So, I’ve been doing a little digging, you know? Peeking around on the internet, that kind of thing. And what I’m seeing is… well, it’s a mixed bag. You got the official Valentino site, right? All fancy and slick, talking about “new arrivals” and “high-quality craftsmanship.” Sounds legit, right? They even want you to subscribe to their email list. Tempting. (Not really, my inbox is a disaster zone already).
Then you got places like Saks, which, okay, *they* seem pretty darn legit too. They’re even throwing in free shipping and returns. That’s always a plus. Especially when you’re dropping serious cash on shoes. Because Valentino… yeah, they ain’t cheap.
But then… then you stumble across stuff like CNFans spreadsheets. Which, if you’re anything like me, you’re thinking, “What in the heck is a CNFans spreadsheet?” Turns out, it’s like… a treasure trove of finds, apparently. Over 2000 items listed with QC photos and prices in USD. Hmmm. Makes you wonder if these are the *original* original quality or something else entirely, ya know?
And Jiji.ng? Valentino shoes in Nigeria? Starting from ₦ 26,000? That’s… interesting. To say the least. I’m not even sure *how* that fits into the whole picture. Is it legit? Is it a bargain? Is it something else entirely? I honestly have no idea.
And don’t even get me started on how to tell if Valentino heels are real in 2025! It’s already hard enough now! I bet by 2025 the fakes will be so good that even Valentino themselves won’t be able to tell the difference. Probably gonna need some special light or something, or maybe a secret code only the elites know.
See, this is where things get messy. You got the fancy brands, the resale markets, the “finds” spreadsheets… it’s a whole ecosystem. So, when we’re talking “original quality,” what *are* we really talking about?
My personal opinion? Do your research. *Really* do your research. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Look at the details, the stitching, the leather. Compare it to images on the official Valentino site. And most importantly, trust your gut. If something feels off, walk away.