Short answer
The name mixes two brands. The Hermes Constance 24 is a real handbag model. Epi is a Louis Vuitton leather. Hermes does not make the Constance in Epi. A listing for a "Hermes fake Constance 24 epi noir" describes a counterfeit black bag with the wrong leather name attached.
Hermes Constance 24 Epi Noir Replica Guide
Constance 24: the real specs
Hermes dimensions for the Constance 24 are about 24 cm wide, 18 cm high and 6.5 cm deep. The strap is leather and fixed to the body. The flap closes with an enamel or metal "H" clasp. Inside there are two compartments and one zip pocket. Noir means black.
Hermes leathers used on the Constance include Epsom, Togo, Swift, Chevre and Box calf. Epsom is the common choice. It is a stamped calfskin with an embossed grain, low weight and a stiff hand. The bag holds its shape.
Epsom and Epi are not the same
Epsom and Epi are both textured calfskins, which is where the confusion starts. Epsom is Hermes. Epi is Louis Vuitton, introduced in 1985. Epi takes its name from the French word for a wheat sheaf, after the grain pattern pressed into the leather. The two finishes differ in grain depth, sheen and stiffness. A seller who swaps the names is not matching the product.
What "fake" means in a listing
A fake Constance is a counterfeit. In the United States, trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. 2320. Civil liability runs under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit shipments at ports of entry. A buyer who resells a counterfeit as genuine carries the same exposure as the seller.
Details people compare
- Clasp: the "H" hardware on a Constance is enamel or plated metal. The pivot and the letterform are machined.
- Stitching: saddle stitch, slanted, even spacing, linen thread.
- Stamp: "HERMES PARIS" plus a blind date stamp inside.
- Hardware: engraving, weight and color match across the clasp and strap ends.
- Leather: Epsom grain is fine and regular. Epi grain is deeper with a horizontal rib.
What photos cannot show
Photos do not show leather feel, hardware weight, thread type or the interior date stamp. Hermes does not publish retail prices online, so any "retail" figure quoted in a listing is unverified. Secondary market prices move with leather, hardware color and condition.