Today's Fake Files features a counterfeit from the Spring 2019 Ignasi Monreal x Gucci collaboration. The tag claims 200 were made, but authentic sweatshirts from this collection were limited to just 100 pieces per design. (It was the T-shirts that were limited to 200.)
And that's not the only detail worth examining.
Watch the Reel below, then keep reading for a closer look at the care labels, with authentic vs. counterfeit examples to help you understand what to look for.
1. Brand Tag - For this collaboration, Gucci used numbered brand tags on the sweaters. Below is a comparison of the counterfeit and authentic tags.
The biggest red flag is that the counterfeit tag indicates 200 pieces were made, when only 100 were produced, as shown on the authentic tag in the bottom image. Also, notice the difference in the GUCCI font. On the counterfeit tag, the lettering is narrower, whereas the authentic tag features a rounder font.
2. Front of Composition Label - Next is the composition/care tag. These tags are very important when authenticating, and I will generally decline to authenticate an item if this tag is missing.
While the font is generally correct, it is not as bold as the font on the authentic version shown on the right.
3. Craftsmanship - For a sweatshirt that retailed for over $1,000, you should expect clean, high-quality craftsmanship. Notice how the counterfeit tag does not lay flat and has been machine-stitched onto the sweater seam. In contrast, the authentic version has a neatly tucked-in tag with no visible machine stitching.
4. Size Tag - The size tag should reflect the same level of craftsmanship as the composition tag. As you can see, the counterfeit tag is machine-stitched on top of a seam, whereas the authentic version is neatly tucked in with no visible stitching.
Have an item you're unsure about? Get it authenticated by a trusted Gucci expert. Submit your item for authentication here.
