LegitGrails Academy
LegitGrails Academy: luxury handbag authentication courses
Video courses for buyers, resellers and authentication staff who want to check Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci and Hermès bags or Rolex watches themselves. Taught by working authenticators.
5 brands
LV, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Rolex
3 levels
Foundational to Expert
Working authenticators
TheRealReal, Cudoni, Handbag Clinic
Academy at a glance
5
luxury houses: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès and Rolex
13
courses: three for each handbag house, one for Rolex
3
levels: Foundational, Advanced and Expert
20–29
lessons in each course
~1 hour
of video per level (1.5 hours for LV Advanced and Rolex)
8
subtitle languages, auto-translated
10+ years
Rachel Allen's experience in luxury authentication
2–3
free lessons on every Foundational course
Figures from the live course pages, November 2026.
Why learn
What we see in bags sent to us
Of the bags sent to us for authentication in the past year, nearly 1 in 5 was counterfeit.
People send us bags they have doubts about. These ratios describe those bags and say nothing about the resale market as a whole. They do show how often a bag that looks right at first sight needs a closer look.
The courses teach the checks our authenticators run on every bag: branding, stitching, materials, hardware, codes and stamps. One detail rarely settles it. The skill is reading them together.
Counterfeit share by house, past 12 months
- Chanelmore than 1 in 5
- Louis Vuittonabout 1 in 5
- Gucciabout 1 in 6
- Hermèsabout 1 in 7
How we count. Bags only, sent to us in the past 12 months. Final authentic and counterfeit verdicts only; items we could not verify are excluded. Ratios are rounded, and we don't publish totals.
Choose your house
Five houses, each taught by one instructor. Every Foundational course starts with free lessons: 3 for the handbag houses, 2 for Rolex.
Louis Vuitton
Instructor: Alessia Pasquariello
25 lessons · 1 hour of video
Foundational $199 USDor 4 × $49.75
About 1 in 5 Louis Vuitton bags sent to us in the past year was counterfeit.
Chanel
Instructor: Rachel Allen
27 lessons · 1 hour of video
Foundational $199 USDor 4 × $49.75
More than 1 in 5 Chanel bags sent to us in the past year was counterfeit.
Gucci
Instructor: Rachel Allen
26 lessons · 1 hour of video
Foundational $199 USDor 4 × $49.75
About 1 in 6 Gucci bags sent to us in the past year was counterfeit.
Hermès
Instructor: Alessia Pasquariello
27 lessons · 1 hour of video
Foundational $199 USDor 4 × $49.75
About 1 in 7 Hermès bags sent to us in the past year was counterfeit.
Rolex
Instructor: Yong Shen
29 lessons · 1.5 hours of video
Foundational $299 USDor 4 × $74.75
What each level teaches
Foundational covers branding, materials, popular models and codes. Advanced goes into construction, hardware and how fakes have changed. Expert covers exotic materials, special pieces and the hardest fakes. Rolex has one course, at Foundational level. Module names below are taken from the course pages.
