I bought this beauty from Designer Exchange

This post is to help you authenticate a YSL Kate Velvet Small Tassel Bag.

I'm pretty certain this bag is now discontinued in the velvet. They do sell YSL Kate 99 in Suede - but this is not the same bag. It's longer and I don't think it's anywhere near as pretty.

I think this is honestly the perfect evening bag. I love it. It is utterly timeless. Read my full review here.

I know it's boring - but you have to look for the tiny details in order to spot a fake. In my opinion the counterfeiters have got pretty good at replicating the classic YSL styles. So, it's the tiny, tiny details that will help you.

This bag made its debut in 2010. It is named after the one and only legend that is Kate Moss. The bag is available in two styles: one without a tassel and one with. It comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. It comes in leather (various styles), satin, velvet (discontinued), suede, sequin (Kate 99). But, let’s focus on the Kate Velvet Small Tassel Bag. Dare I say it… unpopular opinion. I think the leather version looks a little whispers cheap. I am sorry, I am sorry if you have this bag (each to their own, I am sure I own many bags people do not like).

The biggest tip I could give you for authenticating this bag is to check where on the bag the ‘NT’ touch when ‘Saint Laurent’ is engraved or stamped. Read on to find out how.

Contents:

1. First look

2. Stitching

3. Hardware

YSL Logo

Tassel

Eyelets

4. Chain

5. Magnetic Closure Clasp

6. Serial Number

7. Heat Stamping/Embossing

8. Paperwork

Authenticity cards

9. Dust Bag

1. FIRST LOOK

-The velvet is a seamless continuous piece of material that covers the flap and the main body of the bag.

-The stitching is almost invisible

-This is a small detail but look at the bottom of the bag. It's curved, not flat - but still stands upright by itself.

Size:

The bag is 20cm wide x 14cm high.

2. STITCHING

-There is no row of stitching along the interior top of the flap.

-The stitching on each side of the flap finishes 3mm from the top.

-The stitches are very small and neat. 5 Stitches per cm

-The stitches are tiny, and nearly invisible. If you can see your stitches really obviously, or they are quite large – put the bag down, and run.

-The interior leather pocket has 2 x 2 stitch squares in each top corner. Again, this is a very small detail and counterfeiters don’t include this.

-Notice the double stitch which brings all the pieces together at the front of the bag.

YSL Kate Tassel, No stitch along the top

YSL Kate Tassel, Interior Pocket - tiny square of stitching

3.HARDWARE

YSL LOGO

The YSL hardware has 4 tiny mock nail heads in the corner of the letters. 2 at the top of the Y, 1 at the bottom of the L and 1 at the bottom of the S.

‘Y’ –

The left line of the Y is thicker than the right. The right line appears to run over the top of the S, whereas the left line of the Y appears to run underneath the S. The bottom of the Y runs over the top of the S.

‘S’ –

The S starts narrow and becomes thicker in the middle. The placement of the ‘S’ runs under the top of the right ‘Y’ then through the left side ‘Y’. it then cuts through the S (seemingly underneath) then it runs through but over the top of the L, then back behind the L.

‘L’ –

Note the slope of the L. The top of L is wider and becomes narrower at the bottom. The horizontal leg of the L becomes wider where the mock nail head is placed.

But, I think counterfeiters have this nailed the YSL hardware now if I’m honest…. So read on.

TASSEL

The tassel has SAINT LAURENT on the front and PARIS on the back. Please note the PARIS is smaller.

The ‘NT’ touch, on both SAINT and LAURENT

The SAINT LAURENT sits roughly 2mm from the bottom and 5mm from the top. It is not centred.

It is not shiny. It is a dull gold tone. (almost brass like)

It is fixed to the logo securely and does not swing or move from side to side. However, It does move up and down.

It is attached to the YSL Logo by a coat hanger looking attachment (it’s the only way to describe it!!)

EYELETS

These will say SAINT LAURENT PARIS on them.

The 'NT' does not touch.

The only other occasion on this bag where the 'NT' does not touch. Is on the magnetic bag closure.

