(ETA: It has come to my attention that the ‘Chicago Tribune‘ has mentioned Bagaholic 101 in their article ‘Is that handbag real, or fake? Here’s how to prove your designer bag is the real thing‘. Thank you very much, Ms. Ellen Warren for the feature and recognizing this Ultimate Gucci Guide!)
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material | vintage serial number | rounded tag serial number | rectangular tag serial number | exterior | hardware | zipper | lining | seams | vintage gucci and gucci accessory collection | gucci outlet | gucci plus | case study 1: gucci abbey bag | case study 2 : gucci soho bag | case study 3 : gucci dionysus bag
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After the Gucci Soho Disco bag, this section of BAGAHOLIC 101’s “Ultimate Gucci Guide” presents the most popular offering from Alessandro Michele since he took the helm at Gucci.
The Gucci Dionysus bag with its tiger head closure references the myth of the Greek god Dionysus when he transformed himself into a tiger to carry a young nymph across the river, which then became the Tigris river.
Gucci Fall/Winter 2015 Ad Campaign Featuring Gucci Dionysus shoulder handbag
Carried by the fashion-savvy, the Gucci Dionysus launched a thousand knock-offs. With this guide, we will be applying the lessons from our ‘Ultimate Gucci Guide’ series for tips to differentiate between a fake and authentic Gucci Dionysus bag.
Monogram Pattern
Fakes are getting better with their bags. As you can see from the monogram canvas below, they are learning how to line up their GG patterns.
(All photos can be clicked to zoom for more details)
Monogram Canvas Straight Alignment
However, if you look closely upon this Gucci Dionysus medium bag, a few details are amiss. If you run an imaginary line from one end of the flap to another, you will see the cut-off GG on both ends. There’s also 11 set of GG from end to end.
Number of GG on Monogram Canvas
For the fake bag, you can see that it is lopsided. This is one thing you should look closely when buying bags on Ebay. However, admittedly, some fakes do get this right like what I mentioned in other parts of this guide.
Alignment of GG at the bottom of the Monogram Canvas
Chain Handle
From the chain handle, it gets easier to distinguish a real and fake Gucci Dionysus bag. Unlike a Chanel bag that is usually intertwined with leather, the chain handle of a Gucci Dionysus will most like dig on your shoulders.
Nevertheless, you will notice that this fake has the links of the chain wrong.
Chain Handle Link Details
Compact vs Narrow Chain Handle Link Details
There are also some fakes, like the one below, which almost gets the correct type of chain links. However, upon close inspection, you will see the difference in sheen and finish, as the the real Gucci Dionysus’s chain handle will be evenly polished as compared to the finish of the fake one. It even has some “bubbling” of the metal, as if it was not properly cast and cooled off.
Chain Handle Finish
Dionysus Hardware
As mentioned in the first paragraph, the tiger becomes a recurring motif for Michele. The Gucci bangle below was enlarged and reworked as the distinguishing hardware of the Gucci Dionysus bag.
Vintage tiger head Gucci bangle from the 1970s, inspiration of the Gucci Dionysus hardware
Going back to the present-day Dionysus hardware, the untrained eye will not see subtle differences. The details on the real Dionysus tiger head hardware are more sharp.
Double Tiger Head Hardware
Tiger Head Hardware Detail
Another Comparison of the Tiger Head Hardware Detail
Aside from the tiger head, you should also pay attention to the details of the diamond on the top of the curved hardware.
Difference of the Diamond Detail of the Tiger Head Hardware
Another Comparison of the Diamond Detail of the Tiger Head Hardware
Leather Tag and Serial Number
If you have reached this part from the ‘Ultimate Guide Series’, you know by now that contemporary Gucci bags are using rectangular leather tags with two rows of serial numbers.
Even with those very good replica Dionysus bags on the outside get at least one of the leather tags and serial numbers below:
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 493348 362688
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400235 136028
Another Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400235 136028
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 403343 0202
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 432694 110998
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400249 6589
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 403348 1368
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 421970 1965
What about the next one? Well, this is tricky. Have a closer look.
Fake Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400249 9527
For the untrained eye, yes, it might pass as an authentic Gucci bag. But what I have been always telling readers, it helps to get an ensemble of decisions — stemming from several elements of the bag.
The good fake above came with these fake inclusions, with the Controllato card misspelled as Comtrollato.
Gucci Comtrollato Instead of Controllato
But this card can always be lost, and/or discarded, right?
But another giveaway is the zipper. If you remember the post on Gucci zippers, particularly on the D-metal head, you will have more evidence that this is not an authentic Gucci Dionysus bag.
Difference in D-Metal Head of the Zippers
The following leather tags are from authentic Gucci Dionysus bags. These bags came from several materials (suede, coated canvas, leather, etc.), thus making it difficult to discern on some especially the suede ones.
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 421970 204991
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 421970 520981
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400235 520981
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 400249 001998
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 403348 200047
Real Authentic Gucci Dionysus Leather Tag and Serial Number 448075 204991
A lot of Gucci styles are as popular as the Dionysus these days (such as the Padlock and the Marmont). More guides for Alessandro Michele’s bags will be available soon.
