Pssst, wanna buy a cheap Hermes scarf?

Pssst, wanna buy a cheap Hermes scarf?

Don’t support crime. If you can’t afford the real thing, either start saving, or find a cheaper brand you love.In designer fake news, Harper’s Bazaar have launched their new campaign “Fakes are Never in Fashion” in a bid to stem the tide of counterfeit luxury goods. They’ve also made four of their articles about fakes available to read for free in PDF format. They make for interesting reading:

Why luxury is worth it
The human cost of fakes
The fake trade, wanted for stealing childhoods

Who REALLY does Haute Couture?

Who REALLY does Haute Couture?

The term haute couture is bandied around these days left right and center. But did you know that there is an actual list of haute couture designers that are sanctioned as such by France, and these are the only designers who are the true creators of haute couture. A bit like Champagne (any sparkling wines that don’t come from the Champagne region of France may not be labelled as Champagne but must be sold as “Sparkling White”.

So here’s the list (note that some of these names are great designers of haute couture from the past and are not currently in production). The list changes too, as those responsible sometimes give “guest” status to designers also:

Adeline Andre
Balmain
Chanel
Christian Lacroix
Dior
Dominique Sirop
Elie Saab
Emanuel Ungaro
Franck Sorbier
Givenchy
Hanae Mori
Jean-Louis Scherrer
Jean Paul Gaultier
Josephus Thimister
Lecoanet Hemant
Louis Feraud
Nina Ricci
Olcimar Versolato
Paco Rabanne
Pascal Humbert
Per Spook
Rochas
Ted Lapidus
Thierry Mugler
Valentino
Versace
Yves Saint Laurent

Did you know all those names? Any suprises on which designers are NOT considered haute couture?

Is it real? How to authenticate a Hermes scarf.

There’s tons of “Hermes” scarves for sale on Ebay and masses of fakes too. People pay big money for fakes, some of them can be so convincing that even the seller thinks they are authentic. How can you separate the good from the bad?

The following guide is with thanks to “marietouchet” from the purseblog forums, I found her tips for authenticating Hermes scarfs invaluable:

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Authenticating Hermes Scarfs

STEP 1 If you answer YES to ANY of these questions, then the scarf is likely a cheap fake:

• Is an orange paper price (or product ID) tag attached to the scarf?
• If in an orange box, is the scarf noticeably too small for the box?
• Is the caretag sewn onto a location other at the corner and on the back of the scarf?
• Was the scarf made anywhere but France?
• Is the hem rolled toward the back?
• Is the hem machine sewn?
• Is the caretag fabric or sewing in any color but black or white?
• Is the writing on the caretag in any language but French or English?

STEP 2 If you answer NO to all of the above, then count the number of these items that are already displayed in the listing text or photos

• Copyright mark.
• The words Hermès Paris.
• The title of the scarf.
• The artist’s name or signature.
• An accent over the second e in “Hermès Paris” - it should be Hermès even if the word is in capital letters.

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Using these tips, and the useful reference to all the Hermes scarfs (including the vintage ones) at Luxury Scarves, I spotted an authentic vintage Hermes “Poste aux Lettres” scarf by Hugo Grygkar with a starting price of $8. The seller had no idea what it was, and thought it was a promotional scarf of a relative’s trip to the suburb of “Hermes” in Paris, France! I wasn’t the only one to spot this, and the price went up quickly. I bet that seller's still amazed at what their old scarf sold for!

How to tie your Hermes scarf

When you purchase a silk scarf from Hermes, they throw in a little guide called “Playtime with your scarf” that shows all the classic ties you can do with your scarf, and a couple of unexpected ones too. For instance, did you know that you can make a halter top with your scarf?

But what to do if you purchased a vintage scarf (i.e. not from the Hermes boutique)? Or if you love Burberry, Liberty of London, Oroton or some of the other fantastic silk scarves that are out there?

Have no fear: the little orange book of scarf tying from Hermes is available for download from Hermes with step by step instructions for achieving all the looks.

Playtime With Your Scarf

My favourite that I haven’t tried before: the Ascot. Because there’s no dangly ends it works well with a high necked dress, creating a “scarf choker” effect.

 

* Now updated with new working link.  They moved it on us!