The back of the eyelets on the inside of the bag are blank.

4. CHAIN

The chain is heavy.

It is not shiny. It is a dull gold tone. (almost brass like)

The chain has a small gold toned rectangle on it. It is 2cm (w) x 1 cm (h).

This will say SAINT LAURENT. It is engraved in black. The writing is thin. The NT touches.

The back has a small hole. If you push into this with a pin the chain can be detached. This is for cleaning purposes. [note only one side of the chain is detachable]

5. MAGNETIC CLOSURE CLASP

The top closure has a lip. This means it is not a perfect circle.

The bottom closure will say SAINT LAURENT PARIS on it. Note: The 'NT' does not touch.

The only other occasion on this bag where the 'NT' does not touch is on the eyelets.

Remember the PARIS is always a smaller font.

6. SERIAL NUMBER

-YSL uses serial numbers. This really helps against counterfeiters.

-This is stamped into the inside pocket. This is stamped on the leather - not the textile.

-The leather pocket is sewn SO TIGHTLY that you can't really open it . I was worried I’d break the bag trying to read the serial number. But, with the help of an iPhone torch and nearly a neck strain I managed it.

-Big Flag - if you can pull the pocket away from the bag, and see the serial number in seconds with no issue, I would be worried its a fake. I could not get a photo - that is how sewn down the pocket is.

The Stamp is upside down – but the right side up if you are pulling the pocket back /down to read it? Does that made sense?

But, use your fingers and you should feel a 10 digit row of numbers - then MADE IN ITALY stamped underneath. (reading it the correct way up)

Example serial number - GLT 4*4***6 - 0517

-Note: newer models have 10 digits, older have twelve digits.

-First 6 digits denote the style number

-Next 4 digits are the date code

7. HEAT STAMPING/EMBOSSING

-The bag has two SAINT LAURENT PARIS stamps in gold.

-The first stamp is located on the interior flap. It’s located 7mm down from the bottom of the magnetic clasp.

Saint Laurent uses sans-serif font

Paris is in serif font.

The NT are touching at the top.

The R in SAINT LAURENT has a curved right leg.

The R in SAINT LAURENT has a straight right leg.

-The second stamp is on a leather tab which is sewn onto the interior leather pocket.

-The leather tab is 5cm (w) x 2cm (h)

-The SAINT LAURENT PARIS is embossed in gold with MADE IN ITALY stamped underneath (no foil).

8. PAPERWORK [not all second hand bags come with this - so don't panic if yours doesn't!]

AUTHENTICITY CARDS

-TIP: Run your finger across all the branding. It should be raised and you can feel it.

-The little blank envelope comes in a plastic wallet. The plastic bag will have BAG MADE IN ITALY printed in capitals in black. The recycling sign with 05 and PP on the same line.

-You will receive a square of material your bag is made from. This will be in a padded square envelope. It measures 4 x 4 cm.

-There is a little black booklet with care information. This has SAINT LAURENT PARIS on the front. The back has a code on it.

-There is a further black booklet which tells you the manufacturer may have equipped this bag with an identifying tag.

-A further card saying 'This certification authenticity guarantees your saint laurent product against all manufacturing defects'

-The white card which has all of your bags information / style numbers /date on. The SAINT LAURENT PARIS on the front will not be raised. This is printed. Look at this closely. The edges are rough as if it's been torn. (like when you get raffle tickets). The edges are not smooth. If it looks cut. Then it's a fake.

9. DUST BAG

Ok this Dust bag is high quality.

-25 cm in height x 29cm in width

-It has a white care label on the inside reading ‘SAINT LAURENT MADE IN ITALY. Roughly ½ way down the bag.

-It is 100% cotton and cold hand wash only.

-It has a drawstring closure. The drawstring only closes at one end and the piece of string is continuous. (a loop) it is not two pieces you tie together.

-The bag is black and the lining is white.

-The logo is the standard SAINT LAURENT. It does not feature PARIS. Written in the centre of the bag.

-Double loop stitching with a straight stich running above.