An Authentic(ation) Moment in 3, 2, 1.
It’s the unspoken question in the back of everyone’s minds. The most important factor as you contemplate your potential investment in that new to you Holy Grail Bag. More than the price tag, potential resale value, and even subtle wear and tear, what you really want to know is… is it authentic?
And understandably so. Recent press around counterfeits from even the most trusted resale sources has shed an uncomfortable light on just how difficult it can be to properly authenticate ultra-luxury products. After all, ultra-luxury brands are not only the most expensive and sought after, but they are also the most highly counterfeited.
The counterfeit market is a sophisticated one. There are so many nuances that go into authenticating each piece, that you could literally write a book on it. In fact, I thought, someone really should write a book on it.
And after speaking with FASHIONPHILE Founder Sarah Davis, I learned that that’s basically what they did.
“Authentication is the foundation of our business. Yet none of the brands that we sell offer training in the authentication of their product. Harvard or Stanford don’t offer degrees in handbag or fine jewelry authentication. So we created our own. ”
This wasn’t something that happened overnight, and what’s more, it’ll never be finished. With each new season, monogram design, and textile, the library of intel expands and becomes more intricate.
“At FASHIONPHILE University, we have spent decades compiling a full curriculum and training program that utilizes not only the detailed catalog of information that we’ve compiled over the years- meticulously noting usage, changes, and updates in textiles, hardware, fonts, stitching, and serial, registration and date codes. At the same time, we’ve dedicated significant time and money to the development and utilization of the most cutting-edge technology available.”
Like a coveted scholarly journal, not just anyone can tap into the high-fashion almanac. It takes trained specialists who are dedicated to ongoing education and have gained a high level of fluency in brand authentication.
“…every single item that comes through our doors is inspected by our team of highly-trained authenticators- trained in that particular brand or category. GIA-trained gemologists and horologists authenticate every piece of fine jewelry and watch. If you are certified to authenticate Gucci, that does not mean you can authenticate Hermes, for example. These specialists spend all of their time dedicated to continuing learning and authentication.”
Like any true expert, FASHIONPHILE authenticators are specialists. Because their training is focused on a carefully-curated, relatively short list of brands, it’s possible for them to master the nuances of each fashion house’s signature.
But perhaps the most important lesson here? When you’ve really got it, you don’t mind giving your word — and never going back on it.
“ Authentication is a science. And we’ve taken a methodical, strategic, and carefully calculated approach to ensure that each and every item we sell is authentic. We offer a 100% lifetime authenticity guarantee that what you buy from FASHIONPHILE is authentic.”
With the authentication puzzle solved, pre-owned luxury is the clear winner. That’s not just a brazen claim: the data shows it. It’s why Google ranks FASHIONPHILE as one of the top 10 trending Fashion brands online, neatly stacked right between Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too, has clearly never been to a FASHIONPHILE Showroom.
