With the rise of online shopping and second-hand sales, it can be tricky to verify if a luxury handbag is authentic or a knockoff. Thankfully, there are now several apps that can help identify designer bags using image recognition and AI technology.
What features do these apps have?
Designer bag identification apps allow you to simply snap a photo of the bag and get an instant authentication analysis. The app will scan the images and compare the details to official brand logos, materials, stitching, engraving, and other markers to detect fakes. Some key features of these apps include:
- Image scanning and recognition technology to analyze details
- Comprehensive designer brand databases with authentic markers
- Instant pass/fail authentication results
- Highlighted details on image to identify points of inspection
- Guide with tips to spot counterfeits yourself
The best apps have databases covering hundreds of designer labels from luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Hermès, Prada and more. They are able to identify bags, wallets, accessories and shoes.
What are the top apps to authenticate designer bags?
Here are 5 of the top rated apps to identify authentic designer bags:
1. Entrupy
Entrupy uses advanced image and pattern recognition technology to provide instant authentication results. The app allows you to scan all sides of a bag and gives a percentage rating on authenticity. It has one of the largest designer databases with luxury brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Gucci.
2. Authenticate4U
Authenticate4U is powered by computer vision and artificial intelligence. The app has in-depth brand guides and provides detailed analysis on what factors make a bag authentic vs fake. You get instant pass/fail results and can easily contact their team of human experts if needed.
3. RealReal
The RealReal app has an extensive designer directory and advanced AI image scanning to spot replicas. The app provides information on materials, craftsmanship, limited edition details and other authentication points. You can easily submit photos to get free authentication from their team of luxury experts.
4. LegitGrails
LegitGrails focuses on sneaker authentication but also covers popular designer shoe brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The app has handy guides on spotting fake details and you can get free digital authentication by uploading photos or using the instant barcode scanner.
5. Good On You
While Good On You doesn’t authenticate, their app allows you to scan any clothing item to instantly see brand ratings on ethics and sustainability. You can check whether your designer labels are eco-friendly, ethical or vegan friendly.
How do the authentication apps work?
The key technology behind designer authentication apps is advanced image recognition and artificial intelligence. Here is an overview of how the apps can identify real vs fake bags:
- Scan photos – You simply need to upload clear photos or scan the barcode to identify a bag. Multiple angles are best.
- Image recognition – The AI technology will analyze the minute details in the photos to compare to authentic markers.
- Brand database – The details are cross-referenced with an extensive brand database of original fabrics, logos, stitching, engraving etc.
- Instant results – You get instant authentication results, usually in the form of a percentage match or pass/fail grade.
- Human experts – Many apps also have teams of human authenticators who can provide final confirmation or help judge tricky cases.
By leveraging powerful image scanning and AI, these apps provide quick and accurate designer bag authentication. The artificial intelligence is able to pick up on subtle details even trained humans might miss.
What details do the apps use to authenticate bags?
The authentication apps use a variety of visible details to determine if a designer bag is real, including:
| Authentication Points | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Material | Genuine leather, fabrics? |
| Stitching | Even or uneven stitches? |
| Colors, alignment, sharpness | |
| Logo | Correct font, size, placement |
| Hardware | Engravings, tarnish, weight |
| Glassware | No cheap plastics |
| Craftsmanship | Neat interior linings |
| Serial code | Matches brand records |
By thoroughly analyzing all these physical details, the apps can accurately determine if a bag matches genuine brand design and production or is a knockoff.
What are the limitations of these apps?
While the designer authentication apps are very useful tools, there are some limitations to consider:
- Depends on clear, high-quality photographs so details are visible
- Difficult to detect super-high quality “superfakes”
- Image recognition less effective on smooth surfaces like leather
- Can’t physically feel weight, texture, flexibility
- Limited brand database – may not cover newer or smaller labels
- Not 100% – human experts still needed to make final call
The apps give a very helpful preliminary authentication but ideally should be used in combination with other verification methods and human judgement.
How can you spot fake designer bags yourself?
In addition to using authentication apps, there are some tips to help spot counterfeit bags with your own inspection:
- Check hardware engraving feels deep and clean lines
- Look for neat, tight stitching with no loose threads
- Inspect inner linings – logos should align correctly
- Feel leather thickness and quality
- Study logo alignment, font, formatting
- Match serial code sticker inside to brand records
- Check zippers move evenly and smoothly
- Confirm buckles, clasps, locks have correct engravings
If anything looks uneven, roughly made or aligned incorrectly – it is likely a replica. Genuine designer bags have meticulous craftsmanship and strict quality control.
How else can you authenticate designer handbags?
In addition to authentication apps and visual inspection, some other tips for verifying real designer bags include:
- Purchase from authorized retailers – buying directly from brand boutiques or approved dealers ensures authenticity.
- Check receipts and paperwork – valid receipts, certificates of authenticity indicate original product.
- Research serial numbers – brands keep records of serial numbers, production years which can be cross-checked.
- Request professional authentication service – services like Entrupy and RealReal offer professional verification.
- Contact the brand – some brands like Louis Vuitton will do free authentication on their products.
Using 2-3 of these authentication methods together provides the highest level of certainty that any designer bag is real.
Conclusion
Designer bag authentication apps provide a quick and convenient first line of defense against counterfeits. Powerful image scanning and AI technology can effectively identify many replicas by analyzing the minute details. However, human experts and physical inspection are still needed for the best accuracy. These apps are a useful complement but should not be solely relied on to authenticate high-end bags. By also doing your own inspection, checking paperwork, contacting brands and using professional services, you can be confident any designer purchase is real.