How to Tell Real vs Fake Givenchy Bags: 5 Authenticity Checks

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Givenchy is a French designer brand that’s been around since 1952. It was founded in Paris by Hubert de Givenchy, one of the first fashion designers to introduce the concept of separates, creating a line of tops and bottoms that could be mixed and matched to create a variety of different looks.

Celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor have used Givenchy brand apparel, making them a bonafide premium brand.

Audrey Hepburn in a dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy in the opening of the 1961 romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Credit: Paramount Pictures)

Unfortunately, like any other designer brand, Givenchy has its share of fake imitations, and that goes for its handbag collection as well.

With a few simple tips, though, you should be able to tell if a Givenchy is “the real deal” or not.

Where To Buy Givenchy Bags

To get yourself an authentic Givenchy handbag. The first option (and the safest one) is to buy a handbag from them directly.

They’ve got stores all over the world, and while not every country has a Givenchy outlet, it’s definitely worth stopping by a store if you’re traveling to a place that has one.

Singer Celine Dion leaving the Givenchy office building located at number 3 Avenue George V in Paris’s 8th arrondissement on January 24, 2019, in Paris, France (Credit: WENN)

If you’re like many other women, though, you won’t have the luxury of living near a Givenchy outlet. So instead of buying from them directly, you can get Givenchy bags through online resellers.

Sites like Nordstrom, Farfetch, and Mytheresa sell authentic designer-brand products. You can even get additional deals that you won’t find in Givenchy outlets, which can help you save up a little.

The Mystic bag from Clare Waight Keller is crafted from premium calfskin leather and designed with adjustable straps that can be worn in a multitude of different ways

And, of course, there’s always the option to buy from flea markets. You can never be sure of the quality of handbags and designer brands in flea markets, though, as that’s where many cheap knockoffs are sold.

You’ll need to be able to tell the difference if you plan on shopping in these markets, so read on to find out exactly how.

1. Check the Materials Used

Designer brands share one thing in common – they’re consistent with their product line. Givenchy is no exception, and you can expect a certain level of quality with each bag.

For example, the bag itself must stand upright on its own – if it collapses under its own weight, then it’s probably a fake.

Givenchy bags are made with soft, tactile leather of the highest quality

Another indicator of a fake Givenchy bag is the type and quality of leather used. Givenchy leather is solid and made out of anything from veal or goat leather as long as it’s well-structured.

It’s soft, but not too soft to the point where it feels fake. Like most designer brand leather, Givenchy handbag leather is supple and doesn’t look like plastic leather at all.

2. Inspect the Handles of the Bag

The handles of a Givenchy handbag are a great way to spot inconsistencies in the bag. Givenchy makes them in such a way that it’s hard to replicate that easily.

The first thing you should look for is the structure of the handles. Like the bag itself, the structure of the handle should be strong enough for it to stand on its own.

Givenchy’s GV3 handbag is named after the company’s landmark address on Avenue George V in Paris

Other than the handle itself, pay close attention to the patch that connects the handle to the handbag. For example, Givenchy Antigona’s leather patch on top is round at the bottom, while the patch on top has four corners on both sides.

They’re pretty hard to miss, so it won’t be that difficult to compare the bag to a photo of an authentic Givenchy from the internet.

3. Take A Close Look at The Logo

Givenchy spares no expense when keeping the quality of their handbags, especially for their logos.

The first thing you should be able to notice is the placement of the logo itself – if it isn’t centered properly or is in an odd position, that should be a huge red flag.

Be sure to take a look at the spacing between the letters, too, and compare it with their official logo to see if it matches or not.

Beautiful Duetto bags from the Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci Fall 2017 Women’s pre-collection

Aside from its position, the font of the logo itself is a dead giveaway. Even with proper positioning, a fake Givenchy handbag can be identified if the font used isn’t exactly the same as the official logo.

If the letters are too thick or aren’t elongated enough, the handbag is probably a fake.

4. Pay Attention to the Strap of the Handbag

Chances are that if you’re buying a Givenchy handbag, you’re buying the label’s signature Antigona bag, which debuted for Fall Winter 2010. If that’s the case, there is a special tip for this iconic bag that celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2020.

One of the defining features of the Givenchy Antigona is its strap, as it’s made to be removable. The hardware of the strap should have a gap in it, and the ring attached to the bad should have a dent on it too.

Pay close attention to details before purchasing a Givenchy handbag

There are also metal buckles on the shoulder strap that are there purely for decorative purposes.

Finally, the “Givenchy” logo should also be engraved onto the strap’s hardware. If Antigona lacks any one of these characteristics, then you’re probably looking at a fake Givenchy.

5. Look at the Serial Number of the Handbag

Givenchy is one of those designer brands that prints serial numbers to identify their bags.

This isn’t done in all designer brands (as it can easily be imitated), but there are times when imitations don’t print the right serial numbers on their bags, which can be a dead giveaway.

Basically, Givenchy handbags consist of a 6-character serial number that follows a specific format.

The first two characters mark where the bag was produced. The third and fourth digits represent the week the bag was made, and the last two digits represent the year.

Celine Dion’s backup dancer and suspected lover Pepe Muñoz carrying a bag with the official Givenchy logo in Paris (Credit: WENN)

The trick here is to find the serial numbers of the specific bag you’re planning on buying online. You then compare it to the handbag in the market to see if it matches. If it doesn’t, then it’s probably a fake.

If you contact Givenchy’s customer service department and provide them with the serial number of your product, they should be able to verify the authenticity of the serial number and confirm whether the product is genuine.

What is Givenchy?

Givenchy is a French designer brand that’s owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH and has been selling fashion apparel for almost 70 years. They’re mainly known for their clothing, but their Antigona handbag is also extremely popular.

How much do Givenchy handbags typically cost?

On their official online store, Givenchy handbags will cost you thousands of dollars.

Printed and embroidered racing stripes distinguish this buttery-smooth leather Antigona bag made in Italy with a slouchy shape and removable shoulder strap

Their Mini Antigonas will set you back $1,790, and their premium handbags cost up to $4,450. You can get their Mystic bags for at least $2,490 as well.

Is Givenchy a luxury brand?

Owned by a luxury conglomerate LVMH, which also is the parent company of Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Kenzo, Marc Jacobs, Nicholas Kirkwood, Rimowa, and many more famous labels, Givenchy is one of the world’s leading luxury brands.

Where are Givenchy bags made?

Authentic Givenchy bags, belts, clothing, hats, wallets, jewelry, and shoes are all made in Italy. Some T-shirts are made in Portugal. Givenchy does not produce anything in China.

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