How to Spot: Lacoste L.12.12

I received a message from someone (I prefer not to post her name) asking me to check her Lacoste L.12.12 . She gave me pictures of the bag that she has so I started looking at it, Since I don't sell Lacoste items I read the articles on the internet and ask some of my friends about the bag. So here are some of my observations and researches that I found. I will post first the pictures that I have seen on Lacoste website will post soon the pics from the reseller.

Here the things that we should know about AUTHENTIC Lacoste L.12.12 tote bag:

Tag 

• The back of the tag should have a listing of details about the bag (e.g. PVC, cow hide      trimmings, Size: Large shopping bag)
• The front of the tag which has the Lacoste letters should be bigger and slim.

 Straps

• The straps are made with garter that is why authentic Lacoste L.12.12 is so soft and flexible and the stitching is fine no crooked lines.

Zipper Reach (up to where your zipper can reach)

• The zipper should almost be at the edge of the bags please see pictures attach for comparison.

Zipper Brand

• Older versions of Lacoste L.12.12 used YKK as their zipper but most of the zipper used today has a capital M engraved. The letter M should not be crooked and wide.

Zipper Handle

• The letters engraved at the handle should be light and shallow.

Ribbon Binder (the white cloth that you see with the Lacoste letters)

• It should be slim not thick, clean and seamless.

xoxo,
All that are written here is base on my readings and researches. I am not an authorized authenticator of any brand but since BAG is my passion I am really keen on details specially spotting the not.

An MK experience

Michael Kors or MK has known to be a world class brand all over the world and also one of the most counterfeited brand. I just saw this post on Facebook about she was scammed so I take a look at it. Please see photo below what I have found.

Since I am an online seller and I am selling authentic bags also, it caught my eyes and started a chat with her. I also used to bring my items to MK Rockwell to let them check that my MK bags are 100% legit so that my clients would be at ease when purchasing from me. I am really sad that more people are getting scammed and the seller will not be held liable. That's why I created this blog for you guys to have just a small knowledge on spotting the knock offs. Ms. Kai Sy allowed me to grab her pics and post it here. (below are the pics that the MK bag she bought)

MK have a smooth and fine stitching not crooked like this one. So this is FAKE.

There is no button like that as seen on the picture in every MK bags that you will purchase. SO this is FAKE.

MK buckle should have insignia's its written in bold MICHAEL KORS. So this is FAKE.

To sum it all it is really so frustrating that many people are still saying that they sell legit stuff but their not and many people who trust them get burned. So I'm still asking the seller to let me know her side of story so that this issue will be fix. As we say it in Tagalog "Kawawa naman ang taong nag labas ng pera". Please make time to read my post about How to spot the not: Michael Kors
www.howtospottheknot.blogspot.com

Cleanig a BRASS material

We are getting out of the box again. We will have a step by step tutorial in how to clean and maintain the brass hardware on your precious bags.  I have brass problems on my bags ever since. It's really annoying to see faded or tarnished brass hardware on your bag but i have found and read few articles on how to clean and maintain the beauty of your brass hardware. I have tried it and for sure will also love the results. Lets first start by knowing what brass means.
Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.^[1] It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other within the same crystal structure. (info is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass)

Now that we know what brass means we proceed knowing how to clean a brass material:

• Cleaning Brass material using Metal Polish or Brass Polish (paste form)
• Use a clean white soft cloth.
• Before polished wipe away the dirt on the hardware.
• Apply a small amount of Metal polish on your white cloth. it should be sufficient enough to cover the brass material that you will clean.
• If your cleaning a tiny brass material you can also use a cotton ball or the tip of the cotton buds.
• Don't let the cleaner touch your leather, vinyl or canvass bag it may form discoloration and can ruin your bag. If in case you will have it in your bag just wipe it off as quickly as possible.
• Cleaning Brass material using Ketchup
• Apply a small amount of ketchup in your soft cloth or enough amount to clean your brass hardware.
• Rub the ketchup on the tarnished are of the hardware that you need to clean.
• Did you know that the acid from the tomatoes are strong enough to take away the tarnish of the brass hardware but soft enough to damage it.
• Use a dry cloth to remove the ketchup to your brass hardware and with a damp cloth after.
• Buff it continuously with a dry cloth and in a circular motion. 
• I read this at http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Brass-Jewelry 

I have use these two mean in cleaning my brass hardware to my Michael Kors Bags and Tommy Hilfiger. I hope this could help you clean your brass hardware in your bag and your bag can be beautiful again.  We will be posting pictures soon, will clean again some of my bags :)

Bagista Filipina's: What's in your Bag? Promo

Since we are celebrating 1 year of success on online business. We decided to have a give away ti give back and thank all our avid liker, loyal followers and the never ending support of our clients. We launch it last February 17, 2014 and the promo will end this coming March 31, 2014. We will only choose 3 lucky winners. Please see mechanics and prizes that awaits below:

Album cover for the promo.

Prizes that awaits for our lucky winner.

If you want to join please read above :)

We hope everyone wins but only three winners will be chosen. Hurry you can still join!

1 year na kami ng B.F. ko.. (an anniversary sale)

Let's get out of the box for now by checking online SALE!!!! Bagista Filipina is celebrating one year of success in online selling that's why they have offer a 3 day sale starting March 15-17, 2014. Many are wondering about the the tag line of the anniversary sale "1 year na kami ng B.F. ko..." it's just a way of teasing our curious mind and really a clever one to advertise a sale and an annversary.

            
               Posted below are coupon code for sale items happening on Saturday until Monday. 

                                       Let's all Party and celebrate with us as we turn 1!

How to SPOT: THE NORTH FACE

• Always check for the tag inside the bag it should be the holographic tag or the, The North Face Red tag. (please see below pics)
• For bags like Big shots and small shots the back portion should be foamy or you could check and squeeze it if it has foams.
• Check the zippers, it should be YKK.
• The R in North Face is a distinguish one.
• North Face are made from: China, Vietnam, India, USA, El Salvador  and Spain. 

North Face uses YKK zipper.

You can see the white tag inside beside it is a holographic tag. There is also another tag which has a red North Face tag I haven't seen any but will try to search for one.

All North Face backpack has a whistle on the back portion of the bag.

Compare this logo to the logo below try looking at the "R".

The letter R is a very distinctive letter in North Face bags.

How to SPOT: BURBERRY

Burberry Nova Check Tote Bag

• Mostly Burberry tote bags are made in PVC also known as Vinyl Coated Canvass. It's a leather like texture and stain free.
• Another area that you should take inconsideration is the pattern of the bag it should be perfectly horizontal and vertical lines or stripes. Line should be clean or no smudge.
• Inside the bag, inside tag should match the lining color of the bag.
• Zipper have two color, Gold or Silver only
• The brand of the metal zipper should be: Lampo, Riri and YKK
• Where does Burberry are made? China, Romania, Poland, Spain, India, Italy, England and US.

Will post pictures soon.