How To Spot a Fake Fendi Peekaboo
When you’re eyeing up a Fendi Peekaboo, you’re not just buying a bag—you’re investing in a piece of fashion history. Read my full review here
Silvia Venturini Fendi designed the Fendi Peekaboo. It made its debut on the runway in 2008, and then was available to purchases from S/S 2009.
As one of Fendi’s most coveted designs, the Peekaboo is a must-have for any luxury handbag lover. But because of its popularity, it’s also a big target for counterfeiters. You’d be surprised at how many fake versions are floating around on the resale market. I have seen very, very good ones and very, very bad ones.
Knowing how to spot the real thing is key—not just for your wallet - though this is the biggest reason, (imagine spending £1,200 on a counterfeit!!), but it’s for your peace of mind. A counterfeit might look pretty at first glance, but the differences in craftsmanship, leather quality, stitching, and hardware placement can be a dead giveaway. These tiny details matter when it comes to maintaining the value, longevity and elegance of such a high-end investment.
Buying a genuine Peekaboo ensures you're getting that luxurious, timeless quality that Fendi is known for. But - who wants to pay full price…not me! So, lets navigate the resale market together.
I am excited because this Peekaboo is my first handbag that has come with its own raincoat. I haven’t got the raincoat out of its packaging yet because I didn’t want to spoil it. I know, how silly!
Let’s quickly talk sizing we have: nano, mini or small, medium, large.
Do not get the nano or the large
In my opinion you should not get the nano (unless money is no object for you and you would like a tiny bag). If you want a cute small bag that is good for everything - get the small. The micro is pointless. It is SO small. It a phone holder, a pencil case… unless you are mega rich, do not waste your money on this bag.
The medium is work bag tote size. I have carried a laptop + charger (laptop stood on its side) makeup bag, hairbrush, notepad, wallet, airpods, keys and bunch of flowers. I was worried it would break and I did cradle it like a baby at one point - but it was fine!!
How to Confirm Your Fendi Peekaboo is the Real Deal: Key Details to Check
Interior Pocket
You might think this is a strange place to start but this is going to seriously help you. I missed this tiny, nearly invisible detail the first time around. Believe me counterfeiters do not bother to add small details in like this [unless it’s a super fake!]
Begin by pulling the interior pocket inside out and you will notice black ‘FENDI’ stitching which hits the light at different points as you move it.
2. Hardware
A) The Bags Feet
The bottom of the bag has five feet.
All of the feet are engraved with the signature FF. The engraving is not deep but lightly stamped on, (Note: This engraving is different to elsewhere on the bag)
The FF sits perfectly in the centre - it does not slope down the slides - which happens a lot on counterfeit products.
The feet sit 1cm in from the front/back seam and 1.2cm in from the side of the bag.
The central foot is exactly that, dead centre. It is positioned 4cm in from the front/back of the bag and 16.5 cm in from the side.
B) The Screw Stud
This enables your bag to ‘peekaboo’ when you undo it. Unlike other designer handbags, this is a genuine screw, not like the mock screw heads you see on the likes of a Lady Dior.
Note: The FF engraving is thinner and deeper then it is on the feet. Also notice again the FF fits perfectly on top - the lettering is not sloping down the sides.
C) The Bags Closure
For those that read all my posts. I do love to get a measuring tape out. Counterfeiters trip themselves up on the bags closure due to a number of factors:
The wrong size & shape of the closure, counterfeiters make it too chunky and not as rectangular as the real deal.
The exact measurements are as follows:
The black hardware measures 6.4cm (W) x 2.5cm (H)
The gold toned twist closure block which has the Fendi twist closure on top of it measures 4.1cm (W) x 0.9cm (H)
The gold toned twist closure block which has Fendi engraved on it measures 2.5cm (W) x 0.9cm (H)
The closure hardware does not lay flat - it is curved up at the edges. If your closure lays flat on the inner hardware - step away!!
C) ii) The Bags Closure Fendi engraving
Pay close attention to the positioning of the FENDI. It is positioned (if we are being super pedantic) 0.4-0.5cm down from the top, and 0.2cm from the side.
The FENDI engraving is 1 cm (W) x 0.2cm (H)
Pay close attention to the spacing of the letters
Also notice that the FENDI is engraved deeply - unlike counterfeits which lightly etch it on.
On fakes the FENDI lettering tends to be thicker.
D) MADE IN ITALY & SCREW HEADS
The screw heads are 4mm (w) and 4mm (h). They are flat headed screws. They are different to the other screw heads on the bags. These are round headed. Counterfeiters just use all the same. Again, they are actual screw heads - not mock.
