Differences Between Real and Fake Lanvin Curbs
Tongue Authentic Lanvin Curb sneakers are easily recognizable by their extra-wide and extra-thick tongue. The tongue has a noticeable heft to it, but is soft and squishy when you squeeze it. It’s also wider than the soles of the shoe, which stretches the sides of the shoe outward. Signs the shoes are fake: The tongue is narrow and thin, and the same width as the sole or narrower. The tongue may not feel as substantial or plush, either.
Tongue label The underside of the tongue on real Lanvin Curbs features a black label with “MADE IN PORTUGAL” printed in white. The European size is printed directly underneath it in white, too. The label itself is neatly stitched without any frayed edges, and the lettering is clear and uniform. Note: Lanvin makes most of their shoes in Portugal or Italy. Some Curb sneakers may read “MADE IN ITALY,” but Portugal seems more common for these models. Signs the shoes are fake: The shoes are made in a different country other than Portugal or Italy, the label isn’t black, and the lettering isn’t white. Lanvin sneakers only come in regular European sizing (35 to 49 for men and women), so any half sizes or variations (like adding “W” for Wide) mean they’re fake.
Logos A real Lanvin Curb sneaker features embossed “Mother and Child Daughter” logos in 2 places on the shoe. The first place is on the inner corner of the toe box, close to the laces, and is bordered by a circle. The second place is on the outer side of the shoe and right next to the heel counter. Signs the shoes are fake: The shoes are missing the “Mother and Child Daughter” logos, or they’re placed in the wrong spots. The logos may appear poorly embossed, making them difficult to see, and missing key details.
Tongue plate The front of the tongue on authentic Lanvin Curbs features a large silver plate that’s engraved with “LANVIN” on top and “PARIS” directly under it. The plate has a metallic sheen, but isn’t overly shiny. It has a rounded border and is surrounded by neat stitches. It’s placed towards the top of the tongue, just a bit under the strap at the very top of the tongue. Signs the shoes are fake: The silver plate appears too shiny, too big or small, or the wrong shade of silver. The borders of the plate may look sharp or poorly made, and the lettering may appear poorly engraved, too.
Midsole All real Lanvin Curbs have a line of stitches going through the top of the midsole, which is the base of the shoe. The stitches are straight and the same length, giving the line a super clean look. The stitches are also made with the same color string as the color of the midsole. Signs the shoes are fake: There is no stitching around the midsole. If the stitching is there, the stitches may appear uneven or irregular, or a different color from the midsole.
Stitching Lanvin Curbs are luxury sneakers, so they're made with the greatest care and precision. All of the stitches around the shoe are straight, tight, and uniform, and use the same color of string as the material they’re holding together. No stitch appears out of place, and there isn’t any visible fraying, either. Signs the shoes are fake: The stitching appears poorly done, with uneven lines, irregular stitches, and frays. The color of the string might not be the correct color.
Material The outside of most Lanvin Curb sneakers is made from genuine calf leather, which gives them a high-quality look and feel. The lining is mostly made out of polyamide, a type of plastic, which gives the shoes lots of structure and support. Signs the shoes are fake: The outside of the shoe isn’t made out of leather and instead looks or feels plasticky. If the outside of the shoe appears to be leather, it may look rough and low quality.
Toebox Authentic Lanvin Curbs have a unique toebox with an asymmetrical design. The toebox is bordered by a different colored leather that forms a curve around the inner part of the shoe. The toebox also features a perforated design, with evenly spaced holes pierced through the material in straight lines. Signs the shoes are fake: The asymmetrical border is poorly made or appears too thick or thin. The holes in the perforated design may appear poorly cut (frayed edges, unevenly sized holes, etc) and not made in a straight line.