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‘ULTIMATE GUCCI GUIDE’ SECTIONS:
My grandmother just passed away and she had 2 Gucci bags. I am trying to figure out if they are real or fake. I have taken pictures. I was wondering if you could help me.
Hi Shira, first of all, I am sorry to hear of your family’s loss. My sincere condolences.
As for the Gucci bags, you may upload the photos on Imgur or Tinypic and post the link on the comments.
Thank you so much,
I hope this works.
https://m.imgur.com/a/0yaFgEo
Hi Shira! These are beautiful vintage Gucci bags! The vintage Gucci Bamboo Top Handle and the Gucci Web Stripe with Diamante lining are both authentic!
Hi, I shopping for the gucci dionysus small taupe bag. Was wondering if i can send pictures of bags from 2 sellers to authenticate before i proceed with purchase foryour help with authentication. Thanks in advance for all your help.
Hi Sandra! Please upload photos on Imgur or Tinypic and paste the links here for me to check. Cheers!
I have a large vintage suitcase that I would like to get authenticated. I have read your website which is fantastic but mine doesn’t seem to fall into it the serial number is one straight line. Does that rule it out from being an authentic Gucci? The bag is nice heavy I cannot imagine someone filling it up and carrying it. If it is authentic I would would like to sell it. Any help would be appreciated
Hi Rita! Please upload photos on Imgur or Tinypic, then put the URL here. Thanks!
Hi…Trish here again…I found the website to share pics of my
Gucci bag with you… here’s the link
https://imgur.com/a/nKidoYF
Hi Trish! Sorry for the late reply. This ended up in my Spam folder. This suede Gucci bag with serial number “95107 002058” is authentic. Cheers!
Hi Bagaholic ! I came across your blog while I was trying to figure out if my second hand purchased Gucci Dionysus suede bag is authentic or not. People were claiming the bag is fake because the logos on the tag is very blurry? Compare to the authentic tags. And I do agree since it does differ from my other authentic Gucci purse I own. But other than the tag, all the other details that’s were mentioned ( zipper head, hardware, chain) are all identical to the authentic one on your post. Can you please take a look into the photos ? Oh and I also called the Gucci store the seller claims to purchase the bag. And the store confirmed the customers name phone number and purchased model.
Thank you so so much in advance !
https://imgur.com/a/U8NRRCQ
Hi Kate! In my opinion, this Gucci Dionysus bag is authentic.
Hi There! i am super hesitant to buy this bag off of eBay – can you tell me if this is real??? I am getting mixed reviews that it’s real and fake!
Hi there! Can you tell me if this dionysus bag from eBay is real?? I am concerned and a little worried about buying off of eBay because there are so many bad fakes!
Hi There, Can you tell me if this dionysus bag is real off of eBay?? I get so concerned because there are soo many fakes out there!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gucci-Dionysus-medium-GG-shoulder-bag-Authentic-Mint-Condition/332831574648?hash=item4d7e4eca78:g:Ht8AAOSw4UlbuNae:rk:27:pf:0
Hi Stephanie! In my opinion, this Gucci Dionysus in Supreme Canvas with serial number “403348 525040” is authentic.
Hi bagaholic! I purchased this Gucci dionysus mini as linked below. Can you tell me if it’s authentic? Thanks!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GUCCI-DIONYSUS-GG-SUPREME-MINI-Taupe-Beige-Shoulder-Bag-/183493088685?txnId=1880898851008#vi__app-cvip-panel
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GUCCI-DIONYSUS-GG-SUPREME-MINI-Taupe-Beige-Shoulder-Bag-/183493088685?txnId=1880898851008#vi__app-cvip-panel
Hi! Can you tell me if this bag is authentic? Thanks!
Hi Maria! I need clear photos of the serial number. So far, I am not seeing red flags, so best to see this to be sure. Cheers!
Hi could u tell me if the bag is real the serial number is 400249 520981
Hi Leigh! For this free Gucci bag authentication, I will be needing clear photos of the Gucci bag, especially the Gucci marking inside the bag. Please upload on Imgur or Tinypic, and put the links in your comment. Cheers!
Hi and thanks for your awesome information. I was hoping to get an opinion on the serial numbers printed into the actual leather – two rows of numbers printed in a straight line. I am looking to buy a second hand Dionysus Blooms wallet on chain and also the mini bag in this same print. Both of these have the imprinted logo. Do you have any insight or would you mind taking a look? I am looking at two options and one has two 6 digit numbers and another has a 6 plus 4 digit number.
Hi Barbara! For this free Gucci bag authentication, I will be needing clear photos of the Gucci bag, especially Gucci marking inside the bag. Please upload on Imgur or Tinypic, and put the links in your comment. Cheers!
Hi Bagaholic!
I received this bag on Ebay and it looks really good but the only thing that worries me is the key ring (print seems shallow but I don’t know how consistent Gucci is) and maybe the gap of leather below the stitching which is located under the serial number. Could you please help me authenticate? Thanks!
https://imgur.com/a/YOjAekt
Hi Toby! Please attach photos of the Gucci leather tag and the serial number. Cheers!