Louis VuittonInstructor: Alessia Pasquariello
Foundational $199 USD
25 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Branding & Monogram
- Made in Labels & Hot Stamps
- Popular Louis Vuitton Models
- Canvas & Textile Overview
- Stitching Fundamentals
- Artistic Collaborations
- Interior Details & Linings
Advanced $299 USD
24 lessons · 1.5 hours of video
- In-Depth Material Overview
- Stitching & Reinforcement
- Evolution of Fakes
- Bag Construction
- Hardware & Zippers
- Capucines Authentication
- Limited Edition Authentication
Expert $299 USD
24 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Super Fakes
- Exotic Materials & Special Orders
- Where to Buy Louis Vuitton Safely
- In-Depth Hardware
- Vintage Aging
- Authentication Myths
- Packaging
ChanelInstructor: Rachel Allen
Foundational $199 USD
27 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Chanel Brand History
- Branding & Country of Origin
- CC Branding & Stitching
- Popular Chanel Models
- Materials & Lining
- Serial Numbers & Age Verification
- How to Buy Resale Chanel Safely
- Collateral & Packaging
Advanced $299 USD
24 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Logo Fonts & Variations
- Hardware & Engravings
- Métiers D'Art
- Serial Codes & NFC Chips
- Stitching & Construction
- Fun Facts About Chanel
- Alterations & Wear
Expert $299 USD
24 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Exotic & Rare Materials
- CC Locks & Screws
- Hang Tags
- NFC Chips & Serial Codes
- Zippers & Hardware
- Bag Comparisons
- Authentication Cards
GucciInstructor: Rachel Allen
Foundational $199 USD
26 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Gucci Brand History
- Logo & Branding Essentials
- Style Numbers & Serial Codes
- How to Buy Resale Gucci Safely
- Materials & Textiles
- Hardware & Signature Details
- Bag Comparisons
- Vintage Authentication
Advanced $299 USD
27 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Branding Exceptions & Special Marks
- Gucci Collaborations
- Hardware & Engravings
- Collateral & Packaging
- The Gucci Museo
- Style Numbers & Production Dating
- Bag Comparisons
- Stitching, Trim & Construction
Expert $299 USD
20 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Exotic Materials & Finishes
- Prints & Collaborations
- Data Matrix Code & NFC Tags
- Sales Tag
- High-Quality Fakes
HermèsInstructor: Alessia Pasquariello
Foundational $199 USD
27 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Hermès Brand History
- Logo, Fonts & Heat Stamping
- Handbag Construction
- Hermès Extra Models
- Leathers & Materials 101
- Date Stamps & Serial Codes
- Hermès Artisans
- Packaging & Collateral
Advanced $299 USD
26 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Stitching and Construction
- How to Buy Pre-Loved Hermès Safely
- Hardware and Engraving
- Serial Numbers & Blind Stamps
- Fun facts about Hermès
- Model Comparisons
- Evolution of Fakes
- Leather Aging & Patina Development
Expert $299 USD
25 lessons · 1 hour of video
- Exotic & Rare Materials
- Hermès as an Investment
- Hardware & Modifications
- Limited Editions & Special Order Bags
- Super Fake Detection
- Common Myths
- Industry Insights
RolexInstructor: Yong Shen
Foundational $299 USD
29 lessons · 1.5 hours of video
- Brand History
- Rolex Popular Models
- Anatomy of a Rolex
- Serial & Reference Number
- Cyclops Lens & Date Magnification
- Movement and Case Back
- Dial Details and Font
- Rolex Engraving & Guarantee Card
Louis Vuitton date code
Try a worked example
Here our team reads a Louis Vuitton date code. A date code is usually two letters and four digits pressed into the leather.
A code places a bag in a week and names the factory country. It does not prove the bag is genuine. Both codes in this pair use real French factory letters, so the code alone settles nothing.
Worked example
DU3192
From 2007, digits 1 and 3 give the week and digits 2 and 4 give the year.
- Factory
- DU Factory letters for France. They should match the "Made in France" stamp.
- Week
- 3_9_ → week 39
- Year
- _1_2 → 2012
Made in France, in the 39th week of 2012.
From March 2021, Louis Vuitton began replacing printed date codes with an embedded chip.
Louis Vuitton Foundational includes a module called "Made in Labels & Hot Stamps".
Your instructors
Bios as they appear on the course pages.
Rachel Allen
Teaches Chanel and Gucci
A Decade of Experience: Over 10 years of experience in luxury authentication, specializing in the authentication of luxury handbags, ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, and accessories.
From Design to Authentication: Background in fashion design and construction, and insider knowledge in luxury authentication at TheRealReal
Mastering the Insights: Expert knowledge of garment and accessory production
Alessia Pasquariello
Teaches Louis Vuitton and Hermès
Resale Market Expertise: Several years of hands-on experience with resale platforms and auction houses, including roles at Cudoni and Handbag Clinic.
Luxury Handbag Specialist: In-depth knowledge of authenticating, buying, and selling luxury handbags, with a strong eye for construction and craftsmanship.
Market-Savvy Perspective: A solid understanding of luxury market trends and consumer behavior across both primary and secondary markets.
Yong Shen
Teaches Rolex
Luxury Authentication Background: Four years of experience authenticating watches, bags, jewellery, apparel, and gemstones, with training received in Japan
Award-Winning Expertise: Winner of an authentication contest in the first year, showcasing strong skills early in their career
Passionate Watch Collector: Deep knowledge of timepieces through collecting, appraising, and trading, with insights regularly shared on LinkedIn
What you get
The same set with every course, at every level.
-
Video lessons
About 1 hour per level, 1.5 hours for LV Advanced and Rolex.
-
Quizzes
After most modules. Mostly image-based.
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Final exam
Tests what you can spot on your own.
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Completion certificate
When you finish the course and pass the exam.
-
Slides
For every module, so you can revise without rewatching.
-
Subtitles
English, auto-translated for most materials into Arabic, Filipino, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish.
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Lifetime access
One payment. Rewatch any lesson whenever you need it.
-
Pay in 4
Split any course into four payments at checkout.
Prices in US dollars
One-time payment, lifetime access. All prices are in USD.
Foundational
$199
USD per handbag course · or 4 × $49.75
Start here. 3 lessons are free.
Advanced
$299
USD per handbag course · or 4 × $74.75
After Foundational for the same house.
Expert
$299
USD per handbag course · or 4 × $74.75
After Advanced. The hardest material.
Complete house bundle
$637.60
USD · all three levels of one house · $797 (20% off) · or 4 × $159.40
Bundles: Louis Vuitton · Chanel · Gucci · Hermès
Rolex Foundational
$299
USD · or 4 × $74.75
The one Rolex course. 2 lessons are free.
Who it's for
Buying your first bag
Know what to look at before you pay, and what to ask the seller. Start with Foundational for the house you're buying.
Reselling
Check stock before you list it, and explain your call to buyers. Advanced adds construction, hardware and how fakes have changed.
Working toward an authentication job
Build brand knowledge before you apply. Employers such as GOAT, Vinted and Value Creation train new hires themselves, so read what the job ads ask for first.
Training a team
Give new staff the same baseline across five houses, with quizzes and a final exam.
The certificate
You get a certificate when you complete a course and pass its final exam. Here is exactly what it means.
What it is
- Proof that you completed the course.
- Proof that you passed its final exam.
- A record of the house and level you studied, for your CV or LinkedIn.
What it isn't
- A license to authenticate. No such license exists.
- An industry accreditation. There is no accrediting body for luxury authentication.
- A job guarantee. Recognition varies by employer.
Employers such as GOAT, Vinted and Value Creation train new hires themselves. A course gives you brand knowledge and practice before you apply. See what authenticator job ads ask for
Training a team? Write to support@legitgrails.com and tell us your team size and the houses you handle.
Learn free first
Our free articles and tools cover the basics. The courses go further, with practice and an exam.
Article
How professional authenticators check a designer bag
The 5 layers of evidence, in the order authenticators use them.
Can you learn authentication from video?
You can learn what to look for and practice on real examples. The courses include video lessons, exercises, quizzes and a final exam that checks what you can spot on your own. Handling bags in person still builds judgment, and the course gives that practice a structure.
Do superfakes make it pointless?
No. Superfakes are closer copies, and they still get details wrong in materials, construction, stamps and hardware. The Expert courses for Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Hermès each have a module on them: "Super Fakes", "High-Quality Fakes" and "Super Fake Detection". How authenticators catch superfakes
Is the certificate recognized?
It shows that you completed the course and passed the final exam. It is not a license or an industry accreditation, because neither exists for luxury authentication. Recognition varies by employer, and employers such as GOAT, Vinted and Value Creation train new hires themselves. What authenticator job ads ask for
Which level should I start with?
Start with Foundational, even if you already know the house. It covers the branding, materials, models and codes that Advanced and Expert build on. Every Foundational course has free lessons (3 for the handbag houses, 2 for Rolex), so you can try the format before you pay.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. Every course purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Write to support@legitgrails.com within 30 calendar days of your purchase to ask for a full refund. If you pay in 4, a refund is only possible within 30 calendar days of the first payment and before the second payment is charged. If you have completed more than 50% of the course, the request may be denied. Read the refund terms (section 14)
Do I need to own the bag?
No. The lessons use photos of real and fake pieces, including tricky cases from real authentication requests, so you can practice without owning any of them.