How to Spot an Authentic Prada Bag
Prada bags exude class and sleek, modernist lines. These bags are made from distinct materials and are designed and crafted in-house.
To identify a genuine Prada bag, look for the brand stamp in the lining inside. It should be stitched using two to three lines, comprising PRADA and MILANO.
Brand Stamp
Prada is renowned for its sleek and minimal designs however, the brand also is known for its aplomb in adding a bit of flair. The Cleo is a prime example of a satchel which first came out in the Multiple Views Spring/Summer 2021 collection which was released a year before Raf was named cocreative director. The bag is curved with a lot of energy. It comes in a variety of colors, including a deep black, white milk and powdery Pistachio. This variation of the Cleo is constructed from a smooth brushed calfskin as well as light spazzolato calf leather. This gives it a soft sheen that's less glossy than patent leather. If you're looking for something a little more daring then the bejeweled Cleo is available.
Authentic Prada bags come with an image or tag on the inside, based on the style. On older styles the plaque will have three lines that read 'PRADA MILANO MADE IN ITALY,' while newer styles will include two lines that say 'Made in Italy'. This logo is embossed onto the surface of a ceramic plate on bags with linings of fabric and is also stitched on patches of leather for smaller bags or other non-leather designs.
The tag should always be in line with the interior lining color. If it does not it is a major red flag. The tag should also never be made from plastic or cloth.
Real Prada zippers are engraved on the back with the name of one of the company's five zipper manufacturers. Check the bottom of your zipper pullers to ensure that this information is there. Fake zippers tend to be longer and wider and have cutouts that don't align correctly with the zipper slide.
Triangle Logo Plaque
Prada bags come with an inverted triangle plaque that is placed on the outside of the bag. It includes four lines: the brand's name, city of origination (Milano) and coat of arms. The plaque is securely attached to the bag. If it is not aligned or slants upwards, it's a sign of a fake. A genuine logo should have rounded corners, not square ones.
The interior of a genuine Prada bag is made of embossed leather or jacquard. The fabric lining should have the logo pattern or rope chain lines printed on it. The lines will alternate, with the first line printed in a vertical orientation and then the roping line upside down. A real lining also features the small square stitched into the pouch's interior. The square identifies the manufacturing facility which made the bag.
A authentic Prada bag comes with a product label and dust bag. The card, a piece of black paper with a sticker on it, has more information than the tag at the bottom of the bag. It may contain the serial number of the bag, or a barcode that you can use to get more details from the Prada website.
Examining the hardware is a different method to verify the authenticity of the Prada bag. The clasps, zippers and feet should be silver or gold. If they're not, it's a signal that the bag is fake. Be sure that the hardware made of metal has the Prada logo stamped on it. Also, the zippers should flow smoothly and not catch. The company has used different zipper manufacturers over time including LAMPO, YKK and Riri Make sure to verify which ones your bag is equipped with.
Interior Logo Plaque
Authentic Prada bags have an engraved ceramic or leather plaque that has two to three lines of text. The words must match the color of bag lining. The tag should contain at least three or two numbers. If it is only printed in black or has only three or two numbers the bag is not authentic. Prada also uses a special white label that has branded markings, also known as a quality or factory assurance tag. It will bear the Prada and Milano number and may also state MADE IN ITALIA. Look for this tag, as the tag is missing it could be fake.
If the logo on a bag appears to be made of plastic or fabric instead of leather, then it may be fake. The plaque must also be firmly attached to its lining, and should include four corners that are round. The font used on the interior of the plaque should match the font used on the exterior.
In addition to checking the plaque, it is important to check all the fonts on the bag for misspellings or inconsistencies. The fonts should be consistent throughout the bag, especially on the dust bag and on the authenticity card if you have one.
A notch is visible on the right leg. The fake logo is slightly angled, however the genuine Prada logo has just an inch of space between the letter's leg and the body of the letter. This is another detail you may overlook, so be sure to examine your Prada bag to ensure consistency and accuracy. You should be able to tell whether or not a Prada handbag is authentic using the tips provided above.
Hardware
When it comes to the hardware of Prada there are a few crucial aspects to be aware of. All Prada bags must have gold or silver-plated hardware including clasps and zippers. If a bag has mixed metals or hardware that's neither silver or gold is most likely fake.
A Prada bag's logo plaque inside is another way to determine whether the bag is authentic. The plaque should have four rounded corners and be securely attached to the bag. The letters of the word "PRADA" should have these characteristics that each letter's right leg should be more thick than its left leg and should curve upwards.
All authentic Prada bags are stitched with a Quality Assessment Tag. The QAT will include a three-digit or two-digit number that identifies the location in which the bag was made. Counterfeiters have noticed this tag, so make sure to check for one on any bags you're considering buying.
Authentic Prada bags must have a dustbag and the bag should feature the PRADA brand and a label stating that it's 100 100% cotton. You can find out more about authenticating bags by going to the Prada website or speaking to an associate in your local store.
If you're looking to add a new addition to your collection of designer bags, visit 1stDibs for a variety of Prada styles. Our site has something for everyone, from the classic Saffiano bag to the edgy Mini Logo Plaque Bags that were able to keep Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie looking stunning throughout the year.
Brand Name
When Miuccia Prada introduced the nylon bag in 1984, she shaken up the fashion world with a revolutionary new material that made her bag both functional and stylish. The innovative design utilized the same industrial-weight nylon that was used in military tents, which made it tough and flexible enough to hold everyday necessities.
The bag is timeless but has been updated through the years with new textiles and shapes. Recently, the Galleria bag (named after the historical shopping arcade) has risen to archetypal status. This top-handle purse combines classic 1940s frame bag silhouettes with a modern approach to form and structure, resulting in an ultra-chic design that is stylish and practical. The most recent version -- a spacious version that's made of crinkled antique leather that has been seen on the arms of It girls all summer -- is about as Prada as it gets.
Other Prada bags -- like the demure Diagramme bag first launched in 1995 -- rework classic shapes and fabrics to appeal to today's sophisticated customers. Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's favorite demure tote has been reinvented using rich leather dyes, powdery pink and blue and powdery blue.
Authentic Prada bags feature a triangular logo plaque attached to their exterior. The plaque has four lines of text: the brand's name (PRADA) and the city of origin (MILANO) and the year of production and the coat of arms. The plaque should be placed flat against the bag. It should never be removed or wiggled.
A genuine Prada bag has a special brand stamp on the interior liner. The letters should be all capitals serifs, and the right leg of the letter 'R' must be angled upwards. This is a key characteristic to look for as it can make it easier to distinguish between fakes and genuine Prada bags.