In the luxury goods market, YSL has consistently maintained a key position in the high-end handbag segment YSL has consistently maintained a key position in the high-end handbag segment, largely due to its iconic logo and innovative designs.. However, as the brand's popularity has grown,the rise of a widespread counterfeiting industry. According to an Interpol report, in 2022, handbags made up 38% of the global counterfeit luxury goods trade, with YSL products becoming a prime target for imitation due to their classic designs. This article, based on the brand's official authentication manual and data from physical lab tests, outlines professional methods for identifying fake YSL bags.
I. Authenticity Verification of YSL Logo
Letter Layout: The authentic "YSL" logo features precise spacing, with the left arm of the Y overlapping the curve of the S at exactly 47°, and the central arc of the S covering one-third of the vertical line of the L. Counterfeits often have incorrect letter spacing or stacking order.
Embossing Technique: A Swiss six-color embossing method is used to create a 0.05mm deep three-dimensional groove on 0.8mm thick vegetable-tanned cowhide Genuine logos have a smooth metallic pull effect on the edges, while fakes often use flat gold plating, resulting in white edges.
Dynamic Visual Test: When the bag is rotated by 30°, the genuine logo will show shifting light and shadow due to micro-level surface undulations caused by special molds.
II. Material Authenticity Detection
Leather Testing: Genuine kid leather comes from the abdominal skin of Mont Blanc goats raised on the Château de Gruyères farm in France, with This high concentration of sebaceous glands contributes to the leather's distinctive texture and suppleness. Counterfeits typically use domestic goat leather with irregular fiber arrangements.
Lining Inspection: The genuine black horsebutt leather lining is hand-stitched by Japanese artisans, with 0.3mm-wide herringbone stitching visible at the seams. Fake linings often use polyester fiber, which feels stiff and generates static electricity easily.
Metal Fittings Testing: Genuine hardware contains no less than 99.9% gold and has 17 times the oxidation resistance of regular gold-plated items. Counterfeit metal parts typically have a plating thickness of just 0.2μm and tend to become discolored after six months of use.
These testing methods offer a comprehensive approach to verifying the authenticity of YSL materials and component
III. Serial Number Decoding
Code Structure: New models launched after 2020 follow the "3 letters + 10 digits" format (e.g., YSL A1B2C34567890). The first two letters indicate the production location, the middle four digits correspond to the week number, and the last four digits represent the daily production sequence. In older models with a 12-digit numeric code, the 5th and 6th digits represent the last two digits of the production year.
Anti-counterfeiting Verification: By entering the serial number on the brand's official website, consumers can obtain a digital passport containing 17 pieces of information, including leather batch numbers, craftsmen's ID numbers, and quality inspectors' signatures.
Physical Carrier Identification: Genuine serial number tags are formed by hot pressing vegetable-tanned cowhide strips, with fine burrs of 0.1mm visible at the edges. Fake tags often use synthetic leather and can leave adhesive fibers when removed.
These stitching and assembly standards are essential in maintaining the premium quality YSL is known for.
IV. Stitching Technique Decoding
Stitch Testing: Genuine stitching has a diameter of 0.3mm and uses Japanese TORAY ultra-fine fiber yarn with a tensile strength of 5N per strand. The double stitching spacing is 1.2mm, and all thread ends are rounded to 0.5mm.
Special Process Identification: The Matelassé quilting is woven using a Swiss computerized flat knitting machine, creating a hexagonal honeycomb pattern with dimensions of 0.8mm × 1.2mm. Counterfeits typically use basic three-thread stitching, resulting in loose, non-stereoscopic patterns.
Accessory Assembly Standards: The magnetic snap fastener contains a German neodymium iron boron permanent magnet with a magnetic field strength of 1.4 teslas, capable of withstanding an 8kg impact without deformation. Fake magnets are often made of ferrite, with a magnetic decay rate as high as 60%.