How to Spot a Fake Stella McCartney Camera Bag [circa 2019 & 2021]
Ok, the good news with this bag is that counterfeiters don't seem to pay a lot of attention to this bag. Therefore, it is quite easy to spot a fake if you know what you are looking for,
As always what makes a bag authenticate in 2019 is not the same for later seasons. Stella has changed it up over the years - and with some style features she has gone full-circle!
Quick Honest Review: This bag is the perfect size for walking around the city on weekends. It can fit: small purse, keys, mason pearson hairbrush, lipstick (Anastasia Beverly Hills Tease/lipgloss), concealer, gloves (and bose over ear headphones at a push - if you jam them in). It is a nice bag.
I have two of these bags. I bought the black bag new in 2019. I have used it a decent amount. It started to look very tired in 2022 - which is not good. The bag loses its structure when the faux leather softens and the edging is already looking a bit shabby. The faux leather has also started to peel on the zip pull. For the same price bracket - in hindsight - I'd prefer the Aspinal of London Mayfair Midi in Croc Black (but not the lighter colours). But then, I really, really like structured bags - it frustrates me when the bags material leather/faux starts to soften and slouch and crease - that's why I've held off the latest Fendi Baguettes - I do not trust that leather - it is too soft and not supported - that's got creasing written all over it. In fact, I’ve seen that bag on resale platforms and it has got creases along the front, where the bag has folded in on itself - due to not being stuffed.
Aspinal of London Website (A Kate Middleton Favourite)
But, the tan coloured bag I bought in 2021 is a different story. The faux leather feels firmer, and sturdier. It is a lot more structured and not as soft. My thoughts are that Stella has had a play around with this bag over the years. (But, also to caveat this I have not used this bag as much as the black one. Maybe I should review in three years and we will see)
Let’s go!!!
Contents:
1. Shape & Size
2. Perforated Stella McCartney Logo
3. Shoulder Strap
4. Date Code/Style Number
5. Care Label
6. Stella McCartney Logo Heat Stamping
7. Zips
1. Shape & Size
This bag is rectangular not square.
The bag has grown in size over the years.
2019 (black) - Height 16cm, width 20cm, depth 5cm, strap length 99cm, strap drop 52cm
Autumn 2021 / March 2022 (tan) - Height 17cm, width 21.5cm, depth 5cm, strap length 99cm, strap drop 52cm. (it's bigger by a cm each way)
Stella McCartney, Camera Bag
3. Perforated Stella McCartney Logo
This is located on the front of the bag. In 2019 the holes are smaller than the newer 2021-2022 collections - but the amount of dots that make up each letter remains the same across all seasons. YES I COUNTED THEM!!!!
S - 14, T - 9, E -13, L -7, L - 7,
[The L's have short tails]
A - 7, [The A is not a full A, the additional dot is directly in the middle 3.5 dots up],
M - 17,
c - 10, [Lowercase] C - 13,
A -7 [This is facing the opposite direction to the other A]
R -14, T - 9, N - 15, E - 13, Y -9
Stella McCartney perforated logo, Autumn 2019
Stella McCartney perforated logo, Spring 2021
4. Shoulder Strap & Tag
Shoulder Strap attachment
This looks like a luggage tag.
It is attached to the bag using a push stud.
In 2019 the back of the push stud is not exposed.
In 2021 the back of the push stud is visible
But, 2023 has come around and we’ve reverted back. The push stud is no longer visible at the back
There is a leather loop that the tag threads through. Please note the stitching quality is poor. Poor Stitching is not indicative of a fake bag.
Stella McCartney, Camera Bag
This happened roughly into 6 months of me owning the bag.
Always pay attention to stitch detail. This single stitch has been looped over a lot. (more so than I can count)
Shoulder Strap
The straps border matches the colour of the lettering and is 2mm thick
In 2021 the Shoulder Strap is 4.2cm wide.
In 2019 the Shoulder Strap is 4cm wide.
It has Stella McCartney printed on it twice in full. It then also has a 'S followed by a line of black stitching and then a ‘T’ to end.
The strap is adjustable and can be made into a shoulder bag, or crossbody.
Stella McCartney Shoulder Strap 2021
Stella McCartney Shoulder Strap 2019
It is adjusted using the gold toned hardware. This has perfectly curved edges.
5. Serial Number/Style Number
2021-2022
You will find this inside the interior pocket on the left hand side (if you are looking at the bag with the logo facing towards you).
The serial number is printed on a square black material label tag. It is printed in a silver foil. It has a second square black tag behind it.
The 1st Tag Code Reads:
SP21 –
700072
W8542
The numbers highlighted yellow are the style code.
This style code is printed on the clothing tag when you buy this bag new. These numbers are not unique.
2019
You will find this inside the interior pocket on the left hand side (if you are looking at the bag with the logo facing towards you).
The serial number is printed on a square white material label tag. It is printed in a black. It has a second square white tag behind it.
The 1st Tag Code Reads:
700072
W8542
AU19 – I this this means Autumn 2019.
The numbers highlighted yellow are the style code.
This style code is printed on the clothing tag when you buy this bag new.
The date code is the third line. In 2021 it is now the 1st line.
The 2nd Tag Code Reads;
*95***
15
The numbers highlighted in purple are the supply code number.
This number is also printed on the clothing tag attached to the bag when you buy this bag new.
5. CARE LABEL
2021-2022
There is a care label on the right side of the interior pocket.
This has all your instructions as to how care for the bag/washing etc.
2019
There is no care label.
Stella McCartney, Camera Bag, 2019 interior
Stella McCartney, Camera Bag, 2021 interior care label
6. BRAND HEAT STAMPING
2021
Stella McCartney
Made In Italy
The lettering is very thin and crisp.
This is located in the centre on the exterior of the middle pocket.
The Stella McCartney is located 1cm down from the top of the pocket.
The Made In Italy is spaced 0.7mm below. Perfectly centred. Note the ‘I’ in ‘In’ is capitalised.
Stella McCartney Heat Stamp, 2021
2019
The ‘I’ is not capitalised and is ‘in’.
Stella McCartney heat stamp
7. ZIPS
The zips are blank on the back.
But, there is a 5 engraved on the centre of the zip which pulls the teeth together.
Stella McCartney zip
Stella McCartney zip
8. INTERIOR
The interior pocket goes all the way to the bottom of the bag.
The interior is unlined and faux suede.
