Handbags are a wondrous and beautiful extension of our very personalities. We can make quite the fashion statement with what handbag we choose to use. A handbag can change according to our tastes, our emotions, and our moods. What one person thinks is a good handbag may not be so good for another person. One deciding factor to many people – except those that are the social elite of society – is how much that handbag is going to cost. Not that you want to buy a cheap handbag, you just want to make sure you get what you are paying for. One way you can make sure to get what you pay for is by being able to detect frauds. Do you know how to detect a fake Prada handbag? Most people don’t.
A Brief History of Prada
First, you must understand what Prada stands for and what Prada means. Mario Prada states the Prada label in 1913. He specialized in leather goods and had two shops: one in Europe and one in the United States. First, he used fine, exotic walrus leather. However, this was rather bulky and heavy; as air travel became more popular, heavy and bulky was not as convenient as it once was. He turned his company into a lighter, more exotic luggage and handbag department. He utilized tortoise shells, crystals, exotic hides, and wood to create the best, most exotic handbags and leather goods in the world.
In 1950, the future of the Prada name was born: her name is Miuccia Prada. With a doctorate in political science, her political loyalties have swayed with the times. Her father encompassed her style, beliefs, and mind into the Prada company and in 1979, she took her father’s place. Her take over was met with mixed emotions. Prada had been on a steady decline for sometime and was facing sure bankruptcy. Prada was then taken in another direction to help this struggling company.
Prada expanded into a more reasonable handbag option: tote bags and backpacks. At first, these beauties were solely black, classically features and made from nylon. This suited the struggling company and started to get Prada into a more positive spotlight. In 1985, Prada then introduced a line of clothing and footwear. However, these were definitely not the same quality as the nylon bags before them. Indeed not. Prada only produces clothes and footwear of the highest qualities and they all had clean, smooth lines. This made Prada a name of elegance and beauty.
In the late 90s, Prada started acquiring other designer names and labels such as Church Shoes, Fendi, and Jil Sander, just to name a few. Not all of these acquisitions have been painless and Prada has definitely shaken up the fashion world bringing with it controversy, change, and a unique twist that only Prada can offer. Rubbing elbows with such names as Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Dior has made Prada a household name. Many of the social elite have worn a Prada proudly.
In the early part of 2000, Prada found itself in debt for almost $1 billion USD. Prada sold off the Fendi design to LVMH for $250 million USD in 2001 followed shortly by the sale of Byblos. Prada has some financial issues and the world awaits to see if this fashion giant can pull itself up from the depths of debt. If the past is any indication, Prada will not only survive, but it will flourish.
Is It A Real Prada?
Of course, the is no guarantee that the handbag you are getting is a genuine, authentic Prada. However, these following steps will help keep you at the top of your game. These steps will teach you know how to detect a fake Prada handbag. While far from complete, this offers a guideline.
1. Check the hardware. All Prada hardware is antique brass. If you find hardware that is rusted, old, or worn, then it probably is not a Prada. Check the coloration, the size, and the condition. All Prada products – clothes, handbags, and/or coats – offer the same superb and excellent hardware. This includes zippers, clasps, closures, buckles, and any possible chains that may be attached to the handbag.
2. Check the handle/strap. Without fail, all Prada handbags have the best handle/straps available in the industry today. High quality equates to no frayish, strayish threads. People would not spend upwards of $2,000 USD for a handbag just to have a handle/strap that was cheap and didn’t last longer than the handbag.
3. Have you looked at that lining? The lining of all these luxurious handbags is of the finest materials. All Prada handbags have the unique Prada logo embroidered repeatedly into the lining no matter the material. Often, this material is super fine leather, velvet, or the finest cotton. The seams on the inside are all but invisible.
4. Where did you get the handbag? If you get your handbag from a ritzy department store such as Saks or Neiman Marcus, the chances are pretty good you have an original. If you get your handbag from the street corner for $29.99 USD, the chances are it isn’t an authentic Prada. All Prada handbags have a serial number and tag of authenticity located on them. This is a great way to detect the real from the fake.
Obviously when you want to know how to detect a fake Prada handbag, this is only a guideline and not a rule. Use common sense, do your research, and expect to pay a small fortune. Following these simple steps will insure that you get the most bang for your buck.
