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About Me: peskipiksipesternomi( 1176)

Please note that I am currently having bandwidth problems due to a massive increase of views on my ME page. I am in the process of reconstructing my site and I appreciate your patience. Also, I am answering 15-20 emails per day for authenticity issues. If you need urgent help, please refer to eBay's Clothing and Accessories Board for help. Thanks once again for your patience!

PRADA ~ a few of your questions answered

This guide was created to help stop the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit Prada handbags by providing some basic information on how to identify an authentic Prada handbag and wallet.

Background

iuccia Prada's grandfather, Mario, founded the family luxury leather goods company in Milan in 1913.

In 1978, a reluctant Miuccia assumed the reins from her mother, after completing a PhD in Political Science. She was an unlikely successor, having spent the last five years studying and performing mime at Milan's Teatro Piccolo, being a paid-up member of the Communist party and champion of women's rights in Seventies' Milan. But she soon proved her worth.

In 1985, she designed a new line of black, unlabelled, hard-wearing, but finely-woven nylon handbags that immediately became must-haves for the fashion cognoscenti, seen hanging off the arm of the likes of Jerry Hall and Marie Helvin. With retail prices starting at around 50, a bootlegging industry quickly sprang up, making the authentic articles even more desirable. More importantly, Prada bags were established as the accessory of choice for supermodels and fashion editors the world over.

Prada launched her eponymous ready-to-wear collection for autumn/winter 1989 to critical acclaim. The plain, almost austere lines of her designs provided a stark contrast to the overtly sensual designs of other labels of the time and one admiring fashion journalist described Prada's clothes as "uniforms for the slightly disenfranchised".

In 1992, she debuted the less expensive bridge line Miu Miu (Miuccia's nickname), inspired by her personal wardrobe of earthier, hippyish garments in natural fabrics and colours. Clean and stylish designs, fine materials and exquisite craftsmanship conspired to win Prada a Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 1993. A year later, she showed in New York for the first time and opened her London boutique. She now shows for Prada and Miu Miu twice a year in Milan.(vogue.com)

A few pieces from my Prada collection

I've been collecting Prada for the past seven years. I've attached some photos from my past purchases.

Are you familiar with this designer?

The first thing I recommend to people is to go into your local Prada stockist and get a feel for the merchandise. Handle the different types of leather and nylons, take note of the stitching and hardware details, familiarise yourself with some of the more classic lines and styles.

Ready to buy?

Start by browsing the thousands of listings on eBay. There are a lot of genuine items at reasonable prices, you just have to learn how to weed out the real thing. Stay away from listings that cannot guarantee authenticity or claim they were eceived as gifts Request additional pictures from the seller and ask questions prior to placing a bid. Use the Clothing and Accessories Board for opinions on whether or not the Prada item you are about to bid on is genuine. Stay away from auctions that do not accept Paypal as a form of payment. Your security as a buyer is severely compromised should you pay by money order or personal cheque. Most importantly, check your seller's feedback record!

This guide will hopefully arm you in the quest for the perfect Prada handbag. Keep in mind that the information below is limited due to the extensive range of Prada merchandise and the availability of certain styles in some continents compared to others. Please note that I am neither an expert nor am I affiliated with Prada; just a long-time collector and fan.

FEATURES

Prada is known for their use of high quality materials and standards in workmanship. Unfortunately, the only way a buyer can be certain of purchasing an authentic Prada handbag is to purchase it directly from a Prada Boutique or an authorized Prada retailer such as Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. Below is information you can use to determine the authenticity of your Prada bag before buying or selling on eBay.

EXTERIOR

Materials

Nappa (lamb)
Vitello (year-old calf)
Tessuto (woven: nylon/microfibre)
Vela Sport (nylon)
Saffiano (textured leather)
Daino (deerskin)
Coccodrillo (crocodile)
Cinghiale (wild boar)
Spazzolato (highly polished leather)
Vernice (patent leather)
Struzzo (ostrich)
Scamosciato (suede)
Bufalo (buffalo)
Camoscio (chamois)
Raso (silk/satin)
Canapa (hemp)
Feltro (felt: wool)
Neoprene (cloth vinyl)
Others: Denim, Fur: leopard

Hardware

Prada uses either yellow gold, rose gold or silver hardware throughout the bag or wallet. Not a combination of both or all. The Prada hardware is engraved with the Prada name.

Logo

All Prada bags and wallets will either have the embossed Prada name or the triangular Prada plaque on the exterior. The triangular plaques on older Prada bags and wallets are mounted on a leather or fabric base (or patch) while the newer models are attached directly to the body of the bag or wallet. Additionally, the older Prada logos read as "Prada Milano Made in Italy" while the newer models have been simplified to read "Prada". Note the size, width and placement of the lettering.

Other Exterior Markings

In addition to the logo and hardware, other parts of the Prada bag will also show the Prada name; for example, the rubber "feet" at the base of the bag.

INTERIOR

Lining

There are a number of different linings Prada uses depending on the line: monogram lining (most common), plain coordinating or more recently, contrasting satin lining and calf leather lining (luxury line).

Occasionally, you will find Prada bags that are unlined. Depending on the main body of the bag, it will have either a suede-like or plain nylon interior.

Interior markings

All Prada handbags and wallets are made in Italy. This will either be embossed directly on the leather interior in a visible location, or printed on the interior plaque under the Prada name. Interior plaques on older Prada bags are almost square with "Prada Milano Made in Italy" on 3 separate lines while newer models are on smaller, more rectangular plates with "Prada Made In Italy" on two lines. Newer high-end models may have the "Prada Made in Italy" either embossed on a leather patch that is stitched to the interior.

OTHER

Cotton dustcovers (either in white with navy Prada logo or navy with gold older style Prada logo or newer style light blue Prada name), authenticity cards and care instruction booklets are supplied with each Prada bag. The Prada Sport line provides a grey vinyl dustcover with a red stripe and the Prada name in white. These are also commonly faked to make you believe that the item being sold is real. Most wallets come with a navy blue/violet gift box.

Information on Prada authenticity cards include: Model, Group Name, Material and Colour. Authenticity cards do not generally "hang" from straps unless they are purchased directly from Italy, and they are enclosed in little plastic sleeves.

A stamped authenticity card will provide a person with a guarantee against manufacturing defects, however Prada items can be purchased from Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue without this stamp and can be returned at those retailers (with proof of purchase) for repairs. If the card is stamped from a Prada boutique, it can be brought into any store worldwide for repair or refurbishment.

Do you suspect you purchased a fake Prada bag on eBay?

Use the Clothing and Accessories Board to verify if your item is authentic. Post a lot of pictures of the item you received and ideally, the Item Number. There are a lot of knowledgeable posters that will help you to determine the next few steps.

Information on other designer handbags such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci is available from the handbag_authentication_resources page.

If you have additional information to add to this page, please feel free to contact me.

The above page is maintained by: peskipiksipesternomi( 1176)

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