Laces The laces truly stand out on Lanvin Curbs, as they’re super wide and very long. Most laces feature a colorful woven herringbone design. The ends are unwoven, though, and have a frayed design. The laces are very well made, with no apparent errors, and the design is uniform and straight. Note: Some Lanvin Curbs have laces made out of other materials, like mesh and fur. The laces are mostly decorative—a second set of normal-sized laces is hidden under the large ones, which you use to tighten the shoes. Signs the shoes are fake: The laces are narrow or not as wide, the design isn’t even or consistent, or the craftsmanship is of poor quality.
Eyelets The eyelets, which are the pieces that the laces go through, are super unique on authentic Lanvin Curb sneakers: they’re oval-shaped, rather than circular, and very large so the laces can fit through them. They’re also made out of a high-quality metal material. Signs the shoes are fake: The eyelets are more circular or appear to be made out of plastic.
Insole The insole, or insert, is embossed with “LANVIN” across the heel in real Lanvin Curbs. The embossing is clear, and the lettering is precise and uniform. Depending on the shoe’s colorway, the insole may be white or black. Signs the shoes are fake: The insoles do not have “LANVIN” embossed on them, or the impression isn’t well done or difficult to read. It may use the wrong font, or the letters may appear too large or small.
Weight Given their size, it’s no surprise that Lanvin Curbs have a bit of heft to them. These shoes are pretty heavy compared to other sneakers and feel substantial while you’re wearing them. Signs the shoes are fake: The shoes feel light or insubstantial.
Packaging Simply getting a pair of Lanvin Curbs is a luxurious experience. The sneakers come in a light blue box with “LANVIN PARIS” embossed in black in the center. The box has a magnetic flap that you lift open, and the shoes are simply wrapped in white tissue paper inside. The box also includes 2 cream dustbags (with “LANVIN” printed in the center), which are usually placed on top of the shoes. Note: Lanvin does not provide certificates of authenticity with their products. If your box does include one, the shoes are likely fake. Check for a product sticker on one of the short sides of the box. This sticker lists the sneaker’s model, colorway, and size, so ensure the information matches the shoes you ordered. Signs the shoes are fake: The box is the wrong shade of blue, or the “LANVIN” embossing looks incorrect (wrong font, size, placement, etc). If the box doesn’t include the 2 dustbags, it may be fake, too.
Price Lanvin is a luxury brand, so their shoes are pretty pricey. New Curb sneakers cost between $990 and $1,500, depending on the style. Used Lanvin sneakers may cost less, but they’ll still be priced around $300 to $600. Signs the shoes are fake: They’re significantly cheaper than new or used Lanvin Curbs. For instance, Curbs around or under $100 are very likely to be fake.
How to Avoid Buying Fake Lanvin Curbs
Buy sneakers from Lanvin or a reputable retailer. To ensure you get your hands on authentic Lanvin Curbs, shop at a Lanvin store or buy sneakers from Lanvin’s website. Lanvin also sells their sneakers at some authorized retailers, like Saks Fifth Avenue. If you’re shopping for pre-owned Curbs, check out reputable companies like GOAT. If you’re looking for replicas, fashion communities like r/FashionReps can help you find quality dupes that look pretty close to the real thing!
Compare images of the sneakers to photos of the real shoes. If you’re shopping for Lanvin Curbs online, look closely at the provided pictures. Inspect the tongue, the logos, the stitching, the laces, and the overall construction to help ensure they’re the real thing. Then, compare the photos of the shoes to images of the real thing (like on Lanvin’s website) to see if anything else looks out of place. If any key details are missing or something about the sneakers just seems off, buy from a different seller. Remember to pay attention to the price, too. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is, and the sneakers are likely fake.
Buy sneakers from a well-reviewed seller. If you’re shopping for shoes on an online market like eBay, it’s important to ensure that the seller is trustworthy. Look at the seller’s star rating and then read through their reviews to see if people are happy with the products they received, or if they raise any red flags. In general, stay away from sellers who have poor ratings or who have made very few sales. If the seller looks legit and the photos of the shoes check out, aim to buy them with a credit card. In the unfortunate event that the Curbs are fake and the seller refuses to give you a refund, you can submit a dispute with your credit card company to get your money back.
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