Anyone who buys or collects a Louis Vuitton bag, especially on the vintage and second-hand market, almost always comes across a small code imprinted inside: a discreet initials, often not very visible, but of great importance. Let's see what it is, what it's really used for, and how to interpret it correctly. What is the Louis Vuitton internal code (Date Code)? The Louis Vuitton internal code is commonly called the date code. It is not a unique serial number, but a production code used by the Maison for: indicate place of production indicate the period (month and year) of realization manage internal traceability and quality control It does not uniquely identify a single bag, so multiple bags can have the same code. What it is for (and what it is NOT for) It is used to: Date the bag (year and month of production) Identify the country or factory Correctly contextualize a vintage model Support authentication (along with other elements) It is NOT used to: prove by yourself that the bag is authentic trace the name of the first owner certify the originality in an absolute way A bag can have a correct date code and still be fake!! Where is the code located? The position varies depending on the model and era: inside on a leather tab on the inside edge or in a pocket stamped directly onto the lining in newer models, it may no longer be present In vintage bags it is often hidden and difficult to read: this is normal. How to read the Louis Vuitton code The format of the code has changed over time. 1) General structure (1980s – 2020s) It usually consists of: 2 letters → place of production 2 or 4 numbers → month and year Example: FL1023 FL = France 10 = October 23 = 2023 (in the last years before the introduction of microchips) 2) Older codices (1980s – early 1990s) sometimes just numbers month/year order reversed less standardized formats This makes older bags more difficult to interpret, but also more interesting to collectors. From 2021: microchips and the end of visible date codes Since around 2021, Louis Vuitton has progressively replaced the date code with an internal RFID microchip (we can detect it with our Entrupy authentication device): not visible readable only with dedicated tools contains production and traceability data New bags may therefore not have any codes printed on them, and this is perfectly normal. Code in authentication: how much does it really matter? In the professional authentication process, the date code is only one of the elements analyzed, together with: materials (canvas, leather, stitching) font and text spacing quality of the stamping model, historical period and coherence of the code smell, weight, stiffness of materials An incorrect code is a warning bell, but a correct code is not an absolute guarantee! Why it is important in vintage luxury In the luxury vintage world, the date code is essential for: evaluate rarity place the bag correctly in time distinguish a collector's item from a more recent one support transparency towards the customer For collectors and investors, correct dating is integral to value. Conclusion The internal code of a Louis Vuitton bag is a valuable clue, not absolute proof. It is a tool for historical reading, contextualization, and authentication support, especially essential in the vintage market, but must always be interpreted with expertise and a comprehensive vision.

What "made in" should be on a Louis Vuitton bag? In the world of Vintage Luxury, one of the most frequent doubts concerns the authenticity of Louis Vuitton bags bearing the “Made in Italy” tag. In fact, many enthusiasts and collectors associate the brand exclusively with the words Made in France , generating suspicion when the origin is different. The answer is clear: yes, a Made in Italy Louis Vuitton bag can be absolutely original. Let's see why. Louis Vuitton: a European production, not just French Although Louis Vuitton is historically a French brand, its production has been relocated within Europe for decades, in full compliance with the maison's quality standards. In addition to France, Louis Vuitton also regularly produces in: Italy Spain Germany United States (for the American market) The Made in Italy label is therefore official, legitimate, and perfectly consistent with the brand's production chain. Why does Louis Vuitton produce bags in Italy? Italy is universally recognized as one of the world's centers of artisan excellence, in particular for: leather processing quality control manufacturing of luxury accessories Louis Vuitton relies on highly specialized Italian ateliers, often dedicated to: leather bags structured models specific collections or seasonal lines The result? The same level of quality, the same materials, and the same controls found in the French factories. Made in Italy ≠ fake: beware of false myths A very common fake on the second-hand market is this one: “If it's not Made in France, it's not original” This is a wrong statement!!! Counterfeiters often exploit this very belief to confuse the customer, but: Louis Vuitton has produced and still produces Made in Italy bags the wording is perfectly compliant with the brand's official policies How to verify authenticity (beyond “Made in”) The country of manufacture alone isn't enough to establish the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton bag. Proper authentication relies on a combination of factors: Date code / microchip (based on year of production) Font, spacing and alignment of the internal tag Quality of stitching (regular, symmetrical, never burred) Materials (canvas, leather, metal) Consistency of the model with year and place of production A Made in Italy bag with all these coherent elements is original in every respect. The Collectible Value of Louis Vuitton Made in Italy From the point of view of collectors and investors, the Made in Italy label: does not penalize the value does not reduce desirability does not negatively affect resalability In some cases, specific models produced in certain Italian ateliers are even more sought-after, thanks to the quality of the leather workmanship. Our guarantee as a Luxury Vintage e-commerce In our e-commerce every Louis Vuitton bag: it is selected with rigorous criteria It is carefully checked for authenticity is described transparently, including the wording Made in For us, trust and information are an integral part of the value of each item. In the world of Luxury Vintage, knowing these details makes the difference between an unfounded doubt and an informed purchase. If you'd like to learn more about our authentication processes or have questions about a specific model, our team is always available.

Heritage Collection When a bag becomes history and value There are objects that are born to be used. And then there are others that, with the passage of time, cease to belong to the present and begin to move on a different plane: that of history, rarity, and value. The bags that make up our Heritage Collection are not simple vintage accessories. They are out of production goods , selected because they are no longer replicable, and for this very reason increasingly sought after by collectors and aware investors. Time as an ally In contemporary luxury, everything happens quickly: capsules, drops, and continuous restocking. In collectible vintage luxury , however, time does not consume: select . A bag that is no longer in production: cannot be restocked it cannot be remade identically cannot be artificially “relaunched” The offer has ended. Demand tends to increase over time. This is where time stops being a neutral factor and becomes a value multiplier . Collectibles, not just bags Many models in the collection belong to key periods: eras when materials were more durable creative seasons not driven by mass marketing historical moments linked to artistic directors, techniques and proportions now archived These bags didn't follow a trend , they defined it. And it is precisely this distance from the present that makes them attractive over time. The house, before the era of “replicable luxury” The collection includes archive pieces signed by some of the most important fashion houses: Hermès – craftsmanship, limited production, historically stable value Chanel – increasingly rare vintage models, with strong collector interest Louis Vuitton – lines and combinations now definitively out of print Gucci – Pre-Relaunch Contemporary Bags, Increasingly Sought-After Dior – historical silhouettes linked to specific creative eras The brand is a foundation. The model, year and rarity make the difference. The concept of investment Over time, some vintage luxury bags have proven to act as alternative safe havens : they are not subject to productive inflation they do not depend on seasonal fashion cycles they maintain value thanks to scarcity Unlike a new bag, which loses value the moment it is purchased, a vintage bag that is no longer in production: has already passed the depreciation phase can maintain value In some cases, it may be revalued, especially when: the model is iconic or rare, production has definitely ceased and the state of conservation is good the authenticity is certain and documented Signs of time as assets In collecting, a light patina is not a defect. It's a signature of the times . Each bag comes with: accurate description of the condition real and detailed photographs transparent indication of any signs of use Because value, in the long term, also comes from credibility . Wear, keep, pass on These pieces can be: worn as a gesture of style and culture preserved as a tangible asset passed down, because true luxury is not ephemeral In any case, they remain finite objects in a world of infinite replicas . Who is the Heritage Collection dedicated to? To whom: collect wisely look for value, not just image recognizes the potential of rarity This is not a collection for impulse buying. It's a collection for those who think in time . Discover collectible Gucci python bags