Buzz
Fashion lovers adore Prada accessories... but how can you be sure they're authentic? Despite the flood of counterfeit items, determining whether a Prada handbag is genuine doesn't require an expert's eye. Whether you're buying a pre-owned Prada bag or simply verifying the authenticity of your beloved piece, pay close attention to the logo, metal hardware, materials, and other accessories.
Steps
Inspect the Logo
Examine the curve of the "R" in the Prada logo. This is the most distinctive feature of the Prada logo and the biggest clue to spotting a fake. The right leg of the "R" in the Prada logo has a slight upward curve. If the leg of the "R" remains straight like a regular R, the bag is likely counterfeit.
- Check all instances of the Prada logo, whether printed or engraved, across the bag to ensure the curved "R" appears consistently, including on accessories like dust bags or authenticity cards if present.
Tip: There is a small gap between the "R" and the "A" on the logo of an authentic bag.
Examine the font, spacing, and color on the triangular metal logo. The inverted triangle logo of Prada is highly recognizable. The spacing between the letters on the logo should be even, and the font must match all other Prada lettering on the bag. The background color of the logo plaque should match the bag's color if it's genuine.
- The logo plaque must be securely attached to the front of the bag, not loose or crooked.
- The logo on an authentic bag will be sharp and easy to read, no matter how small the text.
- When checking the font around the bag, ensure all spellings are correct.
Ensure the interior logo plaque matches the lining color. For example, if the bag is cream-colored, the logo plaque should also be cream or slightly darker. Leather bags will have ceramic logos, while non-leather bags may use leather logos. Plastic or fabric logos are signs of a fake.
- The interior logo plaque is rectangular, unlike the triangular exterior logo.
- An authentic Prada bag will have a logo plaque with rounded corners firmly attached to the bag.
- A bag without an interior logo plaque is not genuine.
Look for the interior logo that reads “Prada Milano Made in Italy”. This phrase is split into three lines on the logo. "Prada" is the first line, followed by "Milano," and the last line is "Made in Italy."
- For example, if the logo says “Milan” instead of “Milano,” the bag is fake.
- Newer bag designs may have “Prada” on the first line and “Made in Italy” on the second.
Inspect the Metal Hardware of the Bag
Examine all metal details of the bag to ensure they are uniformly gold or silver. Prada exclusively uses high-quality gold or silver metal for its bag hardware. Authentic Prada bags never mix metal colors. Inspect the bag's metal components, including zippers, clasps, and base studs, to confirm they match in color. A bag with mixed metal tones is likely counterfeit.
Metal details that are discolored or peeling indicate poor quality, meaning the bag is not authentic.
Test the zipper to ensure it operates smoothly. Genuine Prada bags feature zippers that glide effortlessly without snagging or breaking.
- An exception is when purchasing a pre-owned bag with a damaged zipper. In such cases, inquire about the bag's history from the seller.
Check the zipper brand for labels like Lampo, Ykk, Riri, Opti, or Ipi. Prada exclusively uses these brands for its bags. The brand name is often embossed on the back of the zipper.
Verify the spelling on the zipper brand label. Counterfeit bags often alter a single letter to avoid detection at a glance.
Check if all metal parts of the bag are engraved with “Prada.” Every metal component on a Prada bag, including zippers, clasps, locks, base studs, and decorative plaques, should bear the brand's name.
- If any metal part lacks the Prada engraving, the bag is likely fake.
- Authentic bags will have “Prada” engraved on the front of the zipper, while the back displays the zipper manufacturer's brand.
- Not all genuine Prada bags feature metal base studs or special details like locks. Refer to Prada's online catalog to verify if your bag style includes these elements.
Inspect the Material
Feel the leather surface to check for softness. Prada leather bags are exceptionally soft and smooth, crafted from genuine calf leather. If the leather feels stiff or lacks flexibility, it’s likely counterfeit.
Even pleated leather styles maintain a soft and supple surface.
Examine the high-quality fabric with the Prada pattern inside the bag. The lining of a Prada bag is made of nylon jacquard (pattern-woven fabric) or nappa leather. The fabric features alternating rows of the Prada logo and a rope-like design.
- The Prada logo is printed upside down in alternating rows.
Inspect the precise stitching along the seams. Stitches on an authentic Prada bag are never crooked, sloppy, or uneven. They should be small and sturdy. Any fraying is a clear sign of a counterfeit.
- The thread on leather bags always matches the leather color.
- Designer bags rarely have glued seams.
Examine the Accessories
Look for a small white card inside the bag with a printed number. Every Prada bag comes with a small square card tucked inside, displaying a unique number. This is the bag's production code.
Having a number on the card doesn't guarantee authenticity. Some counterfeit bags also include fake production codes.
Check for a white dust bag with a black Prada logo. This pillowcase-like fabric bag protects the bag from dust, sunlight, and moisture. For genuine Prada bags, the font on the dust bag matches the bag's branding (logo or lining). The dust bag also features a drawstring.
- The dust bag has a label sewn on, reading "Prada" and "100% Cotton Made in Italy."
- Not all Prada bags come with a dust bag. Ask the seller if it's missing.
- Older bag styles might have a navy blue dust bag with gold metallic Prada lettering.
Verify the authenticity card for information and quality. Every Prada bag includes an authenticity card with a serial number and bag style details. Irregular letter spacing, slanted text, or poor print quality are signs of a fake card.
- The authenticity card is typically housed in a black envelope with an embossed Prada logo. A printed logo instead of embossed indicates a counterfeit.
- Contact Prada through their official website to verify a serial number. Fill out the contact form with a subject line like "Please verify my Prada bag's serial number" and include the serial number in the email content.
