Quick answer
A "phony Constance 24 Epi Noir" is a replica of the Hermès Constance 24, the 24 cm version of the H-clasp shoulder bag, finished in black textured calfskin. Two words in that phrase cause most of the confusion. "Phony" marks the bag as a copy. "Epi" is Louis Vuitton's name for its own cross-hatched calf leather; Hermès uses the name Epsom for a similar pressed grain. Wholesale listings blend the two terms because both leathers are stiff, matte, and forgiving of light scratches.
Constance 24 specs to verify
- Width: about 24 cm across the base
- Height: about 18 cm, excluding the clasp
- Depth: about 8 cm at the gusset
- Closure: a single H clasp in metal or enamel, with no zipper on the flap
- Strap: one long shoulder strap; most versions are fixed rather than adjustable
- Interior: one main compartment plus two flat slip pockets on the back wall
Epsom versus Epi
Epsom is a stamped calf leather that Hermès uses for structured bags, including many Constance units. Its embossed grain is uniform and the surface is pressed, so the bag holds shape and resists water marks. Epi is Louis Vuitton's pressed calf leather, introduced in 1985, with a deeper horizontal grain. A listing that says "Constance 24 Epi Noir" borrows another brand's vocabulary, which tells you the seller is working from a generic spec sheet. Ask which tannery the leather came from and whether the grain is embossed or printed. Suppliers who know their stock answer without hesitation.
hermes forged constance 24 epi noir
How to inspect one, step by step
- Measure the base with a tape. A true 24 cm body sits between 23.5 and 24.5 cm; anything under 23 cm is often a Constance 18 stretched in photos.
- Sight down the front flap. The H clasp should sit level with equal gaps on all four sides. A crooked clasp is the most common flaw on budget copies.
- Press a thumbnail into the leather near the bottom edge. Epsom-style grain springs back; plastic-coated split leather keeps the dent.
- Hold the strap by both ends and let the bag hang. A strap that twists or forms loops has the wrong temper for a rigid body.
- Open the flap and read the interior stamp under bright light. Letter spacing and depth matter more than the words themselves.
- Weigh the hardware in your hand. Constance clasps are solid brass under the plating and feel dense for their size.
- Run a finger along the edge paint. It should be smooth, even, and slightly raised, not tacky or cracked at the curves.
Red flags in wholesale offers
- Photos reused across several sellers, with no shot of the interior or the strap ends
- Prices far below the rest of the market for the same grade
- No reply when you ask for a measurement photo with a ruler in frame
- Claims of "the same factory" with no named leather grade
Legal and shipping notes
Counterfeit goods can be seized and destroyed at the border, and importers may face civil penalties. That risk sits with the buyer and the shipper, not with the brand. Keep records of what you ordered, check your local rules before placing an order, and treat unusually cheap offers with suspicion.