About the Course

The Hermès Certification course was created by the Authentication Institute of America, lead by senior instructor, Torie Rufolo, who has over a decade of pre-owned luxury handbag experience.

The curriculum is divided into three levels of expertise: 101, 201, and 301.  Each section will focus on a different category for the brand and will consist of videos and quizzes. From the brand's heritage and artisans to date codes and hardware along with materials and sizing, we've included everything you'll need to feel confident in the brand.

The enrollee must complete each module and earn a passing grade of 90% on all exams. The final assignment is a methodology essay, detailing the research, examination, and authentication assessment of selected handbags. The proctor will judge accuracy and mastery of the course content proper to issuing a certificate of completion. 

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Hermès Course Curriculum

Self-Paced Learning

    1. Welcome to the Hermès Certification Course

    2. About the Instructor

    3. How It Works

    4. The Hermès Companion Guide

    5. Disclaimer

    1. Hermès - Artisans since 1837

    2. Module 1: History of the Brand

    3. Module 2: Timeline of Styles

    4. Module 3: Exterior Materials Used

    5. Module 4: Interior Materials Used

    6. Module 5: Hardware Used Over The Years

    7. Hermès Materials Quiz

    8. Module 6: Anatomy of a Handbag

    9. Module 7: Manufacturing Facilities and Artisans

    10. Module 8: How to Read a Date Stamp

    11. Date Code Quiz

    12. Module 9: Basic Counterfeits

    13. Hermès - Six Generations of Artisans

    14. Section 101 Quiz

    1. Module 1: Timeline of Fonts

    2. Module 2: Brand Stamp Fonts

    3. Module 3: Hardware Etching Fonts

    4. Module 4: Craftsman Stamps

    5. Module 5: Special Stamps and Exotics

    6. Module 201: Font/Stamp Quiz

    7. Module 6: Sizes and Styles

    8. Module 7: Intermediate Counterfeits

    9. Section 201 Quiz

    1. Hermès - Training a new generation of artisans

    2. Module 1: Stitching and Construction

    3. Module 2: Hallmarks

    4. Module 3: petite & Spa

    5. Module 4: Collateral

    6. Module 5: Retail Store Experience

    7. Section 301- 5 Question Comprehension Quiz

    8. Module 6: Recent noteworthy brand changes

    9. Module 7: Master Counterfeits

    10. Section 301 Quiz

    1. Hermès Final Essay Instructions

    2. Hermès Final Essay

    1. You Did It!

About this course

  • $399.00
  • 41 lessons
  • 4 hours of video content

Hermès Companion Guide

Available on Amazon

265 pages, the complete Hermes Certification Book is perfect to use as a good as you move through the course and an excellent reference source as you move forward in the pre-owned space.
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Hermès Instructor

Senior Instructor Torie Rufolo

As a luxury resale expert, Victoria (Torie) Rufolo has spent the better part of the past decade studying and authenticating luxury fashion brands. She is deeply passionate about the resale industry and what it offers in terms of sustainability and accessibility with accuracy and authenticity at the forefront of her focus. Victoria has worked with many companies to provide expertise on the resale industry and countless determinations of authenticity. She has also aided in launching authentication programs and providing training for some of the world's top resale platforms. Victoria has created numerous in-depth training materials and extensive digital archives for many luxury brands. On a constant search for information, she spends her free time sourcing and researching vintage catalogs and archives. Victoria is thrilled to be partnering with AIA to help protect the integrity of the fashion industry and ensure that accuracy and authenticity are at the forefront of resale.

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Further your education in pre-owned luxury handbag authentication.

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Disclaimer: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for the “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing. All rights and credit or the luxury brand names contained herein go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright or trademark infringement intended. All information provided in this book, particularly any information relating to the various luxury brand names, is presented for general information purposes only. It should not be considered complete or exhaustive and does not cover all information related to that brand. The author is not acting on behalf of the luxury brands referenced in this book and is only referencing those brand names for educational purposes.