards to the caramel FBF, wheras I've scrutinized every single bit of my season 2 black arena leather fbf with the PC lining on the inside pocket.

 

[JadeLeaves]

For reference, I found the post where I linked to the original sighting of the caramel FBF in reply to the lady who asked about it:

http://forum.purseblog.com/balencia...e-this-balenciaga-248255-958.html#post6320981

 

[hmwe46]

The black on it is phenomenal (to me), and I believe Darcie will agree that there is something special abt the season 3 FBF .

Agreed!! It is the most unique bag and leather and black I have ever seen.

Again, I would like to stress that everything on it looks authentic, like the caramel FBF mentioned earlier, but I only have pictures to go by with regards to the caramel FBF, wheras I've scrutinized every single bit of my season 2 black arena leather fbf with the PC lining on the inside pocket.

Were you able to upload more pics of the rest of your bag for us?? I am so intrigued by this. I have to confess that LPs logic makes sense to me.

Can anybody say if the PC lining itself is authetic???

Because if it is, that backs up the theory even more, right???

 

[JadeLeaves]

Thanks gals!

Here's some wild speculation:

1)What if PC was annoyed at being 'denied work' at Balenciaga and set out to replicate the popular moto bags, and snucked in a little bit of his name in various bits of the FBFs as a little joke? I mean, he licence his name out for almost everything, would this suggestion be that far-fetched?

2)Perhaps these FBFs with the PC lining were repaired at some stage at the same place which happens to have a bundle of black PC lining lying around? I would love to find out more about the 'lineage', if you please, of these FBFs, ie, how many owners did they pass through, and what repairs, if any, were done to them, and where were they done?

3)Ok I'm out of ideas.

I compared the inside pockets of all my FBFs again, and the one with the PC lining had raw edges on the 3 sides that was sewn to the inner lining wheras the rest were tucked in and sewn. The top left corner's stitching is also different to the rest of my FBFs. It is so hard to get a good picture of what I'm referring to, I will try again soon.

I hope I get some closure on this soon! Argh!

 

[JadeLeaves]

Agreed!! It is the most unique bag and leather and black I have ever seen.



Were you able to upload more pics of the rest of your bag for us?? I am so intrigued by this. I have to confess that LPs logic makes sense to me.

Can anybody say if the PC lining itself is authetic???

Because if it is, that backs up the theory even more, right???

Post 5 onwards on this thread has more pics of this FBF:

http://forum.purseblog.com/balencia...collection-comparison-pics-season-306670.html

I am trying to get a better pic of the stitching surrounding this pocket but am having no luck , though you can see a little bit of the raw edge on the bottom of the pocket in my pic of the lining, about 2 inches from the bottom left, there's a thread from the raw edge sticking out:

 

[powderpuff100]

O M G what a beautiful collection of fb Firsts. Thank you so very much for taking the time to take all of these pictures and I'm sure they will become a valuable reference for many girls for many years. MANY thanks, the pictures are fabulous!
This is the first I have heard of this Pierre Cardin thing and I can't see it in the pictures. Weird. I doubt it's fake but would love to hear Balenciaga explain it.

 

[JadeLeaves]

For those who can't see what I was referring to with regards to the Pierre Cardin wording on the lining, here are a couple of pictures in higher resolution to show the wording more clearly, and LG's pics from the auction:

Original Pic:

In the above picture you can see the raw edge of the pocket. My other FBF had edges that were tucked in (sorry, I don't know the proper term - hemmed???) and sewn on, instead of the raw edge shown here.

Pic with the Pierre Cardin circled in pink:

This is the picture taken from the photohosting site linked to the auction for the FBF:

I've circled the Pierre Cardin wording on the previous pic:

 

[JadeLeaves]

Just an update - I have been offered a refund on the FBF with the pierre cardin lining even though it has been 6wks since I purchased it, and I have accepted the kind offer because I just couldn't live with having doubts abt its authenticity. I will be sending the bag back tmr and should get my refund when the seller receives the bag and is satisfied that it is in the same condition as sold.

If anyone can shed anymore light on the PC lining, I'm sure most of us would love that info. Here's hoping that everyone who sees this thread and owns a FBF (or 2,3,4,5 etc etc) can take some time to check their bag/s and let us know if there are any more floating out there.

I am waiting to hear back from someone who might be able to find out more info on where Balenciaga was getting the FBFs made, if I hear anything I will post an update here!

 

[JadeLeaves]

Thank you! I hope these pics will help someone when they need reference pics of flat brass firsts.

I have posted an update on the season 2 black arena leather FBF in the reference thread - http://forum.purseblog.com/balencia...st-classique-lariet-230664-6.html#post6661375

I just want to point out that tpfers whose expertise I respect have stated their opinions that the season 2 black arena leather FBF is authentic, and that it was my own doubts I couldn't live with, so I hope the pictures I took of that particular FBF are still relevant for reference.

 

[powderpuff100]

Ah, now I see what you are referring to. I must have missed the other thread regarding this. What is odd to me is that it also is sewn more sloppily than the others. I'm not an expert on older bags but what if you later decide to sell it? How you offer a logical explanation when you don't have one?

If it is indeed authentic, then it means Balenciaga had quality control problems with their bags from almost day one. Not a pleasant thought.

Anyway, all of your pictures are incredibly helpful and thank you again for taking the time to take them and post them here. I got to see girl again and I'm glad that she has a new home.

For those who can't see what I was referring to with regards to the Pierre Cardin wording on the lining, here are a couple of pictures in higher resolution to show the wording more clearly, and LG's pics from the auction:

Original Pic:

In the above picture you can see the raw edge of the pocket. My other FBF had edges that were tucked in (sorry, I don't know the proper term - hemmed???) and sewn on, instead of the raw edge shown here.

Pic with the Pierre Cardin circled in pink:

This is the picture taken from the photohosting site linked to the auction for the FBF:

I've circled the Pierre Cardin wording on the previous pic:

 

[JadeLeaves]

I took more pictures today before my camera battery died on me.

-

Comparison of stitching:

Season 1 Chocolate Pebbled FBF:

Season 2 Black Arena Leather FBF:

 

[JadeLeaves]

Season 2 Black Pebbled FBF:

Season 3 Black Arena Leather FBF:

I started taking pictures of the back of the handles where it connects to the metal rectangular connector, but didn't get to take pictures of all of them before the battery died, so that will be a post for another day.

 

[nada]

Hey, sweetie, u're the best! U must be the bal-god sent down!

Thanks for all the wonderful pics you have posted to educate us here on all 01/02 fbfs!! They're so detailed and i believe we'll have very little chances of buying any fake ones in the future.