Up until this year (2021) Louis Vuitton has used date codes in its bags since the early 80s. Please note these are not authenticity codes but identify where and when the bag was made and do contribute to assisting in the authentication process.
France:
A0, A1, A2, AA, AAS (special order), AH, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, BU, CO, CT, CX, DR, DT, DU, ET, FL (also USA), LA (also USA), LM (also Spain), LW, MB,MI, ML,MM, NO,RA,RI,SA (also Italy), SD (also USA), SF, SK, SL, SN, SP, SR, TA, TH, TJ, TN, TR, TS, TY, VI, VX
Italy:
BC (also Spain), BO, CE, FH (also USA), FO, FP, MA, NZ, OB, PL, RC, RE, SA (also France), TB, TD
Spain:
BC (also Italy), CA, LO, LB, LM (also France), LW, GI, UB
USA:
FC, FH (also Italy), FL (also France), OS, SD (also France), TX
Germany:
LP, OL
Switzerland:
DI, FA
Year Manufactured..2021-Present
Louis Vuitton have now introduced micro chips to their bags which can be scanned in store
Year 2007-2001
Two letter proceeded by four numbers. The first two letters represent the factory location and the first and third numbers represent the week of the year, and the second and fourth numbers represent the year,. For example FC1036 indicates that the bag was manufactured in the USA in the 13th week of 2006.
Year 1990-2006
Two letters followed by four digits. The first two letters indicate the factory location and the first and third number represent the month and the second and fourth numbers the years. For example FA1015 indicate that the bag was made in Switzerland in Nov 2005.
Early to late 1980s
This was when Louis Vuitton changed their date codes to include the letters indicating the factory location where the bag had been manufactured. Usually three of four digits were followed by two letter. The first two numbers represented the year the next numbers the month and then in the late 80s the letters were first, for example BA8712 would mean that the bag had been manufactured in France in Dec 87.
The Fendi Zucca print is having a real resurgence of popularity at present but like all of the luxury branded bags Fendi are copied far and wide and you have to have a keen eye to spot the difference.
Post 2004 Fendi introduced the hologram sticker for bags. These stickers are extremely detailed and are found on the fabric tag inside the bag. The reverse of the tag will also have an alpha numerical serial number. If the bag has neither of these then leave it alone! Beware however, as the fakes also have holograms but these will peel easily whereas the real deal is VERY firmly fixed!
A Chanel bag is a great investment with prices for a Medium Classic Flap bag increasing by 72% between 2010 and 2015. However, if you don’t have the money to buy one from Chanel direct then how do you know what you are getting is the real deal. When you think designer copies, Chanel handbags are probably the first to come to mind. There are tons out there. Some obvious, and some a little harder to spot. Over the years the copiers have become really good at getting it as close as possible but however hard they try they always seem to miss the minutiae. I have worked with vintage Chanel pieces for over 20 years and during that time have learned exactly what to look for. Firstly, look for the obvious, quality of the stitching, stamps, hardware etc, if it doesn’t feel quite right or look the part chances are its not as a real Chanel piece simply oozes quality..but here are some other key pointers:
