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Published October 2026 · Contact
How to Authenticate Lanvin Curb Sneakers When the Marks Get Copied
The Curb is Lanvin's chunky sneaker: a stacked, layered upper with oversized, flat-woven laces, a thick moulded sole and eyelets set into raised loops of leather. It comes in many colourways, so there is no single "correct" Curb to match against, and that is part of why it is copied.
What we see in our records is that counterfeit Curbs copy the marks well. Interior labels, the embossed outsole, the "LANVIN PARIS" tongue plaque and the side logo can all be reproduced closely enough that a pair looks right in a photo of each. So "real vs fake" for this shoe is not a hunt for one wrong stamp. It is a matter of comparing a pair against genuine examples of the same version, and noticing a small number of details that are less often copied. This guide covers the Curb only. We do not cover Lanvin clothing, bags, flats or other sneaker models here.
Worth knowing
This guide is built from verified genuine Lanvin Curb pairs. We do not yet have enough confirmed counterfeit Curbs to publish a full real-vs-fake comparison, so we do not rank checks or call anything decisive. When we do, this guide will be upgraded. Use it to learn what genuine pairs show, and remember that a matching mark proves nothing on its own: fakes copy marks.
How a Genuine Curb Is Built
The pairs in our records share a construction, whatever the colour.
- Layered upper: panels of smooth leather, grained leather, suede or mesh, with cut-outs and raised loops around the lace eyelets.
- Wide, flat-woven laces: a thick patterned braid, often in a contrasting colour, threaded through the loops.
- Rubber toe cap and heel panel: a ribbed, moulded cap at the toe and a triangular moulded panel at the heel.
- Thick moulded sole: speckled on some colourways, plain cream or white on others.
- Tongue plaque: a rectangular raised plate reading "LANVIN" with "PARIS" beneath it.
Colours, laces and sole finishes vary between releases, so a different colourway from the one in a photo is not a reason for doubt.
The Marks That Fakes Copy
These are present on the genuine pairs in our records. They are also copied, so each one tells you what to expect, not whether the pair is real.
The tongue plaque
A raised rectangular plate with "LANVIN" in capitals and a smaller "PARIS" beneath it. Its finish varies by colourway, from silver-toned to a tonal lilac or grey, so judge it against a verified pair of the same colourway.
The outsole
Genuine soles in our records carry "LANVIN" embossed in a chequerboard-textured panel, with a round mother-and-child emblem on the toe-side tread. Fakes reproduce the embossing, so a correct outsole proves little.
The side logo and insole emboss
On genuine pairs the mother-and-child logo appears on the side panel, either printed or blind-embossed depending on the colourway, and "LANVIN" is blind-embossed on the top of the insole. The same logos sit on many counterfeit pairs. Their shape and colour vary by colourway, so we do not use them to judge a pair.
Interior Label Formats
Genuine Curbs in our records show more than one label format. Neither is a tell by itself, and both have been copied.
- A black printed label reading "HP 806", the size and "MADE IN ITALY". We have not confirmed what the code means.
- A woven black tape reading "MADE IN PORTUGAL" and the size, sewn inside the shoe.
- A newer printed sticker with the size in EUR, a model line such as "FM-SKRK11-DOTS-P23 1300", a second code line and "MADE IN ITALY".
Both Italy and Portugal appear on genuine pairs, so the country of manufacture is not a reason to doubt a pair. We have not confirmed what the code lines mean or how they date a pair, so we do not use them to date one.
What to Check Under the Insole
This is the one observation in our records that goes beyond "the marks match". It comes from a small number of pairs, so read it as an observation and not a rule.
On the genuine Curbs we reviewed with the insole taken out, the underside was a smooth, plain surface, with "LANVIN" on the top face only. On several counterfeit Curbs we reviewed, the underside looked different: a moulded, contoured footbed carrying factory-style stamps, or a printed board with supplier-style markings. Fakes copy the "LANVIN" emboss on the top of the insole, so the top face tells you nothing. The underside is where a difference has shown up.
Two cautions. We have seen the underside of only a limited number of genuine pairs, so a genuine pair from another release or factory might look different. And a plain underside proves nothing: a counterfeit can have one too. Treat a stamped or moulded underside as a reason to compare the pair against a verified one and to get it checked, not as a verdict.
Laces, Finish and Wear
Frayed lace ends and loose threads appear on worn genuine pairs as well as on counterfeits, so they are not evidence either way. Weight, the feel of the leather and the stiffness of the sole are checks done with the pair in hand. Compare them against a verified pair of the same colourway.
What a Matching Mark Does and Does Not Prove
A tongue plaque, a sole emboss, a logo and a label can each be copied, and the ones in this guide are only what the genuine pairs in our records show. A matching mark proves nothing on its own, because fakes copy marks. Matching every detail above does not prove a pair is genuine, and a different detail does not prove it is fake, because the Curb comes in many versions. Judge the whole pair against a verified pair of the same version. For other chunky sneakers, see our Balenciaga sneakers guide and the general sneaker authentication guide, and our Lanvin authentication page shows the photos we need.
When to Get a Professional Opinion
A Curb sells for a significant price, and counterfeit pairs copy the visible marks. If you are about to buy one, or the listing does not show the insole removed, get a second opinion before you pay. LuxeDetect authenticates sneakers with a 24-hour turnaround, a verdict from a specialist and a Certificate of Authenticity. Send clear photos of the whole pair, the tongue plaque, the interior label, the outsole and the insole removed from both sides.
A code that checks out doesn't prove the item is real. Counterfeiters copy genuine codes.
Our authenticators check the labels, stitching, sole and box of your Lanvin against verified references, from $15. You get a verdict within 24 hours, and a Certificate of Authenticity if the item passes.
Authenticate My Lanvin →Related guides
- Balenciaga sneakers authentication guide
- Giuseppe Zanotti sneakers: what a genuine pair looks like
- Sneaker authentication guide
FAQ
How can I tell if my Lanvin Curb sneakers are real?
No single mark proves it. Genuine Curbs show a "LANVIN PARIS" tongue plaque, an embossed outsole, an interior label and a blind-embossed insole, and counterfeits copy all of these. Compare the pair against a verified pair of the same colourway, look under the insole, and get it checked if the purchase matters.
Can I authenticate Lanvin Curb sneakers from photos?
Yes. What decides it is how the plaque, outsole, labels, insole and construction fit together against verified pairs, because any single mark can be copied. Photos of the insole removed, both sides, are useful. A professional review is the safer route on an expensive pair.
Does "Made in Italy" or "Made in Portugal" mean my Lanvin Curb is fake?
No. Both appear on genuine Curbs in our records, so the country on its own is not a tell.
What should the underside of a Lanvin Curb insole look like?
On the genuine pairs we reviewed it was smooth and plain, with "LANVIN" on the top face only. A moulded, stamped or printed underside appeared on counterfeits we reviewed, but we have seen too few genuine pairs to call it a rule, so use it as a prompt to look closer.
Does this guide cover other Lanvin products?
No. It covers the Curb sneaker only. Lanvin clothing, bags, flats and other sneaker models are not covered, and we will add them when we have the evidence.
Are frayed laces a sign of a fake Lanvin Curb?
No. Loose threads and frayed lace ends appear on worn genuine pairs too, so they do not tell you whether a pair is real.