The MADE IN ITALY is 1mm (H) x 1.1cm (w).
This photo is unhelpful. I have tilted the hardware up so as not to get my camera in the reflection. BUT… the MADE IN ITALY is not positioned dead centre. It is actually positioned 3mm from the top, and 2mm up from the bottom of the plate. This is the same on both inside plates on the bag. It is the little details people!!
E) Screw heads on the central panel.
There are eight in total and they all look like this. Notice they are domed.
F) Top Handle Hardware
This is not a flimsy attachment. It feels like the handle has real security and is firmly secured in position. If your bag really jingles and feels loose. - please question this!
Fendi is stamped on the left on one attachment, and the right on the other.
The Fendi is 0.8cm (w) and 0.2cm (h)
G) Hardware on the Detachable Shoulder Strap
Ok, first up this is something the counterfeiters forget. You will see a MADE IN ITALY engraved on the back of the buckle. It is tiny and perfectly centered.
The circular clasp has is 3cm x 3cm.
Notice when the clasp opens & closes it slots together like a jigsaw - again, another small detail not featured on the fakes.
Fendi is engraved on one side only. The Fendi is 0.8cm (w) x 0.2cm (h)
H) Fendi Plaque Hardware
This piece of hardware is fixed onto a leather rectangle
The leather rectangle is 7 Stitches (H) x 10 Stitches (W)
The hardware is 3 cm (W) x 1.8cm (H)
The Fendi lettering is 0.4cm (H) X 1.2cm (W)
The Fendi is positioned 0.6cm down from the top; and 0.7-0.8cm up from the top. It is not dead center.
I) Zip
This is the last feature I am covering relating to the hardware - the zip! Well done for staying with me.
Due to the structure of the bag it is very hard to see the underneath of the zip! It took me 20 minutes, of trying to bend the leather back to see it. (turning on lights, iphone torch etc etc). This led me to discover another big give away of a fake - if the leather crumples/bends super easy and is very pliable - it will likely be a fake, especially if its not that old. The leather on a peekaboo is very structured, firm and hard to bend.
The back of the zip slider features the FF this is raised - not engraved! Dupes mix this up all the time!
There is a little copyright symbol in the right hand corner
The zip slider has a tiny triangle at the bottom of it.
The bottom stop on the zipper features the FF logo.
Finally the zipper pull, is a D ring with a leather tab attached to it.
3. Stitching
The stitching on this bag is brilliant. The uniformity is second to none.
Exterior = 3 Stitches = 1.2cm
Interior = 3 Stitches = 1cm
4. Serial Number & RFID
Ok, so Fendi has a few things going on.
The Peekaboo was available to buy one year prior to the introduction of RFID. So a few will be in circulation without this.
RFID
In 2010 Fendi introduced RFID – this is a scannable chip they placed in their bags. It has all the information about where the bag was made and when. This is helpful to Fendi – but not the resale market as we don’t have a device to read it! But, neither do the counterfeiters (so at least that is a small win)
This is located in the interior zip pocket on the right hand side. If you attempt to bend this tag gently it sounds like ‘crunching plastic’ I hope that makes sense!
It is sewn into a black fabric tag that measures 2.4cm (h) x 4.2cm wide.
The tag reads:
FENDI
ROMA
This is stitched onto the tag using a cream (not bright white) thread. There is a line of stitches running along the bottom.
If you run your fingers over the FENDI stitching you’ll feel very pliable but still firm piece of something – that’s the chip!
The back of the tag reads
RFID LABEL REMOVABLE
ETICHETTA RFID RIMOVIBLE
Then an eight digit number is stitched into it upside down.
SERIAL NUMBER
Now scoot over to the other side.
You will find a leather tab measuring 6cm (h) x 0.9cm (w).
This piece of leather has been folded over and finished at either end. Therefore the back is the same smooth black leather as the front. (not rough!)
The edges are pointed but not overly sharp.
This has an embossed 16 digit code – separated by dashes.
The first 6 numbers/letters followed by a dash, then 3 numbers/ letters match the product code on the Fendi Website. The dash 3 numbers, dash 4 numbers
They change the middle four letters depending on the season. (it will match the bags store tag if yours came with it)
Then the pattern is three numbers dash then four numbers.
NOTE: This configuration has changed in 2024!
and that’s it. I really hope I have given you some guidance on navigating the resale market and armed you with all the knowledge on buying a Fendi Peekaboo pre-loved.
Alice xxx
